6–8 Months — Milk Leads

Offer 24–32 ounces (720–960 ml) of breast milk or formula across 4–5 feeds per day. Add one meal, then a second by 8 months. Keep milk as the main calorie source. Solids at this stage teach skills, not nutrition—most babies take just 1–2 tablespoons per sitting and wear more than they swallow.

9–11 Months — Solids Catch Up

Move to 2–3 meals plus 1–2 small snacks. Milk usually settles at 20–28 ounces across 3–4 feeds. Your baby now manages soft finger foods and mashed family meals. This is the natural window to begin gently shortening one daytime milk feed as solids grow. Explore textures in our stages from purees to finger foods article.

12–18 Months — Solids Take the Lead

After the first birthday, offer 16–24 ounces (480–720 ml) of whole milk and 3 meals plus 1–2 snacks. Many toddlers drop to 2–3 milk feeds. Continue breastfeeding if you choose—the World Health Organization supports nursing up to 2 years and beyond, alongside nutritious family foods.

18–24 Months — Milk Becomes a Side

Toddlers need 16–20 ounces (480–600 ml) of milk alongside 3 balanced meals and 2 snacks. By now milk is one part of a varied diet, not the foundation. For balanced bite ideas, browse our healthy toddler snacks guide.

When to Call Your Pediatrician

Contact your pediatrician if your baby under 12 months regularly takes less than 20 ounces of milk and refuses most solids, shows fewer than 4 wet diapers per day, loses weight or drops percentiles on the growth chart, seems lethargic, or chokes or gags persistently on textures. Trust your instincts—early guidance protects nutrition and development.

When should I start dropping milk feeds for solids?

Start around 6 months once your baby shows solids readiness—good head control, sitting with support, and interest in food. Before this, breast milk or formula meets all needs. Introduce one meal, then build slowly. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes milk stays the main source of nutrition through the first year.

How many ounces of milk does my baby need after starting solids?

At 6–8 months, aim for 24–32 ounces of breast milk or formula daily across 4–5 feeds. As solids rise to 2–3 meals by 9–11 months, milk drops to 20–28 ounces. After 12 months, 16–24 ounces of whole milk supports growth. Watch wet diapers and steady weight, not just volume.

Will dropping milk feeds hurt my baby’s nutrition?

Not if done gradually. Milk remains the primary source of fat, protein, and calories through 12 months. Solids add iron and texture but should not replace milk too quickly. Offer iron-rich foods and keep milk steady until your baby eats 2–3 meals. The World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding alongside solids up to 2 years.

How do I know my baby is eating enough solids?

Watch for signs: your baby opens for spoons, reaches for food, and swallows rather than pushing most out. A good marker is 2–3 tablespoons per meal by 9 months. Weight gain on their growth curve and 4–6 wet diapers daily matter more than finishing every bite. Trust your baby’s hunger cues.

Can I drop night feeds when adding solids?

Solids do not automatically end night feeds. Most babies still need 1–2 night feeds at 6–8 months. As daytime calories from 3 meals rise by 9–12 months, night feeding often fades naturally. Forcing night weaning early can hurt intake. The American Academy of Pediatrics advises following your baby’s cues and pediatrician guidance.