9 - 11 month old baby feeding schedule: How much should a 9 - 11 month old eat?
Your baby is moving toward toddlerhood and you may be feeling that in terms of feeding. Many babies at this age are decreasing their breast milk and/or formula intake and increasing their solid food intake — which is great! Keep reading for all you need to know about this period of feeding your 9 - 11 month old.
IN THIS ARTICLE:
9 to 11 month old baby sample feeding schedule
How much to feed a 9 to 11 month: Food chart
Tips for feeding your 9 to 11 month old baby
Night feedings at 9 to 11 month olds
Takeaway: Feeding 9 to 11 month olds
9 to 11 month old feeding schedule FAQ
9 to 11 month old baby sample feeding schedules
The following example can help you plan your baby’s feeding schedule from about 9 to 11 months of age. Use it as a guide to find what best suits your baby’s needs and remember schedules are meant to be flexible when needed. Do what’s best for your baby and your family and you’ll be set up for success.
9 month sample feeding schedule
| 6:30 AM | Nurse or bottle (wake up) |
| 8:45 AM | Nurse or bottle |
| 11:00/11:30 AM | Solids |
| 1:30 PM | Nurse or bottle |
| 4:30 PM | Nurse or bottle |
| 5:00 PM | Solids |
| 6:30 PM | Nurse or bottle (before bed) |
10 month sample feeding schedule
| 6:30 AM | Nurse or bottle (wake up) |
| 8:30 AM | Solids |
| 10:45 AM | Nurse or bottle |
| 1:30 PM | Solids |
| 3:30 PM | Nurse or bottle |
| 5:00 PM | Solids |
| 6:30 PM | Nurse or bottle (before bed) |
11 month sample feeding schedule
| 6:30 AM | Nurse or bottle (wake up) |
| 8:30 AM | Solids |
| 11:00 AM | Nurse or bottle |
| 1:30 PM | Solids |
| 3:30 PM | Nurse or bottle |
| 5:00 PM | Solids |
| 6:45 PM | Nurse or bottle (before bed) |
How much to feed a 9 to 11 month: Food chart
As your baby gets closer to toddlerhood, they start to eat more solid food and gradually decrease their intake of formula and/or breast milk. However, liquid feedings will still provide important nutrition until they turn one. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends 24 ounces (720 mL) of breast milk or formula per day at this age. Since your baby will have individualized factors (like their specific height and weight), be sure to speak to your medical provider, lactation consultant, or dietitian if you have questions or concerns regarding the appropriate amount to feed your baby.
Your baby’s typical day will probably include offering two to three solid food meals a day as well as 3 - 5 nursing sessions or bottles. When it comes to solids, the goal will be to move toward eating mostly finger foods.
Example 9 - 11 month feeding chart
| Wake-up: | Breast milk or formula |
| Breakfast: | Scrambled eggs, toast, banana pieces |
| Mid-morning: | Breast milk or formula |
| Lunch: | Avocado mashed on crackers, blackberries |
| Mid-afternoon: | Breast milk or formula |
| Dinner: | Pasta and meatballs |
| Before bed: | Breast milk or formula |
Tips for feeding your 9 to 11 month old baby
Try new textures
As your baby becomes a more confident eater, they may be ready to start exploring some new textures. Until now, all food should have been very soft. But now, your little one can try foods that are a little harder such as roasted veggies. Offer this new texture and see how your baby reacts. Keep advancing textures as they are ready.
Find teething relief
Teething can impact how much your baby eats, especially when it comes to solid foods. Many parents find their baby prefers formula or breast milk during teething and that’s OK! You can offer relief with cool foods such as smoothies, homemade popsicles, or frozen fruit in a mesh feeder.
Encourage self-feeding
Babies around 9 - 11 months old should be eating primarily small, cut-up finger foods over purees. This means we want to encourage a focus on self-feeding more and more. This will allow your baby to develop important motor skills as well as allow them to eat the amount of food that is appropriate for them.
Avoid eating on the move
Babies at this age want to be on the move! Whether they are rolling, crawling, or walking, it can be hard to get them to sit still for a meal. However, the high chair is the safest place for them to eat. Avoid letting them eat while playing as moving around while eating increases the risk of choking.
Continue serving breast milk and formula
Breast milk and formula still remain the most important source of nutrition for your baby until they are one year old. So while it may be tempting to switch it out for cow’s milk or alternative milk, it’s not quite time. It is normal for the amount of breast milk or formula to decrease as solid food intake increases, but it doesn’t mean it should be done altogether.
Night feedings at 9 to 11 month olds
At 9 to 11 months, many babies can sleep through the night, usually about 11 to 12 hours at night. It helps if your baby has developed independent sleeping skills and gets enough to eat during the day. However, some babies have a hard time going 12 or more hours in between their last feeding and breakfast and will sleep better and longer with an early morning feeding (around 3:00 - 5:00 AM). Unless directed to by your pediatrician, there’s no need to wake your baby up to eat at this age.
Takeaway: Feeding 9 to 11 month olds
Feeding your 9 - 11 month old is an exciting time! They are discovering more foods and can participate in family meal time. Keep encouraging them to self-feed, try new foods, and focus on mealtime safety.
9 to 11 month old feeding schedule FAQ
Q: How often should a 9 - 11 month old eat?
A:
Babies at 9 - 11 months old have varying appetites but they should typically eat every 2 - 4 hours. This includes formula, breast milk, and solid food meals. It’s recommended to offer liquid feeds at least 30 minutes before solid food to make sure they are getting the nutrition they need.
Q: How long between feeds can a 9 - 11 month old go?
A:
A 9 - 11 month old can usually go 3 - 4 hours between feeds during the day and typically can sleep for longer stretches at night without a feeding. Your baby may go for a little longer between feeds if they are eating solid foods in between as well.
Q: Can you drop night feeds at 9 - 11 months?
A:
Most 9 - 11 month olds do not need to eat throughout the night like they used to. That being said, some babies still do sleep better with an early morning feed. Overall, if you’d like to drop night feeds, it is typically ok at this age.
Q: Why is my 9 - 11 month old eating less than usual?
A:
At 9 - 11 months your baby’s appetite can vary quite a bit. So if they are eating less than usual, it will typically pass within a few days to a week. Look for other signs too such as not feeling well, teething, or being overly tired.
Q: What is a 9 - 11 month nursing strike?
A:
A nursing strike occurs when a baby who was nursing normally suddenly stops. This usually is not an indicator of wanting to wean, but rather of another challenge. Your baby may be sick, teething or milk production may be low.
Q: Is 30 oz of formula in a 24 hour period too much for a 9 - 11 month old?
A:
The recommended amount for an individual child will be determined by weight and height. Depending on a child’s size, 30oz of formula in a 24-hour period may be appropriate for a 9 - 11 month old baby. At this age, babies still rely on formula or breast milk for the majority of their nutrition.
Q: Is 4 breast milk feedings a day enough for a 9 - 11 month old?
A:
Yes, 4 feeds a day is likely enough for a 9 - 11 month old. Typically, babies at this age eat around 3 - 5 feeds a day. Follow your baby’s hunger and fullness cues to make sure they are eating enough for their own unique needs.
Note: The content on this site is for informational purposes only and should not replace medical advice from your doctor, pediatrician, or medical professional. If you have questions or concerns, you should contact a medical professional.
