A Comprehensive Guide to Newborn Feeding Schedule: 1-12 Months

Navigating your baby's feeding schedule during their first year is an essential part of parenthood. At Giftstart, we are dedicated to providing comprehensive guidance to Canadian parents. This comprehensive guide covers breastfeeding, formula feeding, introducing solids, and valuable tips to enhance your feeding journey.

Age Range	Breast Milk/Formula (Per Day)	Solid Foods (Per Day)	Baby-Led Weaning
1-3 Months	Every 2-3 hours, 8-12 feedings/day	Focus on breast milk or formula feeding.	- Focus on breast milk or formula feeding.
4-6 Months	24 to 36 ounces (five to eight daily nursing sessions)	- 1 to 4 tablespoons of rice cereal once or twice a day	- Introduce soft, graspable foods suitable for self-feeding
		- 1 to 4 tablespoons each of a fruit and vegetable	experiences (e.g., steamed vegetables, soft fruits)
6-8 Months	24 to 36 ounces (four to six nursing sessions)	- 4 to 9 tablespoons each of cereal, fruit, and vegetables	- Continue with a wider variety of textured and finger foods
		(in two to three meals)	encouraging self-feeding and exploration
		- 1 to 6 tablespoons of meat or other protein
9-12 Months	16 to 30 ounces (three to five nursing sessions)	- 1/4 to 1/2 cup each of grains, fruits, and vegetables	- Encourage self-feeding with family-friendly foods suitable
	Introduce whole milk at 12 month mark	twice a day	for their development (e.g., finger foods, table foods)
		- 1/4 to 1/2 cup of dairy foods per day
		- 1/4 to 1/2 cup of protein foods per day

 

Newborn Feeding Schedule: 1-3 Months

During the first three months, your baby's feeding schedule will primarily revolve around breastfeeding or formula feeding, with feedings typically every 2-3 hours. Here's a sample schedule:

• Breastfeeding: Feed every 2-3 hours, aim for 8-12 feedings per day, with each session lasting about 10-15 minutes per breast.
• Building Breast Milk Supply: To boost milk production, nurse frequently and ensure proper latch and positioning. Pumping between feedings can also help stimulate milk supply.
• Formula Feeding: Offer formula every 3-4 hours, following your baby's cues for hunger.
• Total Feedings per Day: Around 8-12 feedings, depending on your baby's needs.

Feeding Schedule: 4-6 Months

Around 4-6 months, you can begin introducing solid foods alongside breast milk or formula. Follow these guidelines:

• Breastfeeding or Formula: Offer breast milk or formula 4-6 times a day.
• Introduction of Solids: Start with iron-rich purees (e.g., cereals, pureed vegetables) once a day, gradually increasing to 2-3 meals a day.
• Total Feedings per Day: Aim for 4-5 breast milk or formula feedings, with 1-2 meals of solids.
• Baby-Led Weaning: Explore baby-led weaning by offering soft, age-appropriate finger foods for self-feeding experiences.

Feeding Schedule: 7-9 Months

By 7-9 months, your baby's solid food intake will increase, complementing breast milk or formula:

• Breastfeeding or Formula: Continue offering breast milk or formula 4-5 times a day.
• Solid Foods: Offer 3 meals of solids, including a variety of textures and flavors.
• Snacks: Introduce healthy snacks between meals, such as soft fruits or baby-friendly finger foods.
• Total Feedings per Day: Around 3-4 breast milk or formula feedings, with 3 meals and 1-2 snacks.

Feeding Schedule: 10-12 Months

As your baby approaches their first birthday, they will transition to a more diverse diet:

• Breastfeeding or Formula: Offer breast milk or formula 3-4 times a day.
• Solid Foods: Continue with 3 meals and 1-2 snacks, incorporating family foods while monitoring for allergies.
• Introduction of Cow's Milk: After consulting with your pediatrician, you can introduce whole cow's milk.
• Total Feedings per Day: Aim for 3-4 breast milk or formula feedings, with 3 meals and 1-2 snacks.

General Tips for Feeding:

• Follow your baby's cues for hunger and fullness.
• Maintain a calm and relaxed environment during feedings.
• Introduce new foods gradually to monitor for allergies.
• Stay hydrated and eat a balanced diet if breastfeeding.

Tips for Breastfeeding Success:

• Establish a good latch and comfortable positioning.
• Nurse on demand to meet your baby's needs and boost milk supply.
• Stay hydrated and nourished with a balanced diet rich in nutrients.
• Incorporate skin-to-skin contact and frequent nursing sessions to enhance bonding.

Tips for Introducing Solids:

• Start with single-ingredient purees and progress to mixed textures.
• Offer a variety of foods to expose your baby to different flavors and nutrients.
• Respect your baby's cues for hunger and fullness; let them explore and enjoy mealtime.

Baby-Led Weaning and Other Methods:

• Baby-Led Weaning: Encourage self-feeding with soft, graspable foods like steamed vegetables, fruits, and cooked grains.
• Combination Feeding: Some parents opt for a combination of breastfeeding and formula feeding to accommodate busy schedules or specific needs.
• Responsive Feeding: Pay attention to your baby's cues and avoid pressuring them to eat.

Conclusion: We hope this guide provides you with a helpful framework for your baby's feeding schedule during their first year. Remember, every baby is unique, so adapt the schedule based on your child's needs and developmental milestones. For all your baby feeding essentials and registry needs, explore Giftstart's platform, your trusted partner in simplifying parenthood planning.