10-month-old baby feeding schedule & expert advice

At 10 months, your baby is probably more easily distractible—which can make breastfeeding or bottle-feeding sessions interesting. When possible, try to limit the stimulation around you while feeding your baby. Although solids are becoming a bigger part of their diet, the nutrition they get from breast milk or formula is still essential. With breastfeeding and bottle-feeding sessions fewer and farther between, it may be easier to cherish these special one-on-one moments.

Related: 10-month-old baby milestones

How much should a 10-month-old eat?

The American Academy of Pediatrics and La Leche League recommend the following feeding schedules and amounts for 10-month-olds.

Solids: Offered 2 times per day or at family mealtimes

Breast milk: Up to 8 ounces every 4 to 5 hours

Formula: 7 to 8 ounces every 5 to 6 hours

Related: Activities for a 10-month-old

Your 10-month-old baby should be no stranger to solids! Here are the recommended serving sizes for an 10-month-old baby:

• Infant cereal (single grain) mixed with breast milk or formula: 5 to 8 tablespoons (optional)
• Fruits: 2 to 4 tablespoons
• Vegetables: 2 to 4 tablespoons
• Shredded meats, eggs, yogurt and soft-cooked plant-based proteins, such as lentils: 2 to 3 tablespoons
• Starches: ¼ to ½ cup simple carbs, such as pasta, mashed potatoes, bread

Related: AAP now recommends extending breastfeeding for at least 2 years. Here’s how to make that happen

What’s a good 10-month-old feeding schedule?

Remember, it’s more important that you follow your baby’s cues than adhere to a set schedule, so schedules outlined are general guides of how frequently you’ll feed your baby—not hard-and-fast rules.

These guidelines also apply primarily to infants born full-term and without any underlying medical conditions. For preterm infants, babies with certain medical conditions or for any specific questions pertaining to your child, be sure to consult your child’s pediatrician for a more customized feeding schedule.

Related: How much sleep does a 10-month-old baby need?

Can 10-month-old babies eat snacks?

At 10 months, you can offer your little one healthy, nutritious snacks twice a day. These should complement their diet of breast milk and/or formula and solid foods. Aim to keep snack times on a schedule to prevent your child from developing a “grazing” habit that can take away from what they eat during meals.

Related: 5 lies I believed about weaning before I stopped breastfeeding

There are many pre-made and processed snack foods on the market that are advertised for babies and toddlers. It’s best to use your discretion with these options—and treat them much the same way you would any other processed foods by limiting their use. Other good snack options for your 10-month-old baby include hummus, whole-fat yogurt, whole-grain graham crackers, bananas, tortillas with cream cheese and more. Pouches with whole food purees are helpful options in a pinch.

A note from Motherly on feeding a 10-month-old

Baby see, baby do: At 10 months, your little one will probably be keeping a close eye on what you eat—and will want to try a bite, too. They are now ready for most table foods, so that’s not a problem. It might just make you think twice about what you are eating. Try to load up your plate with some veggies!

Look ahead: 11-month-old baby feeding schedule and expert advice

A version of this story was published October 17, 2021. It has been updated.