Understanding Feeding Schedule Changes

What feeding schedule changes mean for you and your little one

November 4, 2022

Full Coverage Bib by Bibbrella

C
ountless things are changing for you and your baby at the weaning stage. What they eat, when they eat, and how they eat is shifting as your little one continues to develop. The type of food that babies eat is one of the most important and frequently discussed topics when it comes to weaning, but what about how often they eat? 

Weaning means that solid food intake is increased while milk intake is decreased. But that doesn’t happen all at once. Weaning is a gradual process during which the feeding schedule changes multiple times as babies get increasingly used to eating solids. Below are the basics of feeding schedules and how they might affect the weaning process. 

6-8 Months Old

Around 6 months of age is typically when children are able to begin exploring solid foods and become less dependent on milk. Feedings still take place roughly 5-7 times a day, depending on whether or not a child is being fed breast milk or formula and what foods are supplementing their milk intake. 

This is an exciting time for babies! Curiosity about food may begin to emerge and parents may notice kids trying to play with food or placing food in their mouths. Children don’t quite have fully-developed motor skills yet, however, so expect some messy meals. Grab a Bibbrella full-coverage bib to keep your babe and their clothes protected from spills and accidents. 

9-12 Months Old 

Kids are actively eating solids by this point, though how “solid” those foods are will vary and change throughout this major point in the weaning process. Some may still be experimenting with softer foods like ripe fruits, while others may be confident with harder foods like raw veggies. Parents might find that feeding 4-6 times a day becomes more appropriate around this time, as children become more dependent on solid foods and require less nursing. 

Keep that full-coverage baby bib on, as increased enthusiasm about mealtime ensues! Children can feel encouraged by their advanced motor skills and maturing taste buds. This could lead to an increase in behavioral responses such as throwing food and mealtime tantrums as kids continue to explore their physical capabilities and develop food preferences.

1 Year Old

By this point, most children will be comfortable with solids and their mini bodies have a digestive system that more closely resembles that of older humans. Three meals a day – breakfast, lunch, and dinner – is a typical feeding schedule, though snacks will be a part of their routine as well. As babies hit important developmental milestones, mealtime might feel more like an epic food fight! Being prepared with the right feeding accessories will be key to keeping mealtimes stress-free, so that you can enjoy this time of exploration instead of focusing on messes. 

Keep in mind that while there are general milestones and times that the stages of weaning may occur, all babies develop at different rates. Not to mention, a world of changes can occur for babies in the short span of three months. Pediatricians are your best bet for figuring out what foods and routines are ideal for your little one if you’re uncertain about how to accommodate these various developments.