Feeding a baby is a huge responsibility, and there are right and wrong ways to do this. Clearly, you want to do it the right way, ensuring your baby has the right nutrients and gets all the food they need to help them grow up big and strong. 

You probably have many questions relating to this topic, but most queries can be answered by answering the top three most common questions about feeding your baby:

What should you feed your baby?

The answer really depends on how old your baby is, along with what they are capable of. We’ve broken it down into different age ranges, showing you what you should feed your baby based on how old they are:

• Newborns up to 6 months – during this stage in their lifecycle, your baby will only be able to eat milk. This can either be breastmilk or formula, depending on your own beliefs and preferences. 
• 6 to 9 months – at this point, most babies have developed to the level where they can start eating solids. You should only do this when they can sit up, acknowledge food is coming towards them, and open their mouth to eat it. In most cases, babies can do this when they’re around 6 months old. Be sure you only feed them proper baby food at this stage, as it is easier for them to digest. Nestle is the leading provider in the baby food industry, but any trustworthy brands are also worthwhile. 
• 9 to 15 months – now, you can move on to thicker and lumpier foods. Your baby is starting to learn how to chew properly, so you can serve soft foods as well. This is also the stage where they can finger feed themselves. 

From here, you will have a toddler that can start eating ‘normal’ foods but make sure they are soft and easy for them to chew and digest. 

When do you feed your baby?

People ask this all the time, and the correct answer is short and sweet: whenever they want to be fed. 

As a parent, start getting it into your head that you control what your baby eats, but they are in charge of when they eat and how often they need to be fed. They will let you know if they’re hungry, so you will feed them when you notice these cues!

How much should you feed your baby at each sitting?

Again, a very simple answer to this question: feed them until they decide they have had enough. Babies are smart enough to be aware of when they have eaten too much. They can stop feeding when they feel like it, so you shouldn’t start forcing them to eat more. Likewise, if you stop too soon, they will make it clear that they want and need to eat more. 

Ultimately, the key thing to know is that your baby is in charge of the feeding process. They dictate when they eat and how much they will eat. It’s your job to provide the food for them, which is why you need to know what to feed them at different points!