9 Month Baby Feeding Schedule
Last updated April 2026 · Reviewed by Nibli Editorial Team
A simple daily routine for babies eating solids.
By nine months, many babies are eating two to three solid meals each day alongside breastmilk or formula.
Parents often wonder how to balance milk feeds, meals, and snacks during this stage.
The goal is not to follow a strict schedule but to create a simple daily rhythm that allows babies to explore foods while still receiving the nutrition they need from milk feeds.
Example 9 Month Baby Feeding Schedule
- 7:00 - Milk feed
- 8:30 - Breakfast
- 11:30 - Lunch
- 14:30 - Milk feed
- 15:30 - Snack
- 18:00 - Dinner
- 19:30 - Milk feed before bed
At nine months, babies are usually comfortable eating a variety of foods and textures.
Many babies enjoy two to three meals each day with one snack, while still receiving breastmilk or formula.
A Typical Day for a 9 Month Old
Babies may still vary in appetite from day to day. See the full baby feeding schedule for 6–12 months, or compare with the 6 month baby feeding schedule.
Simple Meal Ideas
- • Oatmeal with mashed fruit
- • Scrambled egg with avocado toast fingers
- • Shredded chicken with sweet potato
- • Pasta with soft vegetables
- • Yogurt with fruit
Babies can begin eating more family-style foods at this stage. Adapt your meals by making portions softer and cutting foods into manageable pieces.
Foods to Offer at 9 Months
- • Soft fruits
- • Steamed vegetables
- • Egg
- • Shredded meat
- • Beans and lentils
- • Rice and pasta
- • Toast or pancakes
- • Yogurt and dairy
Explore the full baby led weaning food list for more ideas. Learn how to cut food for baby-led weaning at this stage.
Tips for Feeding Babies at This Stage
Offer three meals per day gradually
If your baby started with one or two meals, add a third when they seem ready. There's no rush.
Include iron-rich foods regularly
Meat, lentils, beans, and eggs support growth. See iron rich foods for babies.
Allow babies to self-feed
Let babies explore, get messy, and decide how much to eat.
Introduce new foods often
Variety is key. Offer different flavors and textures to build healthy eating habits.
Plan Baby Meals with Confidence
Planning daily meals for babies can feel overwhelming as they begin eating more foods.
Nibli creates a personalized feeding schedule based on your baby's age and development stage.
With Nibli you can:
- •see a daily feeding plan
- •discover baby-safe recipes
- •learn how to prepare foods safely
- •track foods your baby has tried
The app helps remove guesswork from daily feeding.
verifiedSources & References
This guide is informed by current guidelines from leading health organizations:
Frequently Asked Questions
What should a 6 month old eat in a day?
At around 6 months babies usually drink breast milk or formula while gradually trying small amounts of solid foods once or twice per day.
How many meals should a 6 month old have?
Many babies start with one or two small meals daily while continuing regular milk feeds.
How much solid food should babies eat?
When starting solids babies may eat only a few spoonfuls. Intake increases gradually as they learn to chew and swallow.
Do babies still need milk after starting solids?
Breast milk or formula remains the main source of nutrition during the first year even after solids are introduced.
What is a typical baby feeding schedule?
A baby feeding schedule often includes several milk feeds and one or more small meals depending on age.
When do babies start eating three meals a day?
Many babies progress to three meals per day sometime between 9 and 12 months as their appetite and skills develop.
Should I feed my baby on a schedule or on demand?
A loose schedule with meals roughly tied to family mealtimes works well for most babies, while milk feeds can stay more responsive. Watch hunger and fullness cues rather than enforcing fixed quantities.
How long after milk should I offer solids?
Many parents offer solids about 30 to 60 minutes after a milk feed so the baby is not too hungry or too full. Adjust timing based on your baby's mood and routine.
Can I give my baby snacks between meals?
From around 9 to 12 months, small snacks between meals can help babies meet their growing energy needs. Choose simple whole foods such as fruit, soft vegetables, or yogurt.
What does a 6 month old feeding schedule with solids and formula look like?
A typical 6-month schedule has 4-5 milk feeds (breast or formula) plus 1-2 small solid meals. For example: 7am milk, 9am solids, 11am milk, 1pm milk, 3pm solids, 5pm milk, 7pm milk before bed. Milk still provides most of baby's calories at this stage.
What does a 7 month old feeding schedule with solids and formula look like?
At 7 months most babies do 4 milk feeds and 2 solid meals. Example: 7am milk, 8:30am breakfast solids, 11am milk, 1pm lunch solids, 3:30pm milk, 6pm small solids and milk before bed. Total 24-32 oz of milk per day.
What does an 8 month old feeding schedule look like?
8-month-olds typically eat 3 solid meals plus 4 milk feeds (24-30 oz total). Schedule: 7am milk and breakfast, 10am milk, 12pm lunch, 2pm milk, 4pm small snack, 5:30pm dinner, 7pm milk before bed.
How many oz of formula should a 6 month old drink per day?
Most 6-month-olds drink about 24-32 oz (700-950 ml) of formula or breast milk per day across 4-5 feeds. As solids increase between 8-12 months, milk intake gradually drops to about 16-24 oz per day.
How long should I wait between solid feeds?
Most babies eat solids every 3-4 hours during the day, mirroring family meal patterns. Don't worry about precise gaps — follow hunger cues. A predictable rhythm of breakfast, lunch, and dinner helps babies recognize hunger and fullness.
What time should I feed my baby solids?
Mid-morning (around 9am) is a popular first solid meal because babies are alert and hungry but not overtired. Once on 2-3 meals, anchor solids to family mealtimes — typically 8am, 12pm, and 5-6pm. Avoid solids within 30 minutes of bedtime.
Can a baby eat too much solid food?
Babies are good at self-regulating in the first year. Stop offering when your baby turns away, closes their mouth, or pushes the spoon away. If a baby consistently overeats and milk feeds drop sharply, talk to your pediatrician.
Should I drop a milk feed when my baby starts solids?
Not at first. Solids complement milk in the first year — they don't replace it. Most babies naturally drop a milk feed between 9-12 months as solids increase. Let your baby lead; never force-drop a feed.
What if my baby is not eating enough solids?
It is normal for new eaters to take only a few spoonfuls. Offer solids consistently 1-3 times per day, vary textures and flavors, and keep meals positive. Most babies eat more by 8-9 months as skills develop. Talk to your pediatrician if growth slows.
Make Baby Feeding Simple
Nibli helps parents confidently introduce new foods and build healthy eating habits from the start.
Try Nibli today to get a personalized feeding schedule and meal ideas for your baby.