At 6–9 months, babies get most of their nutrition from breast milk or formula, while solids become an added source of nutrients, especially iron. The American Academy of Pediatrics notes that babies this age show very clear signs of hunger, fullness, and healthy growth.

Here’s how to tell your baby is eating enough:

Steady growth on the growth chart:

Your pediatrician will track your baby’s weight, length, and head circumference using WHO growth standards.

Signs of good intake:

• Following a steady growth curve
• Gaining weight at a consistent pace
• Staying alert and meeting developmental milestones

A slow week during illness or teething is normal; patterns over time matter most.

Enough wet and dirty diapers:

According to the CDC, full diapers continues to be a reliable sign of good nutrition:

Wet diapers:

• Usually 4–6+ per day

Dirty diapers:

• Frequency varies widely at this age, especially once solids begin
• What matters more: soft or formed stools, not hard pellets

If diapers dramatically decrease, call your baby’s clinician.

Baby seems satisfied after feeds

Well-fed babies often show these cues:

• Relaxed hands and body
• Slowing down or stopping sucking
• Turning away from the bottle/breast
• Showing interest in play instead of food
• Calm, alert wake times

The AAP reinforces that babies who are content after most feeding sessions are usually getting enough.

Eating solids with interest

Around this age, many babies show excitement when offered foods, lean forward in the high chair, or open their mouths for bites. Signs your baby is getting enough include:

• Trying a variety of textures and flavors
• Taking several spoonfuls or small handfuls of food
• Showing clear fullness cues, such as pushing food away

The CDC notes that solids supplement milk not replace it until age 1.

Positive hunger and fullness cues

From the AAP and La Leche League International:

Hunger cues:

• Reaching for food
• Leaning forward
• Opening mouth when food approaches
• Making sucking motions
• Excited body language
• Bringing hands to mouth

Fullness cues:

• Turning head away
• Closing mouth
• Pushing food away
• Getting distracted
• Arching back or fussing

Following cues helps your baby build healthy eating habits

Your baby is meeting milestones and thriving

Well-fed babies at 6–9 months typically:

• Show curiosity and engagement
• Roll, sit, or begin crawling
• Sleep predictable stretches
• Stay alert and active during awake times

If your baby is energetic, playful, and hitting milestones, they are likely eating enough.

When to call your pediatrician

Reach out if your baby:

• Has significantly fewer wet diapers
• Seems listless or overly sleepy
• Shows no interest in feeding
• Has hard, pellet-like stools consistently
• Is not gaining weight
• Is fussy after nearly every meal

Trust your instincts and you know your baby best.

Citations:

American Academy of Pediatrics. (2023). Feeding and nutrition for your baby

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). How much and how often babies eat.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Infant and toddler nutrition: Foods and drinks.

La Leche League International. (2023). Hunger cues.

World Health Organization. (2023). Child growth standards.

Between 6–9 months, your baby is still getting most of their nutrition from breast milk or formula, but they’re also learning to eat solid foods. Feeding becomes more flexible at this age, with babies showing clearer hunger and fullness cues. Respond to your baby’s cues while offering regular opportunities to eat.

How often:

Breastfed or formula-fed babies

Most 6–9 month-olds typically:

• Have 4–6 milk feeds per day, spaced every 3–5 hours
• Continue to drink 24–32 oz/day of breast milk or formula
  Solid foods

Once solids are introduced (usually around 6 months), many babies eat:

• 2–3 solid meals per day, plus milk feeds
• Small amounts at first exploring textures matters 
• Iron-rich foods are especially important (meat, beans, cereals)

The CDC emphasizes continuing milk as the primary nutrition source until age 1.

Growth spurts

Around 6, 8, and 9 months, babies may:

• Want more frequent feeds
• Wake more often to eat
• Seek extra comfort feeding

This is normal and temporary.

How to know your baby is hungry (hunger cues)

Hunger cues become more obvious at 6–9 months. According to the AAP and La Leche League International, babies may show:

Early cues (before crying):

• Reaching toward food
• Opening mouth when food or bottle approaches
• Leaning forward in the high chair
• Smiling or getting excited when they see food
• Bringing hands to mouth
• Making sucking or smacking sounds
• Increased alertness or wiggling

Late cues:

• Fussiness or crying
• Turning quickly toward breast or bottle
• Trying to grab food urgently

Feeding is usually smoother and calmer when you respond to early cues.

How to know your baby is full (fullness cues)

Babies this age also show clear signs when they’ve had enough:

• Turning head away
• Closing mouth
• Slowing or stopping eating
• Pushing food away
• Getting distracted or wanting to leave the high chair
• Relaxed body language

The CDC encourages letting babies stop eating when they’re full and don’t force extra bites or ounces.

Simple feeding rhythm for 6–9 months

A common pattern (every baby is different!):

• Morning milk feed
• Breakfast solids
• Midday milk feed
• Lunch solids
• Afternoon milk feed
• Dinner solids
• Bedtime milk feed

Follow your baby’s lead routine is helpful, but cues matter more than the clock.

Citations:

American Academy of Pediatrics. (2023). Feeding and nutrition for your baby.

American Academy of Pediatrics. (2023). Starting solid foods.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Infant and toddler nutrition: Foods and drinks.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). How much and how often babies eat.

La Leche League International. (2023). Hunger cues.

World Health Organization. (2023). Complementary feeding: When and how to introduce solids.

Most babies are ready to start solids at around 6 months.
The American Academy of Pediatrics and the CDC both recommend waiting until your baby shows the signs of readiness not just going by age alone.

Signs your baby is ready for solids:

Your baby may be ready when they can:

1. Sit up with support

They should be able to hold their head steady.

2. Show interest in food

Reaching for your food, watching you eat, or opening their mouth when food comes near.

3. Open their mouth for the spoon

This shows they’re ready to try new textures.

4. Keep food in their mouth

A decrease in the “tongue-thrust reflex”—they don’t immediately push food out with their tongue.

5. Bring objects to their mouth

Good hand-to-mouth coordination is important for safe eating.

If your baby doesn’t show these signs yet, give them more time. Every baby grows at their own pace.

What should I feed them first?:

The AAP recommends starting with iron-rich foods, because babies’ iron stores begin to drop around 6 months.

Good first foods include:

• Iron-fortified infant cereal
• Puréed meats
• Beans or lentils
• Puréed vegetables
• Puréed fruits

You can start with any texture that is safe thin purées, soft mashed foods, or smooth, spoon-fed textures.

What about allergies?

Early introduction of common allergens (peanut, egg, yogurt) is now recommended after solids are started and your baby shows readiness.

What NOT to give before age 1

• Honey (risk of botulism)
• Cow’s milk as a drink (okay in foods)
• Foods that are choking risks (whole grapes, chunks of food, nuts, popcorn)

Most babies start solids around 6 months, when they show clear readiness cues.

Follow your baby’s lead; they’ll tell you when they’re ready to explore new tastes and textures.

Citations: 

American Academy of Pediatrics. (2023). Starting solid foods.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Foods and drinks for infants.

American Academy of Pediatrics. (2023). Preventing choking.

American Academy of Pediatrics. (2023). Peanut allergies and early introduction.

World Health Organization. (2023). Complementary feeding guidelines.

Most babies are ready to try soft, small pieces of food around 8–9 months, but the exact timing depends on your baby’s skills, not just age.
The American Academy of Pediatrics and CDC both recommend waiting until your baby can safely chew and move food around their mouth.

Signs your baby is ready for small pieces of food

Your baby may be ready when they can:

1. Sit up well without leaning

Good posture helps keep eating safe.

2. Use their hands to pick up food

Especially the “pincer grasp” (picking up small items with thumb + finger), which usually appears around 8–9 months.

3. Mash food with their gums

Even without teeth, babies can mash soft foods like bananas or cooked veggies.

4. Move food around their mouth

They should be able to chew and swallow safely, not push food out automatically.

5. Show interest in self-feeding

Reaching for food, grabbing your spoon, or wanting to explore textures.

If your baby doesn’t show these yet, that’s okay they’ll get there.

What foods can you offer first?

Start with very soft, easy-to-mash foods in tiny pieces:

• Ripe banana pieces
• Soft cooked vegetables (carrots, squash, sweet potato)
• Small pieces of scrambled eggs
• Soft fruit (peaches, kiwi, pears)
• Pasta cut into small pieces
• Finely shredded chicken or turkey
• Beans mashed or very soft

Think: soft, small, and squishable between two fingers.

Foods to avoid (choking risks)

The AAP’s choking prevention guidelines say to avoid:

• Whole grapes (cut into tiny pieces or quarters)
• Hot dogs (cut lengthwise, then into very small pieces)
• Raw veggies
• Nuts and seeds
• Popcorn
• Hard or sticky foods (candy, marshmallows)
• Thick globs of nut butter

Always supervise closely during meals.

Simple takeaway

Many babies are ready for soft finger foods around 8–9 months, once they can sit well, grasp food, and safely mash it with their gums.
Follow your baby’s cues they’ll show you when they’re ready to try pieces.

Citations:

American Academy of Pediatrics. (2023). Starting solid foods.

American Academy of Pediatrics. (2023). Preventing choking.

American Academy of Pediatrics. (2023). Preventing choking.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Infant feeding and readiness cues.

World Health Organization. (2023). Complementary feeding guidelines.

Baby-Led Weaning (BLW) is a way of introducing solid foods where babies feed themselves instead of being spoon-fed purées by an adult.
Babies eat soft, safe pieces of food they can pick up and explore on their own.

The goal is to help babies:

• Explore different textures
• Practice chewing
• Build hand–mouth coordination
• Eat at their own pace
• Join family meals

The American Academy of Pediatrics says BLW can be safe and healthy as long as babies show readiness and foods are prepared safely.

When can I start Baby-Led Weaning?

Most babies are ready around 6 months, when they show clear feeding readiness signs:

Signs your baby is ready:

• Sits up with support and holds their head steady
• Shows interest in food (leans forward, reaches, opens mouth)
• Brings objects to their mouth
• Can move food around with their tongue
• Has lost the automatic “tongue-thrust” reflex
• Can grasp food with their hands (full-palm grasp at first is okay)

BLW should not be started before 6 months, even if your baby seems eager.
Babies need the motor skills to chew safely.

How do I start Baby-Led Weaning?

Here’s a simple step-by-step way to begin:

Start with soft, easy-to-hold foods

Foods should be soft enough to mash between two fingers.

Good starter foods:

• Avocado slices
• Ripe banana split lengthwise
• Soft cooked carrot sticks
• Steamed broccoli florets
• Soft scrambled eggs
• Well-cooked pasta
• Soft pieces of sweet potato

Parents can still offer purées if they want BLW doesn’t have to be “all or nothing.”

Offer foods in safe shapes and sizes:

Before 9 months, babies use a whole-hand grasp.
So foods should be shaped like:

• Long strips
• Thick wedges
• Soft sticks

Avoid tiny, round, or hard foods at first.

Sit baby upright in a high chair:

This helps with swallowing and reduces choking risk.

Make sure:

• Baby’s feet are supported if possible
• Baby is awake and alert
• Baby is never left alone while eating

Let your baby take the lead:

Your job: offer safe foods.
Baby’s job: decide what to try, touch, taste, or drop on the floor.

It’s messy and that’s normal.

Keep milk feedings the same:

Breast milk or formula is still the main source of nutrition until age 1.
Solids are for practice, not replacing milk yet.

Introduce allergens early and safely:

Peanut, egg, dairy, wheat, soy, and fish can be introduced once your baby is eating solids well.

AAP early-allergen guidance:
Introduce one allergen at a time and watch for reactions.

Baby-Led Weaning is a self-feeding approach that helps babies explore food and learn to chew.

You can start around 6 months, once your baby can sit well, show interest, and safely handle soft foods.

Keep meals simple, safe, supervised, and led by your baby’s cues.

Citations:

American Academy of Pediatrics. (2023). Starting solid foods.

American Academy of Pediatrics. (2023). Preventing choking.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Foods and drinks for infants.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Infant feeding and readiness cues.

American Academy of Pediatrics. (2023). Peanut allergies and early introduction.

World Health Organization. (2023). Complementary feeding guidelines.