Free Printable Resource
Newborn & Infant Feeding Chart
Everything you need to know about feeding your baby from birth to 12 months — breastfeeding, formula, solid foods, hunger cues and night feeds in one clear chart.
📄
Download the Free PDF — Newborn Feeding Chart
Print it out and stick it on the fridge. All 6 charts in one A4 page — breastfeeding, formula, solids, hunger cues, night feeds and foods to avoid.
⬇ Download Free PDF🤱 Breastfeeding
Feeds per day, timing between feeds and duration — from newborn through to 12 months.
🍼 Formula Feeding
Exact amounts in ml and oz, number of feeds and daily totals by age group.
🥕 Solid Foods
When to start, what textures to introduce and which foods to offer from 4 months onwards.
🌙 Night Feeds
What is developmentally normal at night — by age — so you know what to expect.
1
Breastfeeding Schedule — Birth to 12 Months
| Age | Feeds per Day | Time Between Feeds | Duration per Feed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newborn 0–2 weeks | 8–12 feeds | Every 1.5–3 hrs | 10–45 mins | Wake to feed if 3+ hours since last feed |
| 2–6 weeks | 8–10 feeds | Every 2–3 hrs | 10–30 mins | Supply establishing — feed on demand |
| 6 weeks–3 months | 7–9 feeds | Every 2–3 hrs | 10–20 mins | Growth spurts at 6 weeks and 3 months |
| 3–6 months | 6–8 feeds | Every 3–4 hrs | 10–20 mins | More efficient feeder — shorter sessions are normal |
| 6–9 months | 4–6 feeds | Every 3–4 hrs | 5–15 mins | Solids introduced — breast milk still primary nutrition |
| 9–12 months | 3–4 feeds | Every 4–5 hrs | 5–10 mins | Solids increase — breast milk remains important |
Breastfeeding Tips
- Feed on demand — hunger cues are more reliable than the clock
- 6+ wet nappies per day from day 5 onward = good milk intake
- Cluster feeding in evenings is normal — it builds your supply
- Growth spurts at 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months mean more feeds temporarily
2
Formula Feeding Guide — Birth to 12 Months
| Age | Amount per Feed | Feeds per Day | Total per Day | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | 30–60 ml (1–2 oz) | 8–12 | ~360–720 ml | Stomach size of a marble — small volumes only |
| 2–4 weeks | 60–90 ml (2–3 oz) | 7–8 | ~500–700 ml | Increase gradually — follow baby's lead |
| 1–2 months | 90–120 ml (3–4 oz) | 6–8 | ~600–800 ml | Begin to space feeds slightly longer |
| 2–4 months | 120–150 ml (4–5 oz) | 5–6 | ~600–800 ml | Predictable pattern emerging |
| 4–6 months | 150–180 ml (5–6 oz) | 4–5 | ~750–900 ml | Max ~240 ml per feed — do not overfeed |
| 6–8 months | 180–210 ml (6–7 oz) | 4 | ~720–840 ml | Solids starting — maintain formula intake |
| 8–10 months | 180–210 ml (6–7 oz) | 3–4 | ~600–750 ml | Formula still primary nutrition |
| 10–12 months | 180–240 ml (6–8 oz) | 3 | ~500–720 ml | Transition planning toward cow's milk at 12 months |
Formula Feeding Tips
- Never force baby to finish a bottle — overfeeding formula is easy
- Prepare formula fresh each time — discard unused formula after 1 hour
- Never add extra powder — follow manufacturer's instructions exactly
- Total daily formula should not exceed 1 litre (32 oz) at any age
3
Introducing Solid Foods — 4 to 12 Months
| Age | Stage | Texture | Foods to Introduce | Milk Feeds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4–6 months (if ready) | First tastes | Smooth runny puree | Single veg: carrot, sweet potato, parsnip, butternut squash. Single fruit: apple, pear, banana | 5–6 feeds Milk still primary |
| 6–7 months | Exploring flavours | Smooth to thick puree | Mixed veg and fruit. Baby rice, oat porridge. Well-cooked meat/fish pureed. Full-fat yoghurt | 4–5 feeds ~600 ml formula or BF |
| 7–9 months | Mashed & soft lumps | Mashed, soft lumps | Mashed family foods. Soft finger foods: banana, cooked carrot, toast strips. Eggs. Beans and lentils | 3–4 feeds ~500–600 ml formula or BF |
| 9–12 months | Family foods | Chopped, minced | Chopped family meals. Wider variety of protein. Self-feeding encouraged. Avoid salt, sugar, honey | 3 feeds ~400–500 ml formula or BF |
Solid Foods Tips
- Signs of readiness: sits with support, good head control, shows interest in food, tongue-thrust reflex gone
- Never start solids before 17 weeks (4 months) — digestive system is not ready
- Introduce one new food every 3 days to watch for allergic reactions
- Never add salt, sugar or honey to baby food under 12 months
- Always offer water in a cup from 6 months alongside solids
4
Hunger and Fullness Cues
🍼 Hunger Cues — Feed Now
- ● Rooting — turning head, opening mouth
- ● Sucking fists or fingers
- ● Bringing hands to mouth repeatedly
- ● Lip smacking or tongue movements
- ● Fussing or restlessness
- ● Crying — late hunger cue, harder to feed when crying
✋ Fullness Cues — Stop Feeding
- ● Turns head away from breast or bottle
- ● Closes mouth or seals lips
- ● Pushes bottle or breast away
- ● Relaxes hands — unclenches fists
- ● Falls asleep at breast or bottle
- ● Distracted, looks around, loses interest
5
Night Feeding — What Is Normal by Age
| Age | Night Feeds Expected | What Is Normal |
|---|---|---|
| 0–6 weeks | 3–5 feeds | Every 2–3 hours around the clock. Newborns cannot sleep through — biologically normal |
| 6 weeks–3 months | 2–4 feeds | One longer stretch of 3–5 hours may appear. Night waking is still developmentally normal |
| 3–6 months | 1–3 feeds | Some babies sleep 5–6 hour stretches. Many still wake 2–3 times. Both are normal |
| 6–9 months | 0–2 feeds | Many but not all babies can go longer. Solids do not reliably improve night sleep |
| 9–12 months | 0–1 feed | Most babies no longer need night feeds nutritionally. Many still wake from habit |
Night Feeding Reality Check
- Waking at night is biologically normal for babies — it is not a problem to fix
- Solids do not make babies sleep through the night — this is a myth
- If your baby is gaining weight and has wet nappies — night feeding is working
6
Foods to Avoid — Under 12 Months
| Food / Drink | Why to Avoid | When Safe |
|---|---|---|
| Honey | Risk of infant botulism — serious bacterial illness | After 12 months |
| Cow's milk as drink | Kidneys cannot process — use as ingredient in cooking only | After 12 months |
| Salt | Kidneys cannot handle — damages developing renal system | Minimal after 12 months |
| Added sugar | No nutritional value — sets up preference for sweet foods | Minimise always |
| Whole nuts | Choking hazard | Ground from 6 months. Whole after 5 years |
| Unpasteurised cheese | Listeria risk | Pasteurised fine from 6 months |
| Raw shellfish | Food poisoning risk — immune system immature | Well-cooked from 6 months |
| Shark / swordfish | High mercury content | Avoid all first year |
| Juice / squash | Sugar damages teeth — no nutritional benefit | Small amounts diluted after 12 months |
📄 Download the Full Chart as a Free PDF
Print it out and keep it on the fridge. All 6 charts in one A4 page — ready to use from day one.
⬇ Download Free Feeding Chart PDFMore Guides for New Parents
Medical Disclaimer: This feeding chart is provided for general information and guidance only. Always consult your health visitor, midwife, pediatrician, or GP if you have any concerns about your baby's feeding, weight gain or development. Every baby is different — use this chart as a guide, not a rule.
Free resource from ParntHub.com — Parenting Guidance from Baby Steps to Teen Years | www.parnthub.com
Free resource from ParntHub.com — Parenting Guidance from Baby Steps to Teen Years | www.parnthub.com