There’s a simple way to know if your baby is getting enough food: let them decide! Babies and toddlers are good (better than adults!) at knowing when they’ve had enough and when they still need to eat. You can safely feed them as much as they’ll eat in a given meal and know that it’s around the right amount. Remember at this stage you need to offer food before their usual milk feeds to encourage them to have more of an appetite for food rather than filling up on milk.
While you might find guidelines on packaging or recommendations for how much to serve, remember they’re not set in stone. Your baby is a little person, with his or her own appetite and it’ll change from day to day. The key thing to remember is that healthy babies won’t starve themselves, if your baby needs to eat, they will.
Here are a few things to consider if you’re worried:
- How much a baby eats by the time they’re eight months can vary. It depends on when they first started on solids since it takes time to build up their food intake.
- The same quantity of food can appear different depending on how it’s served – like food that’s diced vs food that pureed. You could be feeding your baby more than you think.
- A baby who is teething or isn’t feeling well probably won’t have much of an appetite for a while. Then when their appetite returns don’t be surprised if it’s bigger than ever!
- If your baby was happy exploring or playing, they might be unhappy when you ask them to stop and eat. They’ll want to finish eating quickly and get back to their game
- Babies will eat more during a growth spurt, and their appetites will drop back to normal afterwards.
Remember, as long as your baby appears happy, and they’re growing well, you’re on the right track. The vast majority of healthy babies will eat just what they need. If you do become concerned about your baby’s weight and eating habits make sure you consult your health professional.
