How Much Should I Feed My Baby?

When starting solids, one of the most common questions parents have is:

“How much food should my baby actually eat?”

The simple answer: start small and gradually increase as your baby grows.

In the beginning, solids are mainly for learning taste, texture, and eating skills. Breastmilk or formula is still the main source of nutrition during the first year.

6 Months

At this stage babies are just starting solids.

Start with very small portions.

Amount per meal:
• 1–2 tablespoons

Offer once a day initially and slowly increase to 2 meals if the baby is interested.

Your baby may eat very little in the beginning — and that’s completely normal.

7 – 8 Months

By now babies usually become more comfortable with solids and may show more interest in food.

Amount per meal:
• Around ¼ of a 250 ml bowl

You can usually offer 2 meals per day, along with regular milk feeds.

9 – 10 Months

Babies at this stage start eating better and exploring more textures.

Amount per meal:
• Around ½ of a 250 ml bowl

Most babies can have 3 meals a day at this stage.

11 – 12 Months

Babies are now much more confident eaters and their appetite increases.

Amount per meal:
• Around ¾ of a 250 ml bowl

You can offer 3 meals + 1–2 small snacks along with milk feeds.

What If My Baby Finishes Everything?

Some babies have a bigger appetite.

If your baby finishes the entire portion and still seems hungry:

You can offer another serving with about half of the original quantity.

For example:

• If the portion was ¼ bowl, offer another ⅛ bowl
• If the portion was ½ bowl, offer another ¼ bowl

Always follow your baby’s hunger cues.

Remember

Every baby’s appetite is different.

Some days they may eat more, some days less — and that’s completely normal.

What matters most is consistent exposure to healthy foods and allowing your baby to explore eating at their own pace.