FEEDING 9-12 MONTHS 

It’s very common to wonder if your baby is eating enough especially as solids increase and milk feedings change. At 9–12 months, babies are learning to eat a wider variety of foods while still getting important nutrition from breast milk or formula.

The American Academy of Pediatrics reminds parents that appetite can vary day to day, and that’s normal.

Signs your baby is getting enough to eat:

Steady growth

• Your baby is gaining weight and growing along their own growth curve
• Your healthcare provider is satisfied with their growth at checkups

Regular wet and dirty diapers

• Several wet diapers each day
• Regular bowel movements (patterns can change with solid foods)

Good energy and development

• Alert, active, and curious
• Meeting developmental milestones
• Engaged during play and interactions

Interest in food:

• Eats a mix of breast milk or formula and solid foods
• Shows hunger cues (reaching for food, opening mouth, excitement at meals)
• Shows fullness cues (turning away, closing mouth, pushing food away)

What eating usually looks like at this age:

Most babies 9–12 months:

• Still drink breast milk or formula
• Eat solid foods 2–3 meals a day, often with snacks
• Are learning to self-feed with fingers
• Eat different amounts at different meals

Some days your baby may eat a lot. Other days, much less. Both are normal.

Trust fullness cues:

Babies are good at knowing when they’re full.

Signs your baby is done eating:

• Turns head away
• Pushes food away
• Closes mouth
• Loses interest in eating

It’s okay to stop feeding when you see these signs.

When to talk to a healthcare provider:

Reach out if:

• Your baby is not gaining weight or seems to be losing weight
• You notice very few wet diapers
• Your baby consistently refuses most foods
• Feeding feels stressful or confusing
• You have concerns about milk intake or solids

Your provider can help guide feeding choices and offer reassurance.

You don’t need to count bites or measure every meal. Offering balanced foods, responding to hunger and fullness cues, and keeping mealtimes calm helps your baby build a healthy relationship with food.

If you’re unsure, it’s always okay to ask for help.

Citations:

American Academy of Pediatrics. (2023). Feeding and nutrition: Your baby’s first year.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Infant nutrition. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.

World Health Organization. (2023). Complementary feeding.

Zero to Three. (2023). Feeding development: 9–12 months.

At 9–12 months, babies are learning to balance milk feedings with solid foods. Some days they may eat more, and other days less. This is normal. What matters most is offering regular meals and responding to your baby’s cues.

The American Academy of Pediatrics reminds families that babies are good at knowing when they are hungry and when they are full.

How often babies usually eat at this age:

Most babies 9–12 months:

• Drink breast milk or formula 3–4 times a day
• Eat solid foods 3 meals a day
• May have 1–2 small snacks

Your baby may eat different amounts at each meal. That’s okay.

Signs your baby is hungry:

Your baby may show hunger by:

• Reaching for food or opening their mouth
• Leaning toward food or watching others eat
• Getting excited when food is offered
• Making sounds or babbling during meals
• Becoming fussy when meals are delayed

Crying is usually a late hunger cue.

Signs your baby is full:

Your baby may show they are done by:

• Turning their head away
• Closing their mouth
• Pushing food away
• Dropping food on the floor
• Losing interest in eating

When you see these signs, it’s okay to stop feeding.

Milk still matters:

Breast milk or formula remains an important source of nutrition through the first year. Solid foods are meant to add to, not replace, milk feedings during this time.

A gentle reminder:

You don’t need to count ounces or bites. Offering a variety of foods, keeping mealtimes calm, and following your baby’s hunger and fullness cues helps build healthy eating habits.

If you ever feel unsure, your healthcare provider can help guide you.

Citations:

American Academy of Pediatrics. (2023). Feeding and nutrition: Your baby’s first year.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Infant nutrition and feeding. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.

World Health Organization. (2023). Complementary feeding.

Zero to Three. (2023). Feeding development: 9–12 months.

At 9–12 months, babies are learning how to eat a wide variety of foods while still getting important nutrition from breast milk or formula. This stage is about practice, exposure, and exploration, not perfection.

The American Academy of Pediatrics encourages offering a variety of textures and flavors while following your baby’s cues.

Milk still matters

Breast milk or formula should continue through the first year and remain a main source of nutrition.

Most babies at this age:

• Drink breast milk or formula 3–4 times per day
• Eat solid foods at meals and snacks alongside milk

(Whole cow’s milk is usually introduced after 12 months, unless your provider says otherwise.)

Foods to offer at 9–12 months:

Your baby can eat many of the same foods as your family, as long as they are soft, safe, and cut appropriately.

Fruits

• Soft banana slices
• Mashed or diced avocado
• Soft-cooked apples or pears
• Berries cut into small pieces

Vegetables

• Steamed carrots, sweet potatoes, or squash
• Soft peas or green beans
• Mashed or finely chopped broccoli
• Cooked spinach or zucchini

Grains

• Oatmeal
• Soft pasta pieces
• Rice
• Toast strips (lightly toasted and cut)
• Whole grain cereals softened with milk

Protein foods

• Shredded or finely chopped chicken or turkey
• Flaked fish (check carefully for bones)
• Scrambled or hard-cooked eggs (cut small)
• Beans or lentils (mashed or soft)
• Tofu

Dairy (small amounts):

• Plain yogurt
• Cottage cheese (small curds)

Finger foods are important:

At this age, babies are learning to feed themselves.

Good finger foods:

• Soft foods your baby can mash with their gums
• Small pieces they can pick up easily
• Foods cut into pea-sized pieces or thin strips

Self-feeding helps build coordination and confidence.

Foods to avoid:

For safety, avoid:

• Whole nuts
• Popcorn
• Grapes (unless cut into quarters lengthwise)
• Hot dogs (unless finely chopped)
• Hard chunks of raw fruits or vegetables
• Honey (until after 12 months)

Always supervise your baby while eating.

Follow your baby’s cues:

Your baby will let you know how much they want to eat.

Signs of hunger:

• Reaching for food
• Opening mouth
• Leaning toward food

Signs of fullness:

• Turning head away
• Pushing food away
• Closing mouth

Trust these signals.

A gentle reminder:

Your baby doesn’t need fancy meals. Simple, nutritious foods offered regularly help build healthy habits. Some days your baby may eat more, other days less both are normal.

If you have questions or concerns, your healthcare provider can help guide you.

Citations: 

American Academy of Pediatrics. (2023). Feeding and nutrition: Your baby’s first year.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Infant and toddler nutrition. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.

World Health Organization. (2023). Complementary feeding.

Zero to Three. (2023). Feeding development: 9–12 months.