🍼 U.S. Baby Feeding Chart & Schedule Guide
Why Use a Baby Feeding Chart?
- Helps new parents track feeding frequency, amounts, and milestones.
- Supports responsive feeding (“on-demand”) while offering structure.
- Aligns with U.S. health guidance from AAP, CDC, USDA and nutrition experts.
1. Newborn Feeding Chart (0–4 weeks)
| Age | Amount per Feeding | How Often |
|---|---|---|
| 0–1 day | ½–1 oz (15–30 mL) | 8–12 times/day (every 2–3 hrs) verywellfamily.com+11parents.com+11huckleberrycare.com+11 |
| 2 weeks | 2–3 oz (60–90 mL) | 8–12 times/day |
- Breastfed babies feed more often, formula-fed slightly less. my.clevelandclinic.org+6healthline.com+6healthychildren.org+6
- Parental tip: track wet diapers (2–3 per day rising to 6 by Day 5). huckleberrycare.com+1hopkinsmedicine.org+1
2. 1–3 Months Feeding Chart
- Typical intake: 3–5 oz (90–150 mL) per feed.
- Schedule: every 3–4 hours, totaling ~6–8 feedings/day healthychildren.org.
- AAP emphasizes feeding on hunger cues over rigid schedules. cdc.gov+14parents.com+14parents.com+14
3. 4–6 Months Feeding Chart
- Milk intake: 4–6 oz (120–180 mL) per feed, ~4–6 times/day stanfordchildrens.org+1hopkinsmedicine.org+1.
- Solid foods start around 6 months, but breast milk/formula remains primary nutrition. parents.com+11parents.com+11myplate.gov+11
- Introduce 1–2 tablespoons of pureed cereal, fruits, veggies per meal.
4. 6–12 Months Feeding Chart
- Milk: 24–32 oz (720–960 mL) daily, roughly 4–5 feedings parents.com+7healthychildren.org+7healthline.com+7.
- Solid meals gradually increase to 2–3 meals + 1–2 snacks/day, each 2–4 tbsp servings cdc.gov.
- Offer iron/zinc-rich foods (fortified cereal, meats, beans) per USDA guidance. myplate.gov+1stanfordchildrens.org+1
5. 12+ Months Toddler Feeding
- Transition to finely chopped table foods; include 2–3 cups of whole milk/day for calcium. pampers.com+4parents.com+4stanfordchildrens.org+4
- Follow the Dietary Guidelines for Americans: nutrient-dense meals, limit added sugars/sodium.
- Establish a regular routine—3 meals + 2 snacks/day.
Key U.S. Feeding Guidance & Tips
- Exclusive breastfeeding recommended for ~6 months; continue through 12 months+ cdc.gov+10aap.org+10en.wikipedia.org+10.
- Formula: choose FDA-regulated, iron‑fortified options; feed ~2.5 oz per pound body weight/day .
- Vitamin D supplement (400 IU/day) is standard for breastfed infants hopkinsmedicine.org.
- Watch for hunger cues (rooting, hand-to-mouth) and fullness signals (turning away, relaxed). healthline.com+1parents.com+1
- Avoid bottle‑feeding solids, honey, or juices before age 1—risks include choking and infant botulism. healthline.com
- Growth spurts may bring cluster-feeding periods, common around 3 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months healthline.com.
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Final Tips for U.S. Parents
- Always consult your pediatrician—these charts are general guidelines, not prescriptions.
- Monitor growth, diaper output, and development to ensure proper nutrition.
- Stay watching for allergy cues when introducing new foods (e.g. peanuts).