Sample Meal Plan for a 9 Month Old Baby, According to a Pediatric Dietitian

At 9 months, you’ve likely gotten the hang of milk feeds and are well into the world of solids. Your baby might be transitioning away from purées or happily self-feeding banana spears in true baby-led weaning (BLW) fashion. Either way, feeding a baby at this stage is a big milestone—congratulations! 

Between naps, playtime, and mommy-and-me classes, managing your baby’s feeding schedule can feel like a full-time job. And if you ever catch yourself wondering whether you’re doing it “right” or if what you’re experiencing is normal, you’re definitely not alone. To help, we’re sharing a sample daily meal plan to give you a sense of what a day on the menu could look like for your 9-month-old baby.

But First, a Quick Word on Milk Feeds

Before we dive into their feeding menu, it’s important to remember that at 9 months old, breast milk and/or infant formula should still be your baby’s primary source of nutrition. Even though your baby is eating solid foods, most of their calories and essential nutrients should still come from milk feeds. Breast milk and formula are specifically designed to provide the perfect balance of fats, proteins, vitamins, and minerals needed to support your baby’s rapid growth and brain development.

While solid foods are still providing nutrition, it’s also a time for exploration, skill-building, and expanding tastes and textures—not replacing milk feeds altogether. That’s why I recommend Happy Baby Organic Stage 2 Infant Formula, formulated for babies 6+ months. It features age-appropriate levels of key nutrients to meet your baby' s evolving needs. Just like breast milk naturally adapts to meet your baby’s changing needs, your formula should, too—and this one does exactly that.

Sample Meal Plan for a 9 month Old Baby

Every baby is different, and so is every family's routine. This is just one example of what a day of feeding might look like at this age. Your baby’s appetite, preferences, and schedule may vary day to day, and that’s completely normal. Always follow your baby’s cues, do what works best for your family, and consult your pediatrician for personalized guidance and support.

Sample Meal Plan

6:00 AM: Wake up + milk feed

7:00 AM: Breakfast ideas

• Oatmeal with thinned peanut butter 
• Scrambled egg with lightly toasted bread strips 
• Whole milk Greek yogurt with applesauce 
• Iron-fortified infant cereal with pureed mango

8:00 AM: Morning nap

9:00 AM: Milk feed 

12:00 PM: Milk feed 

12:30 PM: Lunch ideas

• Shredded chicken, rice, and mashed avocado
• Salmon flakes, quinoa, steamed broccoli
• Shredded cheese, mashed potatoes, roasted butternut squash spears 
• Low sodium cottage cheese with pureed pears 

1:30 PM: Afternoon nap

3:30 PM: Milk feed

5:00 PM: Dinner ideas

• Meatballs, roasted zucchini, farro
• Whole wheat pasta, low-sodium tomato sauce, lightly mashed peas 
• Omelette strip, roasted carrot sticks, savory muffin
• Whole milk Greek yogurt, chia seeds, pureed blueberry compote 

6:30 PM: Milk feed + bedtime 

How Much Should a 9 Month-Old Baby Eat?

At around 9 months, most babies are eating two or three solid meals a day, alongside their regular milk feeds. When it comes to how much they should eat at each meal, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer—quantity varies from baby to baby.

Babies are great at regulating their appetite (intuitive eaters!) and they know when to stop or continue eating. Your role is to offer nutritious foods and let your baby decide how much to eat.

Look for hunger cues, such as:

• Smacking or licking their lips
• Using sign language or gestures for “more”
• Reaching for food or bringing a spoon to their mouth

When they’re full, babies will typically:

• Stop self-feeding
• Turn their head away from the spoon if being fed
• Appear disinterested, distracted, or tired in their high chair