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Combined Sample Baby Food Menu & Schedule for Feeding Baby Solid Foods
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Welcome to our Combined Baby Food Menus for babies
from birth to age 12 months.
When you read through our sample menus, it is important to note that not all babies will be eating the same amounts as others, nor will they be eating the same foods. This is due to the differing ages that babies start solid foods as well as the fact that all babies are not the same.
Do NOT feel as though your baby should be eating solid foods according to any schedule.
Your baby will eat as much solid foods as your baby needs - trust your baby cues. Learn more about how to tell if Your Baby Is Ready For Solids.
Breast Milk and/or Formula are THE MOST IMPORTANT sources of nutrition for your infant
up to 12 months old. Do NOT replace a nursing or bottle-feeding with a solid food meal and do not feed the solids first until your pediatrician indicates this is right for your baby.
Read our How Much Should My Baby Be Eating article to learn why your baby may eat more or less than others.
We cannot stress enough that all babies are different and your baby may eat more or less than what is shown on these example charts. This menu and sample schedule outlines examples and shows ideas for solid foods only. It does not account for, nor does it list, total daily Breast Milk or Formula intake. See a "Suggested "Milk" chart below.
As always, you should feed your baby according to his or her cues and needs. Always consult your pediatrician if you are worried that your baby is not receiving proper amounts of either milk or solid foods.
Many breastfeeding moms supplement with formula as their milk supply may be low for a variety of reasons. We give kudos to those moms who continue to hang in there and offer their babies breast milk while supplementing. Hooray for you. You will find our menu samples include the use of both breast milk and formula, separately and together as a total "meal" solution.
| Baby Menu Sample for Babies 0-3 Months of Age |
Breakfast - Breast Milk and/or Formula |
Lunch - Breast Milk and/or Formula |
Dinner - Breast Milk and/or Formula |
Notes: We have included the 3 basic "meals" for example purposes only and we do not suggest, nor do we imply, that you should limit your infant to 3 meals per day. ** At this age and stage, most infants are hungry continually and thus are fed "around the clock" and on demand. The best way to feed your infant is as often as your baby needs "on demand". |
| Baby Menu Sample for Babies (4) 6- 8 Months of Age |
Early Morning Awakening - Breast Milk and/or Formula |
Breakfast - Breast Milk and/or Formula first. Infant Cereal (Optional) - 1 food cube Fruit or Vegetable (Optional) - 1 food cube - serve mixed into the cereal or separately |
Lunch -
Breast Milk and/or Formula first. Infant Cereal (Optional) - 1 food cube Fruit or Vegetable (Optional) - 1 or 2 food cubes of each, or mix the cubes together; for example, apples and carrots are Yummy together. Feed with or without the cereal
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Snack/Dinner Breast Milk and/or Formula first. Fruit or Vegetable (Optional) - 1 food cube
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3 Meals a Day? We would like to point out that many infants are not ready to eat 3 "meals" per day until well into the 9-10 month range. Still, many babies may begin 3 "meals" at 7-8 months old.
Feeding Hints: Start out slowly, preparing a tablespoon sized portion of whatever food you have chosen to begin with. You will probably only manage to have baby eat 1/2 of the tablespoon sized portion the very first times you begin solids. As your baby becomes accustomed to eating solids, you will gradually increase the portion sizes.
Pushing Food Out of the Mouth: Many parents find their babies will push the food out of their mouths on the first few tries. This is normal however, it may also indicate that your baby is not yet ready for solid food; only you know your baby and will be able to decide if baby is truly ready for solids.
** (Optional) accounts for the fact that not all babies between (4)6-8 months of age will be eating "meals" of any or all of the suggested foods at a given mealtime **
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Notes:
Is my baby eating enough food?
How much solid food a baby will be eating depends on a variety of different things.
A baby who began solid foods at 4 months of age will likely be eating more solid foods than the baby who began to eat solid foods at 6 months old.
| Baby Menu Sample for Babies 8-12 Months of Age |
Early Morning Awakening - Breast Milk and/or Formula |
Breakfast - Breast Milk and/or Formula first. Infant Cereal - 1 food cube Fruit or Vegetable - 2 or 3 food cubes Dairy (Optional) - Yogurt - 1 or 2 food cube sized portions (or about 2 tablespoons) Read about Introducing Yogurt to Your Baby
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Lunch -
Breast Milk and/or Formula first. Infant Cereal or Other Grain - (Optional) (i.e. pasta, rice) - 1 or 2 food cubes Meat/Meat-Protein Alternate - (Optional) 1 or 2 food cubes Fruit or Vegetable - 2 or 3 food cubes of each or mix the cubes together with the Grain Dairy (Optional) - Yogurt or Cheeses *A Lunch of Fruits, Veggies and a Protein without grains is an option. A Lunch of a Grain with Fruits and Veggies without a protein is also an option.
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Snack/Dinner Breast Milk and/or Formula first. Grain (Optional) (i.e. pasta, rice) - 1 or 2 food cubes Meat/Meat Alternate - (Optional) - 1 food cube Fruit and/or Vegetable - 2 or 3 food cubes of each or mix the cubes together Example: Tofu mixed with Avocado served with Applesauce & Blueberries on the side Dairy - Yogurt or Cheeses (Optional)
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3 Meals a Day? We would like to point out that many infants are not ready to eat 3 "meals" per day until well into the 9-10 month range. Still, many babies may begin 3 "meals" at 7-8 months old.
Please keep in mind that many infants do not begin solids until 6 months of age and not all babies will be eating the same amounts or food items.
There are many infants who may eat 4-6 ounces of food per day at 6 or 7 months old while others who are just starting solids will be within the 1-2 ounce range.
You should follow the menu ideas in keeping with your infant's development and eating habits as well as your pediatrician's advice.
** (Optional) accounts for the fact that not all babies between (4)6-8 months of age will be eating "meals" of any or all of the suggested foods at a given mealtime ** |
Headlines from our Baby Food Blog
The best baby food storage system you'll find — one that's freezable, portable, and even stackable! These single-serving containers keep homemade baby food fresher than others (and won't pop open in your diaper bag, either).
Suggested Daily "Milk" Intakes
0-3 Months of age:
Breastfeed every 1-3 hours or Formula 18-40 ounces
4-5 Months of age:
Breastfeed every 2-4 hours or Formula 24-45 ounces
6-8 Months of age:
Breastfeed every 3-4 hours or Formula 24-37 ounces
9-12 Months of age:
Breastfeed every 4-5 hours or Formula 24-31 ounces
Whole Cow Milk, as a drink, should not be introduced until 12 months of age.
Learn about Introducing Yogurt and Feeding Cheese to your baby.
compiled from Merck Source
More Baby Solid Food and Baby Food Recipe Topics from our Site
Transitioning to Sippy Cups between ages 6 months to 12 months.
Solid Food Stages & Feeding First Solids Month Range of Feeding Stages & Tips for Feeding First Solid Foods
Introducing Solid Foods by Age Chart for information about what food to avoid and what foods are appropriate for certain ages.
How Much Food Should Your Baby Eat? Not as much as you may be thinking. Read our article and ease your mind.
Is My Baby Ready for Solids? Explore some key signs and points about the readiness for solid foods, weaning and complementary feedings.
Baby's First Foods Homemade Recipes Yummy Homemade Baby Food Recipes for Baby's very first weaning foods.
Baby Menu Sample - We have compiled a sample menu schedule of what a baby might be eating from 4-8 months old and 8-12 months old. Learn how much milk your baby should be drinking through all stages and how many food cubes might be offered for a baby meal.
Off-Site Links to learning more about introducing solid foods:
AAP - Breastfeeding for first 6 months of Life
Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk -- AAP Policy
American Academy of Family Physicians - Breastfeeding Position Statement
WHO - CAH Exclusive Breastfeeding
WHO - Summary of Guiding Principles for complementary feeding of the breastfed child
JACN - Addition of Solid Foods & Infant Growth
Our menu sample is for example and idea purposes. You should always feed your baby according to his or her needs and cues and not strictly by any chart or schedule. 
Solid Foods for Baby
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MORE HOMEMADE BABY FOOD RECIPES & RECIPE TOPICS
View these pages for more tips & topics on baby feeding & cooking baby foods.
- Freezing Homemade Baby Foods
- Vitamins & Minerals in Baby's Foods
- Baby Food Myths - Archived
- Baby Food Recipes Downloads
- Freebies for Baby
The 4th Edition of our Wholesome Baby Food Recipes eBook released in October 2007, is available.
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Are you wondering about Juice for Your Baby? Read our article to find out about juice and the role it may or may not play in a baby's diet.
