A day of feeding: a complete guide for parents

As long as you offer your baby one new food at a time, you can introduce a new food, or even more than one, every day, and do so several days in a row. There's no need to wait a few days between two new foods. By skipping that unnecessary delay, your baby will be exposed to a wide variety of foods more quickly, which is better for developing their tastes. For practical reasons, some parents prefer to introduce potentially allergenic foods one at a time so they can spot an allergic reaction more easily. That approach is fine, but it's optional.

How many meals a day?

When complementary feeding begins (at around 6 months), foods are generally offered once or twice a day. As your baby grows and their appetite increases, you can gradually increase the number of meals. By 9 to 12 months of age, most babies eat three meals a day plus a few snacks. It's important to follow your baby's hunger and fullness cues rather than sticking to a rigid schedule. Every child is unique and their needs can vary from one day to the next.

Sample daily schedule

Here's a sample schedule for a baby aged 6 to 12 months. This schedule is a guide only and should be adapted to your child's needs.

6 to 9 months

7:00 a.m. - Breast milk or infant formula
8:30 a.m. - Breakfast: Iron-fortified infant cereal and fruit puree
12:00 p.m. - Lunch: Meat or legume puree and vegetable puree
2:00 p.m. - Breast milk or infant formula
5:30 p.m. - Supper: Meat or legume puree and vegetable puree
7:00 p.m. - Breast milk or infant formula
10:00 p.m. (if needed) - Breast milk or infant formula

9 to 12 months

7:00 a.m. - Breast milk or infant formula
8:00 a.m. - Breakfast: Cereal, fruit, eggs or yogurt
10:00 a.m. - Snack: Fruit or vegetables
12:00 p.m. - Lunch: Meat or alternative, vegetables, grain product
3:00 p.m. - Snack: Cheese, fruit or vegetables
5:30 p.m. - Supper: Meat or alternative, vegetables, grain product
7:00 p.m. - Breast milk or infant formula

Practical tips

Here are a few tips to help fit meals into your daily routine:

• Try to offer meals at regular times to create a routine
• Offer new foods in the morning or at midday rather than in the evening
• Never force your baby to eat
• Respect your child's hunger and fullness cues
• Create a calm, pleasant atmosphere at mealtimes
• Eat together as a family as much as possible
• Be patient - learning to eat takes time

Recommended amounts

The amount of food your baby eats can vary a lot from one day to the next and from one child to another. Here are approximate portions to guide you:

6 to 9 months

Infant cereal: 2 to 4 tablespoons per meal
Meat and alternatives: 1 to 2 tablespoons per meal
Vegetables and fruit: 2 to 4 tablespoons per meal

9 to 12 months

Grain products: 1/4 to 1/2 slice of bread or 1/4 to 1/2 cup of cereal
Meat and alternatives: 2 to 4 tablespoons per meal
Vegetables and fruit: 1/4 to 1/2 cup per meal
Dairy products: 1/4 to 1/2 cup of yogurt or 20 to 30 g of cheese

The role of milk

Until 12 months of age, breast milk or infant formula remains your baby's main source of nutrition. Complementary foods come in addition to milk. Here's what to know:

• Keep offering the breast or bottle on demand
• Milk should be offered after solid meals so it doesn't reduce your baby's appetite
• Between 6 and 12 months, babies generally drink 720 to 960 ml of milk a day
• Don't give cow's milk as the main drink before 9 to 12 months
• Keep breastfeeding as long as you and your baby want to

Hunger and fullness cues

It's essential to learn to recognize the signals your baby sends you to communicate hunger or fullness.

Signs of hunger

• Opens their mouth when you offer the spoon
• Leans forward
• Gets excited at the sight of food
• Uses their hands to bring food to their mouth

Signs of fullness

• Closes their mouth or turns their head away
• Pushes the spoon or plate away
• Loses interest in the food
• Gets restless or wants out of the high chair
• Slows down their eating pace

Adapting the schedule

Every family and every baby is unique. Feel free to adapt the schedule to:

• Your baby's sleep rhythm
• Your work schedule
• Your family's habits
• Your child's appetite
• Daycare or other childcare arrangements

What matters is creating a routine that works for you and your baby, while staying flexible.

Moving to family meals

By around 12 months of age, your child should be able to eat the same meals as the rest of the family, with a few adjustments:

• Cut food into safe-sized pieces
• Cut back on salt and strong spices
• Avoid choking hazards
• Adapt textures if needed
• Include your child in family meals

This transition helps build good eating habits and strengthens family bonds.

When to seek help

Talk to your health professional or a dietitian if:

• Your baby consistently refuses solid foods
• You notice signs of an allergic reaction
• Your baby isn't gaining enough weight
• You have concerns about your child's eating
• Your baby has trouble swallowing or chewing

Key takeaways

To sum up, here are the essentials when it comes to your baby's feeding schedule:

• Follow your child's hunger and fullness cues
• Start with one to two meals a day at around 6 months
• Gradually increase the number of meals based on appetite
• Milk remains the main source of nutrition until 12 months
• Create a flexible routine that suits your family
• Be patient and positive at mealtimes
• Don't hesitate to consult a professional if you're unsure

Feeding your baby is a journey that takes patience and flexibility. Over time, your child will develop their own food preferences and eating habits.