Baby Feeding by Age: A Simple 6–12 Month Guide
Updated September 2025 · 6 min read
From around 6 months, babies start solids once a day alongside their usual milk, building to two then three meals a day by about 8–9 months, with milk still their main drink. By 12 months, most babies eat three meals plus snacks and can join family food. Let your baby’s appetite guide portions — offer food, but let them decide how much to eat.
- 6–7 months: 1 meal a day building to 2, milk still the main source.
- 8–9 months: around 3 meals a day, more textures and finger foods.
- 10–12 months: 3 meals plus snacks, moving toward family food.
- Milk stays important all year; let appetite guide portions.
How feeding changes over the first year
Starting solids is a gradual build, not a switch. Milk stays central all the way to 12 months while food slowly takes on a bigger role. These are typical patterns — every baby is different, so follow your baby’s cues rather than a rigid schedule.
Around 6–7 months: getting started
Begin with one small “meal” a day, offered when your baby is happy, alongside their usual milk feeds. Focus on smooth or soft foods and exploring tastes. Build up to two meals a day as your baby gets the hang of it.
Around 8–9 months: finding a rhythm
Most babies move to about three meals a day, with a wider range of foods and more texture — mashed and soft lumps, plus finger foods to practise self-feeding. Milk feeds continue but may gradually reduce a little as food increases.
Around 10–12 months: joining in
Three meals a day plus one or two healthy snacks is typical, with your baby eating more of the same food as the family (just without added salt, sugar or choking hazards). Offer a cup of water with meals, and let your baby practise drinking from an open or free-flow cup.
How much should they eat?
Portion sizes vary hugely and change day to day. The reliable approach is “you offer, your baby decides.” Offer a variety of healthy foods and let your baby’s appetite set the amount — babies are usually good at regulating how much they need. Appetite dips during illness or teething are normal.
A note on milk
Breast milk or formula remains your baby’s main drink throughout the first year. Whole cow’s milk can become a main drink from 12 months, though dairy foods like yoghurt and cheese are fine from six months.
Frequently asked questions
How many times a day should a 6-month-old eat solids?
Start with about one small meal a day and build up to two, always alongside their usual milk feeds. Milk is still the main source of nutrition at this stage.
How much should my baby eat?
It varies a lot and changes daily. Offer a variety of healthy foods and let your babyu2019s appetite decide the amount u2014 the u201cyou offer, baby decidesu201d approach works well.
When can my baby eat family food?
By around 10u201312 months, most babies can eat much of the same food as the family, prepared without added salt or sugar and avoiding choking hazards.
Sources
Feeding and safety guidance in this article reflects the recommendations of bodies such as the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the UK’s NHS. It is general information, not medical or dietary advice — always follow the guidance of your own paediatrician, health visitor or a registered dietitian, especially if your baby has allergies, reflux or any health condition.