9 month old feeding schedule
By 9 months most babies are on three solid meals a day alongside 3 to 5 milk feeds. Solids start to contribute real nutrition now, particularly iron, and the pincer grasp makes smaller pieces possible.
| Time | Feed | What that looks like |
|---|---|---|
| 7:00 | Milk | On waking. |
| 8:00 | Breakfast | Porridge with mashed fruit, or an omelette strip and toast fingers. |
| 10:00 | Milk | Before the morning nap. |
| 12:00 | Lunch | A protein, a vegetable and a carbohydrate — for example broccoli fritters and soft pear. |
| 14:30 | Milk | After the afternoon nap. |
| 17:00 | Dinner | A version of the family meal, before salt is added. |
| 19:00 | Milk | Bedtime feed. |
Milk at 9 months
3 to 5 breastfeeds, or roughly 500 to 700ml of formula. Milk is still important but takes up less of the day.
Solid meals at 9 months
Three meals, plus a snack if your baby wants one. Include an iron-rich food at two meals a day.
Nine months is when iron becomes the thing worth paying attention to. Soft red meat, eggs, beans, lentils and fortified oats all help, and serving them with a vitamin C food such as pepper or fruit improves absorption.
Common questions
How much should a 9 month old eat at each meal?
Roughly a quarter to a half of an adult portion, but appetite swings a lot day to day. Offer the food, let your baby decide the amount.
Should I drop a milk feed at 9 months?
Usually milk feeds fall away on their own as solids increase. There is no need to force it before 12 months.
What if my baby refuses meals?
Common at this age, especially when teething or on the move. Keep offering without pressure. Look at the whole week rather than one meal.
Medically reviewed by TODO REVIEWER NAME, RD, pediatric dietitian — last reviewed . See our editorial and review policy.