Baby’s Nutritional Needs – Month by Month Baby Feeding Guide (0-12+ Months)

Everything You Need to Know About Feeding Your Baby

Babies grow quickly in the first year of life, so they need plenty of energy and nutrients. A child’s growth isn’t always steady and even, which means that appetite and hunger can be unpredictable.The amounts of foods eaten by your baby and their interest in food may be a little different from day to day. This is normal and shouldn’t cause any concerns if your baby is growing well.

In this article, we will provide you with a month-to-month feeding guide for all your baby’s nutritional needs, including:

• Developmental development
• Hunger & fullness cues
• Feeding tips
• Feeding schedule
• Diaper counts
• Sample menus

0-6 Months Feeding Guide

Baby’s first source of nutrition: Breast milk

Breastfeeding is recommended exclusively during the first 6 months of baby’s life, and continued for up to 2 years of age and beyond. Along with being a special bonding moment, breastfeeding has many nutritional benefits:

• Provides the optimal balance of nutrients
• Contains vitamins, minerals, proteins, and more – like probiotics (good bacteria) that help support healthy gut flora
• Promotes the development of a strong immune system

Expressing breast milk is an option once you’re comfortable with breastfeeding. Having some breast milk stored allows you to share feeding times with a partner or caregiver.

Developmental Milestones

• During months 1 and 2, your baby would have limited or no head control
• As you do more tummy time exercises with your baby, he/she will slowly lift head and chest, using forearms for support, when placed on tummy
• By month 4, your baby should have strong head control
• By month 5-6, your baby should be able to sit up with support and uses hands to reach, grasp, bang, splash, and wipe at objects

Hunger & Fullness Cues

At this age, if your baby is hungry, he/she will show the following hunger signs:

• Opens mouth when nipple brushes lips or when cheek is stroked
• Roots for nipple, a reflex that encourages latching and promotes healthy feeding
• May bring fingers or hands to mouth
• Cries as a late sign of being very hungry

If your baby is full, he/she will show the following fullness signs:

• Releases nipple
• Slows down or stops sucking
• May fall asleep

Feeding Schedule

As your baby’s stomach is tiny, so small, frequent feedings are best (8-12 per day or every 1-3 hours). As baby gets bigger, the number of feedings may decrease to between 4 and 6 per day.

Diaper Counts

In the first 2 months, a baby will have roughly 3-4 soiled diapers and 6 wet diapers per day. Diaper patterns vary from baby to baby. Keeping a diary will help you track what is normal for your baby.

6-8 Months Feeding Guide

Developmental Milestones

At 6-8 months, your baby might show the following developmental milestones:

• Sit independently and in a high chair
• Uses fingers to rake objects or food closer
• Drinks from a cup with help to hold it
• Gets first teeth
• Rocks front to back and back to front at around 8 months

Hunger & Fullness Cues

At this age, if your baby is hungry, he/she will show the following hunger signs:

• Shows excitement when food is presented
• Opens mouth wide and leans toward spoon
• Fusses as a late sign of being very hungry

If your baby is full, he/she will show the following fullness signs:

• Gets distracted easily and looks elsewhere
• Leans back, clenches mouth turns head or pushes away from the nipple or food

Time for Solids

At about 6 months, your baby has used most of the iron he/she received from you (mom). Health Canada recommends introducing solids at this age. Baby’s first foods should be rich in iron. Try meats, meat alternatives, baby cereals that are iron-fortified, etc.

Feeding Schedule

At 6-8 months, you should work towards offering nutritious complementary foods in 2-3 feedings, and 1-2 snacks each day. Pay close attention to your little one’s hunger cues.

As your baby starts to explore new foods, you can progress from sing-ingredient purees to richer tastes and different textures. It can take up to 10 tries with a new food for your baby to give it a go. Don’t give up!

Diaper Counts

Starting solid foods can change the color and texture of baby’s stools. It can also change how often baby has bowel movements. If stools are soft and easy to pass, there is no need for concern.

6-8 Months Sample Menu

Early morning: Breast milk

Breakfast: 1-2 tbsp iron-fortified baby cereal, 1-2 tbsp pureed fruit (i.e. peaches or pears)

Morning snack: Breast milk

Lunch: Breast milk, 1-4 tbsp pureed meat, 1-4 tbsp pureed vegetables

Afternoon snack: Breast milk

Dinner: Breast milk, 1-2 tbsp pureed vegetables, 1-2 tbsp of iron-fortified baby cereal, 1-2 tbsp pureed fruit

Bedtime: Breast milk

8-12 Months Feeding Guide

Developmental Milestones

At 8-12 months, your baby might show the following developmental milestones:

• Starts to crawl with tummy off the floor
• May be able to pull up to standing
• Pincer grasp (thumb and forefinger) develops and is used to self-feed finger foods
• Begins using gums to mash food

Hunger & Fullness Cues

At this age, if your baby is hungry, he/she will show the following hunger signs:

• Puts fingers in mouth and gets fussy
• Reaches for food and shows excitement when hungry

If your baby is full, he/she will show the following fullness signs:

• Turns head or bats spoon away from the mouth
• Clamps lips shut and stop opening mouth

Solid Tips

At 8-12 months, you want to start introducing more textures and varieties of solids to your baby to build on flavor and variety. Foods can now be chopped, minced, and/or grated rather than purred. Finger foods are fun and important to encourage self-feeding as well.

Homogenized (3.25%) cow’s milk can now be introduced, once your baby is eating a variety of iron-rich foods such as iron-fortified baby cereal, meats, and meat alternatives.

Feeding Schedule

At this point, your baby should be eating 3 main meals a day with 1-2 snacks each day depending on your baby’s appetite. In addition, 2-4 feedings of breast milk / homogenized milk should be included.

Diaper Counts

Babies who eat a variety of food will pass stools that vary in color and consistency. New foods such as fruits and vegetables may result in softer stools of different colors. For example, a baby who eats green vegetables may pass green stools.

8-12 Months Sample Menu

Early morning: Breast milk

Breakfast: 2-4 tbsp of iron-fortified, multi-grain baby cereal, 2-4 tbsp of mashed or soft bite-sized pieces of fruits (i.e. unsweetened applesauce or chopped strawberries)

Morning snack: 2-4 tbsp of blueberries cut in half, 1-2 tbsp of grated cheese, 2-4 tbsp of unsweetened puffed cereal

Lunch: Breast milk, 2-3 tbsp of chopped chicken, 3-4 tbsp of green peas (cooked soft and mashed), 1/4 – 1/2 slice of whole grain bread (cut into strips)

Afternoon snack: 2-3 tbsp of hard-boiled egg (chopped), 2-4 tbsp of iron-fortified multi-grain baby cereal

Dinner: Breast milk, 2-3 tbsp of salmon or char (deboned, cooked, and flaked), 1-4 tbsp of steamed brown rice, 3-4 tbsp mashed sweet potatoes, 2-4 tbsp of canned peaches (chopped)

Bedtime: Breast milk

12+ Months Feeding Guide

Developmental Milestones

At 12+ months, your toddler might show the following developmental milestones:

• Stands alone and begins to walk
• Self-feeds easily with fingers
• Learns to use a child-safe spoon and fork
• May drink from an open cup and can take 2 or more swallows in succession

Hunger & Fullness Cues

At this age, if your toddler is hungry, he/she will show the following hunger signs:

• Expresses desire for food with words, sounds, or gestures
• Leads you to the fridge or cupboard, points to desired foods

If your toddler is full, he/she will show the following fullness signs:

• Shakes head to say no more
• Uses phrases like ‘all done’, ‘no more’, ‘get down’
• Becomes easily distracted or playful with food

Feeding Schedule

At this point, your baby should be eating 3 main meals a day plus 2 snacks of solid foods, as well as 2-3 cups of breast milk or whole cow’s milk.

While toddlers thrive on routine, your little one’s appetite will vary. Provide a sense of structure with regular meal times and familiar utensils, but listen to their hunger and fullness cues. Keep things fun by continuing to introduce new foods.

12+ Months Sample Menu

Breakfast: 4-6 tbsp of iron-fortified, multi-grain toddler cereal, 1/3 medium banana (sliced), breast milk or 1 cup of homogenized (3.25% M.F.) cow’s milk

Morning snack: 1/2 slice whole-grain toast (cut into strips), smooth nut butter (thinly spread on toast)

Lunch: 1 egg (scrambled), 3-4 tbsp of red and green peppers (cut into strips), 2-3 pieces of whole-grain tortilla (cut into strips), hummus spread on tortilla

Afternoon snack: 2-4 tbsp of yogurt or cottage cheese, 2-4 tbsp of cantaloupe or honeydew melon

Dinner: 2-3 tbsp of salmon or char (deboned, cooked, and flaked), 1-4 tbsp of steamed brown rice, 3-4 tbsp mashed sweet potatoes, 2-4 tbsp of canned peaches (chopped)

Bedtime: Breast milk or 1 cup of homogenized #3.25 M. F.) cow’s milk

*Remember to offer water regularly to quench your baby’s thirst