6-9 Months Feeding Guide

Discover how much to feed your 6-9 month old with this infant feeding guide. Learn about portions and types of food for a baby at this age. The amount and type of food your baby eats will vary.

Ages & Stages

Newborn

0-3 Months

Infant

3-6 Months

Infant

6-9 Months

Toddler

9-12 Months

Toddler

12-18 Months

Infant hunger cues

How much should an infant eat?

Key Nutrients

DHA

Docosahexaenoic Acid

DHA is an Omega-3 fat found in your baby's brain and important for their normal brain and eye development. By your baby's 2nd birthday, most of their brain growth will have already occurred.

Tip

If using an infant formula, use a formula that has DHA. Once on solids, fatty fish is another excellent source of DHA for your baby.

Average DHA amount in breast milk:

0.32% of total fatty acids

Iron

Iron is essential for your baby's physical and mental growth, and as they grow, they need more to meet their nutritional needs. Once your baby is on solids, make sure you provide iron rich foods.

Tip
Iron from animal products, especially meat, is absorbed more easily than from other sources. Vitamin C also helps absorption of iron from plant sources.

Iron recommendation:
0-6 months: 0.27 mg/day

Calcium

Your baby needs calcium for healthy development, especially of their bones and teeth.

Tip
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends not introducing cow's milk until 12 months of age.

Calcium recommendation:
0-6 months: 200mg/day

Introducing Solid Foods

Breast milk provides the
optional nutrition for your
baby.

* Average amount of DHA and ARA in worldwide breast milk is 0.32% and 0.47% (mean ± standard deviation of total fatty acids) based on an analysis of 65 studies of 2,474 women).
^{Return to footnote reference†} Koletzko B et al. J Perinat. Med. 2008;36:5-14.
^{Return to footnote reference§} For example, herring, mackerel, pollock, salmon and shrimp. Visit the FDA website for advice regarding eating fish.