by Dana Simkins
Are you just starting solids with your baby? Confused about when, what and how much to offer? I thought it might be helpful to share some Baby Led Weaning Sample Feeding Schedules beginning at 6 months of age (the recommended age to start solid foods by the American Academy of Pediatrics). Of course, every child is different so keep in mind that exact times may vary based on napping schedules and appetite.
If you’re curious about the basics of Baby Led Weaning and want more information about when baby is ready to start eating, check out myIntro to Baby Led Weaning .
A Note about Portion Sizes:
I’m often asked how much babies should be eating at this age. There is no “should”, since breast milk/formula provides all of the necessary nutrients for your baby until 1 year of age. The amount they will actually consume varies widely from child to child, especially with Baby Led Weaning.
One of the key things about Baby Led Weaning is that baby is able to regulate his own appetite. You’ll notice that breast milk or formula is always offered prior to solid foods in this schedule. This is because, as noted above, breast milk/formula is baby’s primary source of nutrition until his first birthday.
When is Baby Done Eating?
Offer small amounts of food at a time and watch baby for signs of fullness. If baby slows eating or starts throwing food on the floor, this is a signal that he’s had enough. Because babies can get overwhelmed easily, I like to offer one piece of food at a time. Aside from keeping baby focused, this also ensures you are paying adequate attention to baby throughout mealtime.
At 6 months, baby will likely notconsume very much food and that’s okay. The main goal at this age is to get your little one started with self-feeding and have her learn to move food around in the mouth and begin chewing. Yes, baby can chew without teeth! Offer a bit at a time until your baby seems satisfied, or until she starts throwing food on the floor! Keep in mind, baby’s schedule at 6 months isvery flexible. 3 meals a day are not required at this age, and you can opt to only offer solids in the morning or evening if you prefer (see schedule above). If baby seems a bit hungrier and is really taking to eating solids right away, go ahead and move to 2 solid meals a day. Follow your baby’s lead!
How Much Milk Should Baby Drink?
It’s tough to pinpoint an exact number of ounces of milk your baby should be drinking whether it be breast milk or formula since babies appetites vary. A good estimate is approximately 2.5 oz. of milk per pound of body weight. So if your baby weighs 12 lbs. they would need approximately 30 oz. of milk per day. The general rule is to not exceed 32 oz. of milk per day. This will gradually decrease as baby starts to eat more and more solids. Babycenter has a great guide to regulating milk intake here.
If you want more individualized advice, feel free to contact me and set up a free consultation to discuss your child! Every baby is different and feeding is not a one-schedule-fits-all activity.
A Note about Nighttime Feedings:
In an ideal world baby will sleep from 7pm-7am without feeding, but more than likely your little one will still be up once or twice a night to feed, especially if you are breastfeeding. Discuss with your pediatrician whether your baby is ready to drop these nighttime feedings and ask about sleep training techniques you can employ to get her sleeping through the night (if she isn’t already).
The 9-Month Shift:
At around 9 months of age, baby will likely be eating with more purpose. By this time, he has developed the “pincer grasp” and is able to pick up small pieces of food with thumb and forefinger. This usually means the mess will lessen (a bit!) since he is able to pick up one piece of food at a time and deliver it to his mouth. Foods like blueberries, peas, and diced carrots are great to offer and will help him to master this skill.
9 months of age usually means baby is now only taking 2 naps per day and has started to eat more solids and drink less milk. I still think it’s a good idea to offer the same amount of milk and let baby regulate what he consumes. Take note of how much you have left over and reduce feeds over time as needed. If you’re breastfeeding, baby will shorten feeds naturally over time.
What do you think?
Did you find these Baby Led Weaning Sample Schedules helpful? Let me know! I’d love to hear from you. Have you tried Baby Led Weaning with your children? What sort of schedules did you adhere to during the first year? Share your experience in the comments below! I’m sure other moms would greatly benefit from your experience.
