ou survived the early purees. You tried baby-led weaning. Your baby has definitely eaten a sock lint or two by now. And somehow, despite the mess, the fun, and the what-on-earth-is-that-on-the-ceiling moments… your baby is 9 months old. 😅

And now you’re wondering:
“Should they be eating more food? Less milk? Three meals? Two? What time? Help.”

Friend, you’re not alone. This is the age when feeding routines start to shift—and that’s where a solid 9 month old feeding schedule can save your sanity (and reduce the number of ‘hangry’ baby meltdowns).

In this guide, we’ll cover:

• How many milk feeds your baby still needs
• How to space out meals and naps
• What a real-life 9 month schedule looks like
• Which foods to offer—and what to avoid
• Plus tons of links to practical resources from my blog to make life easier

🧠 What Changes at 9 Months?

By 9 months old, most babies are:

• Eating solids 2–3 times per day
• Nursing or taking formula 3–5 times per day
• Gaining confidence with finger foods
• Possibly dropping night feeds
• Learning to drink from a straw cup or open cup
• Playing a lot with food (because… development)

This is a golden window for food exploration and building feeding skills. You’re not aiming for perfection—you’re aiming for practice. Think of every meal as a mini sensory activity disguised as nutrition.

➡️ Related: How to Transition from Purees to Solids

🗓 Sample 9 Month Old Feeding Schedule

Here’s a simple example to help guide your day. Adjust as needed based on your baby’s wake window, nap schedule, and appetite.

Sample Schedule:

7:00 AM – Wake + Breastfeed / Formula
8:00 AM – Breakfast
🥣 Ideas: Tasty Strawberry Banana Pancakes, Millet Porridge for Baby, Banana for Baby-Led Weaning, Dairy-Free Porridge, Baby Chia Pudding, Yogurt for Babies, Quail Eggs for Babies

9:30 AM – Nap

11:00 AM – Breastfeed / Bottle
12:00 PM – Lunch
🍽 Ideas: Mac&Cheese, Fish Pie, Sweet Potato Pancakes, Easy Chick Peas Baby Recipe

1:30 PM – Nap

3:00 PM – Breastfeed / Formula
3:30 PM – Snack (optional)
🍎 Snack ideas: Best Baby Biscuits, Best Crackers for Babies, Oatmeal Bars For Babies, Easy and Healthy 10 Month Old Baby Snacks

5:30 PM – Dinner
🥦 Ideas: Quinoa Recipes for Babies, 10 Buckwheat Recipes, Baby Prawn Patties with Veggies, Brussel Sprouts for Baby

6:30 PM – Bath + wind-down
7:00 PM – Final Breastfeed / Bottle
7:15 PM – Bedtime

Note: Some babies will drop one milk feed or skip snacks depending on their intake during meals. Follow their hunger cues and don’t stress the small changes.

🥗 What Should a 9 Month Old Be Eating?

This is the time to expand their menu and offer a variety of textures and nutrients.

Prioritize:

✅ Iron-rich foods: Ground meat, lentils, beans, eggs
✅ Healthy fats: Avocado, olive oil, nut butter (thinned out)
✅ Veggies: Steamed carrots, spinach, peas, zucchini
✅ Fruits: Bananas, mango, soft pears, blueberries
✅ Grains: Oats, couscous, whole wheat pasta, quinoa
✅ Dairy: Yogurt, cottage cheese, shredded cheese (no cow’s milk as a drink yet)

🍼 What About Breast Milk or Formula?

Even with solids, breast milk or formula is still your baby’s primary nutrition source at 9 months.

Daily Intake:

• Breastfeeding: 3–5 times per day
• Formula: Around 20–24 oz per day across 3–4 bottles

Don’t stress if solids feel like just a few bites some days. Their intake will naturally increase as they get closer to 12 months.

🧃 Can They Have Water or Snacks?

Yep! At 9 months, babies can sip water throughout the day—especially during meals. Offer water in a straw cup or open cup, about 2–4 oz daily.

Snacks? Optional. If your baby seems hungry between meals, go for a light, soft snack. Just avoid over-snacking if it messes with mealtime hunger.

Need snack ideas? Head over to Snacks page to see more ideas

🚫 Foods to Avoid at 9 Months

❌ Honey – Still off-limits due to botulism risk
❌ Whole nuts, popcorn, raw carrots, grapes – Choking hazards
❌ Cows’ milk as a drink – Wait until 12 months
❌ Salty, sugary foods – Baby kidneys aren’t ready for the salt life
❌ Uncut round foods – Always cut grapes, blueberries, cherry tomatoes, etc.

🤯 Real Talk: What If My Baby Skips a Meal?

It’s okay. Teething, growth spurts, or just baby vibes can throw off feeding for a day or two.

If they’re refusing food but still taking milk, it’s usually nothing to panic about. Keep offering food without pressure and trust the process.

And remember: Gagging ≠ choking. Check out our guide on gag reflex vs choking if that stuff still makes you sweat.

💡 Tips to Make Feeding Easier (and Less Stressful)

• Serve the same food in different forms (puree, mash, strip, etc.)
• Let them self-feed even if it’s messy—it builds skills
• Offer a variety across the week, not every day
• Sit together for meals when you can—it builds healthy habits
• Don’t panic if they throw everything on the floor. Again.

📋 Weekly Feeding Plan Example

Day	Breakfast	Lunch	Dinner
Mon	Oats + banana	Lentils + rice	Steamed veggies + chicken
Tue	Avocado toast strips	Pasta + peas	Quinoa + spinach
Wed	Yogurt + fruit	Couscous + zucchini	Sweet potato + black beans
Thu	Scrambled eggs	Lentil stew	Broccoli + cheese
Fri	Mango + oats	Chicken + carrots	Rice + beans
Sat	Pancakes (BLW)	Pasta + lentils	Veggie soup chunks
Sun	Cottage cheese + fruit	Pizza (baby-style!)	Couscous + kale

Find our full recipe for baby-led weaning pizza here!

❤️ Final Thoughts (from One Mom to Another)

Let’s be real—there’s no such thing as a “perfect” 9 month old feeding schedule. Babies skip meals, throw spoons, and develop obsessions with blueberries overnight.

But if you’re offering balanced foods, following their cues, and keeping milk feeds consistent—you’re doing an amazing job. Keep showing up. Keep offering. And keep your broom handy. 😉

🙋‍♀️ FAQ: 9 Month Old Feeding Schedule

Q: How many solid meals should a 9-month-old have?
A: Aim for 3 meals per day. Snacks are optional and based on hunger cues.

Q: Should I night wean at 9 months?
A: Some babies naturally drop night feeds, others still need one. Talk to your pediatrician before fully night weaning.

Q: Can I introduce allergens now?
A: Yes! In small amounts, and one at a time. Common allergens include eggs, peanuts, dairy, and fish.

Q: What’s a good breakfast for a 9-month-old?
A: Try oatmeal with mashed banana, yogurt with chia seeds, or baby-friendly pancakes.

Q: What if my baby isn’t interested in food?
A: Totally normal. Keep offering a variety without pressure. Check out starting solids: what you need to know.