The Complete Guide to Starting Solids

What Should the Feeding Schedule Be?

As soon as baby understands the concept of eating and is excited by and interested in mealtime (this usually happens between 6 and 9 months), start her on a routine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Even if she isn't hungry at times, she'll get used to the idea of eating on a schedule. "My goal for the babies I care for is to get them on a big-boy or big-girl eating schedule by the time they turn 1," says Sara DuMond, MD, a pediatrician and American Baby advisory board member. "This means they should eat three meals a day with two to three snacks in between (give finger foods such as baby crackers or teething biscuits). And treat liquids, either formula or breast milk, as a complement to a meal, not as a meal itself."

• At 4 to 6 months, feed her two meals, each two to four tablespoons.
• At 7 to 12 months, feed her three meals, each the size of baby's fist.