Is My Baby Getting Enough Milk? A Guide to Breastmilk Intake For the First Year

Published on February 22, 2025

Author: Robin Kaplan, M.Ed, IBCLC, FNC

One of the most common questions we get asked by clients is, “How much breastmilk does my baby need?” Whether your baby is breastfed, bottle-fed, or combination-fed, their breastmilk (and/or formula) intake stays fairly consistent during the first six months. However, after solids are introduced, it can get a bit confusing to determine how much milk they still need. 

To help clear up the confusion, we’ve put together this month-by-month guide so you can feel confident about your baby’s nutritional needs throughout their first year.

ABOUT SDBFC

The San Diego Breastfeeding Center was established in 2009 by Robin Kaplan, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, Functional Nutritionist, and parent.  Her vision was to create a judgment-free, inclusive support system for families navigating infant feeding challenges.  SDBFC offers a wide range of one-on-one breastfeeding, infant feeding, and nutrition consultations - as well as classes, support groups, online articles, and social media - making it your one-stop-shop for all things infant feeding!

Month-by-Month Breastmilk Intake Guide

While every baby is unique, their milk intake generally follows a predictable pattern during the first year. These patterns are based on factors like age, weight, growth spurts, and the introduction of solid foods. In the newborn stage, babies eat frequently as their tiny stomachs grow and adjust. By a few months old, their feedings become more efficient and predictable. Around six months, solids are introduced, but breastmilk or formula remains their primary source of nutrition. As babies near their first birthday, they gradually rely more on solid foods, though milk is still an essential part of their diet.

0-2 weeks (what to expect)

• Small stomach capacity and frequent feedings (8-12 times per day).

• Milk increases drastically over the first 2 weeks 

• Average intake (on average): 

• Week 1: 5ml/feeding for Day 1; 10-15ml/feeding for Day 2; 15-30ml/feeding Day 3; 30-45ml/feeding Days 4-7

• Week 2: 60ml/feeding Days 8-10; 60-90ml/feeding Days 11-14

Additional blog articles about this stage:

I’ve Had My Baby - Now What? Breastfeeding During the First Week

I’ve Had My Baby - Now What? Breastfeeding During the Second Week

2 weeks - 12 weeks (what to expect)

• Increased milk production and more predictable feeding patterns - Roughly every 3 hours during the day, cluster feeding in the evening, and then starting to get longer stretches in the middle of the night.

• Growth spurts around 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 6 weeks, and 3 months - more cluster feeding and less sleeping for a few days.

• Average intake (based on weight).  Divide the total daily amount by the number of feedings to figure out how much baby needs per feeding.

• 6lbs - 16oz-20oz per day

• 7lbs - 18oz-22oz per day

• 8lbs - 20oz-24oz per day

• 9lbs - 22oz-26oz per day

• 10lbs - 24oz-28oz per day

• 11lbs - 26oz-30oz per day

• 12lbs - 28oz-32oz per day

• 13lbs+ - 30oz-32oz per day

Additional blog articles about this stage:

I’ve Had My Baby - Now What? Breastfeeding During the Weeks 3-6

I’ve Had My Baby - Now What? Breastfeeding During Months 2-6

3-6 Months (what to expect)

• Quicker chest/breastfeeding and bottle feeding sessions - babies are no nonsense with feeding.  They are more efficient and are very interested in everything that is going on around them.

• Potentially distracted while feeding during the day, which may cause them to wake more at night to feed.  

• Average milk (and/or formula) intake continues to be based on the baby's weight: same as above.

Additional blog articles about this stage:

I’ve Had My Baby - Now What? Breastfeeding During Months 2-6

6-9 Months (what to expect)

• Introduction of solid foods, but breast milk (and/or formula) remains primary nutrition

• Average milk (and/or formula) intake continues to be based on the baby's weight: same as above.

Additional blog articles about this stage:

Breastfeeding the Older Baby - What to Expect at 6-9 months

9-12 Months (what to expect)

• Increased independence with solids and possible decrease in nursing frequency

• As babies increase their solids frequency and intake amount, the amount of breastmilk (and/or formula) starts to decrease

• Average intake: 24 oz/day, decreasing slowly to about 12oz/day by 12 months (if the baby is eating 3 full meals with snacks by this age)

• Since breastmilk (or formula) intake varies based on solid food consumption, monitoring your baby's weight can help guide you to determine their milk needs. On average, babies gain 2-3 oz per week at this stage.

Additional blog articles about this stage:

Breastfeeding the Older Baby - What to Expect at 9-12 months

If you’re feeling unsure about how much breastmilk (and/or formula) your baby needs or how to balance breastfeeding/chestfeeding with solids, you’re not alone—we’re here to help!

As your baby grows, their milk intake and feeding patterns will continue to evolve, but you don’t have to navigate these changes alone. Whether you’re wondering if your baby is getting enough milk, adjusting to the introduction of solids, or trying to find the right balance between nursing and bottle-feeding, we’re here to support you. Schedule a one-on-one appointment (consider a virtual appointment, if you don’t live in San Diego!) with one of our lactation consultants for personalized care and expert advice tailored to your baby’s unique needs.

SDBFC is committed to providing high-quality lactation and functional nutrition consultations to parents in San Diego and beyond. Explore our postpartum, prenatal, and functional nutrition consultations, take a breastfeeding class or attend a workshop.

About the Author

Robin Kaplan has been an IBCLC since 2009, the same year that she opened up the San Diego Breastfeeding Center.  Robin was the founding host of the Boob Group podcast and published her first book, Latch: a Handbook for Breastfeeding with Confidence at Every Stage in 2018.  Melding her passions for supporting lactating parents and holistic health, Robin finished her Functional Nutrition Certification in 2023. In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with her two teenage boys, hiking, traveling, weaving, cooking, and searching for the best chai latte.

Breastfeeding the Older Baby - What to Expect at 6-9 months

Originally published on March 9, 2016

Revised October 5, 2024 

Author: Robin Kaplan, M.Ed, IBCLC, FNC

Wondering what breastfeeding/chestfeeding look like when your baby is 6-9 months? As our little ones continue to grow physically {begin to roll over, sit up, crawl} and developmentally {sleep longer stretches at night and interact more with the world around them}, we notice the impact of these changes on their feeding patterns.

In this blog series, Breastfeeding the Older Baby - What to Expect and How to Adjust, we will answer some of the most common questions and concerns we hear from parents, as they navigate breastfeeding/chestfeeding a 6-9 month old. What are some normal behaviors to expect from a baby this age and how can you tell if there’s a challenge that you should seek lactation support for?

ABOUT SDBFC

The San Diego Breastfeeding Center was established in 2009 by Robin Kaplan, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, Functional Nutritionist, and parent.  Her vision was to create a judgment-free, inclusive support system for families navigating infant feeding challenges. 

SDBFC offers a wide range of one-on-one breastfeeding, infant feeding, and nutrition consultations - as well as classes, support groups, online articles, and social media - making it your one-stop-shop for all things infant feeding!

What does breastfeeding/chestfeeding look like in months 6-9?

How often should a baby be breastfeeding and how long should feedings take?

At 6-9 months, breastmilk is still a vital source of nutrition, even as your baby starts to explore solid foods. The frequency and length of breastfeeding/chestfeeding sessions may vary depending on your baby’s appetite and routine, but here are some general guidelines:

• Breastfeeding frequency: Typically, babies breastfeed/chestfeed around 5-6 times per day at this stage, with some babies still nursing in the middle of the night, as well. 

• Duration of feedings: Babies at this age can be very effective at removing a lot of milk in a very short period of time.  Each nursing session may last anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes (on average), depending on your baby’s efficiency, interest, and when they last fed. 

• Feeding positions: As your baby becomes increasingly mobile, you may notice that they may want to move from the cradle hold to sitting or standing or some variety of nursing gymnastics.  Handing your baby something soft or crinkly to play with while nursing may help them focus and stay in one position until they are finished feeding.

My baby is eating solid food now, how does this impact our breastfeeding/chestfeeding routine?

Introducing solid foods to your baby’s diet can shift your breastfeeding/chestfeeding routine, but your milk continues to be the main source of nutrition. Here’s how solids may impact your feeding routine and how to protect your milk supply in the process:

• Complementary, not replacement: Solids are meant to complement your milk at this stage, not replace it. Continue to breastfeed/chestfeed (or offer a bottle of your pumped milk) before solid meals to maintain milk intake.

• Keep serving sizes of solid foods small: The goal for solids between 6-9 months is to familiarize your baby with different tastes and textures, while also developing hand-eye coordination, as your little one learns to self-feed.  Keeping serving sizes small will ensure that your baby will not fill up on solids and continues to take around 30oz a day of your milk by breastfeeding and/or bottle. 

Ensuring milk production: To keep your milk supply stable, continue breastfeeding/chestfeeding on demand and ensure regular milk removal through nursing or pumping.

How much weight should my baby be gaining at this age?

After six months of age, normal weight gain for a breastfed/chestfed baby is 2-3oz per week. Weight gain slows during this time as babies begin to roll over, scoot, crawl, and walk, burning more calories by being more active throughout the day. If you are ever concerned about your baby’s weight gain patterns, you can reference theWHO growth charts, which were created specifically for breastfed/chestfed infants.

My baby keeps biting me while breastfeeding/chestfeeding.  What can I do to stop this?

If your baby is biting while breastfeeding/chestfeeding, it can be painful, but there are ways to gently prevent and correct this behavior. Here are some tips to help stop biting during feedings:

• Watch for signs: Pay attention to cues that your baby may be done feeding or about to bite, such as decreasing swallows, adjusting their latch, or giving you a smirk like they are about to do something to get your attention. If you see one of these signs, immediately unlatch your baby before they have an opportunity to sink their teeth into you.

• End the feeding calmly: If your baby bites, immediately stop the feeding and calmly but firmly say "no biting" or "that hurts." This helps your baby understand the connection between biting and the end of feeding.

• Offer alternatives: Babies may bite when teething or exploring new sensations. Offer a cold teething toy or a chilled cloth before or after nursing to soothe sore gums.

• Stay consistent: Respond the same way each time your baby bites, using calm but firm guidance. With repetition, your baby will begin to understand that biting interrupts feeding.

If you still have questions about breastfeeding/chestfeeding or offering solids to your 6-9 month old, we are just a consult away!

As your baby continues to grow and develop, their feeding patterns will naturally change, but navigating these transitions doesn't have to be stressful. Whether you're adjusting to a new breastfeeding/chestfeeding schedule, introducing solids, or dealing with challenges like biting, it's important to feel confident in your approach. If you have further questions or concerns about feeding your 6-9 month old, or need guidance on maintaining your milk supply, the San Diego Breastfeeding Center is here to help. Book a one-on-one appointment with one of our lactation consultants today for personalized support tailored to you and your baby’s needs.

SDBFC is committed to providing high-quality lactation and functional nutrition consultations to parents in San Diego and beyond. Explore our postpartum, prenatal, and functional nutrition consultations, take a breastfeeding class or attend a workshop.

About the Author

Robin Kaplan has been an IBCLC since 2009, the same year that she opened up the San Diego Breastfeeding Center.  Robin was the founding host of the Boob Group podcast and published her first book, Latch: a Handbook for Breastfeeding with Confidence at Every Stage in 2018.  Melding her passions for supporting lactating parents and holistic health, Robin finished her Functional Nutrition Certification in 2023. In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with her two teenage boys, hiking, traveling, weaving, cooking, and searching for the best chai latte.

Related Posts

Sleeping Like A Baby – 4-12 Months

By Jen Varela 

Have you been asked this question: How is your baby sleeping?  This is my least favorite question because it puts the parent in a position to evaluate or validate their parenting skills based on their child’s sleep.  The reality is that your baby’s sleep habits may have everything to do with brain development and how the brain organizes sleep cycles and awake windows. I think the perfect answer to that question is: “They are sleeping like a baby!”

What does it mean to sleep like a baby?

The first thing to consider is how much sleep your little one is getting. The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) recommends that infants age 4 to 11 months sleep for 12 to 15 hours in a 24-hour period, while toddlers age 1 to 2 years old get 11 to 14 hours of sleep during that same time frame. The NSF has a very informative chart listing recommended hours of sleep for children and adults at its website, which can be a helpful resource for parents.

As your baby grows month by month, the amount of sleep they will need in a 24-hour period will decrease, along with the number of naps they will have in the day. One of the most challenging times for parents is when their infants are between 4 and 5 months in age: The length of a nap will range from 20 minutes to two hours, and the number of naps in the day could be anywhere between three and five.

Although the NSF doesn’t categorize sleep as day sleep or night sleep, the time of day when the nap happens and the combined total hours of sleep during naps do affect night sleep.  The myth “if your baby skips a nap, then he will be tired and sleep better at night” might sound logical, but the reality is that the placement and quantity of day sleep can affect the number of night awakenings and create early rising patterns. 

So how do you know when your baby should nap?  Using the 12-hour clock to schedule naps for your little one might be effective; however, focusing on how long your little one is awake between naps, and especially between the last nap and bedtime, is where the magic happens. When a baby is awake too long, cortisol is released in the system, which gives your little one a “second wind” and suppresses the sleep pressure.  Once the cortisol has dissipated, you will have a second opportunity to get your child to sleep. There is a direct link to spending too much time awake before bedtime and an increase in night awakenings. 

Here is a general guideline to the number of naps you can expect your child to take, based on age:

• 4-5 months - 3-4 naps

• 6-8 months - 3 naps

• 9-12 months - 2 naps

Just as the total amount of sleep needed in a 24-hour period will decrease with age, the amount of time your baby can be awake between naps will increase. 

Here are recommended ranges of awake time between naps, by age:

• 4-5 months - 90-minutes

• 6-8 months - 1 ½ to 2 hours

• 9-10 months - 2-3 hours 

• 11-12 months - 3-4 hours

There is also another HUGE factor affecting your baby’s sleep. Sleep “regressions” are really “progressions” related to developmental milestones and major lifestyle shifts called world view changes.  Developmental milestones will be sleep disruptors, as children spend more time in active Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep. According to researcher Nathaniel Kleitman , “REM dreaming allows us to process daytime emotional experiences and transfer recent memories into longer-term storage.” On the other hand, the purpose of quiet, non-REM sleep is to allow the mind and body to rest and recharge. 

The biggest sleep disruptors related to developmental milestones and world view changes:

• World view changes: Moving, travel, parents going back to work, new caregiver or daycare

• Developmental milestones:

  • 4-6 months – A big developmental burst occurs between 4 and 5 months and many babies go through a sleep regression during this time. 

• Finds toes

• Vision increases 

• “Personality” shows up

• 6-9 months

  • Rolls over in both directions

  • Sits momentarily without support

  • Crawling begins

• 9-11 months

  • Pulls self to standing

  • Cruises the furniture

• 12 months

  • Takes a few steps

During times when it is clear that your little one is waking at night because of a developmental leap, the very best thing you can do is protect their sleep.  Helping your child get back to sleep and keeping the night awake time to a minimum will help keep the “sleep tank” full. Once they are not working on that new developmental milestone, the night awakening frequency will decrease.  It is the same concept for teething and sickness—protect their sleep and get them back to sleep as soon as possible. (I also have other sleep tips to help your baby during sickness. )

Babies will have the largest amount of brain growth in their lifetimes during the first eight months of life. Sleep is a large part of that growth, and when your little one gets the necessary amount of sleep it improves the quality of sleep for the whole family. I promise that sleep is in your future, even if your baby’s sleep habits seem to always be changing. It won’t always be like this.

Top Tips:

• Be mindful of the amount of time awake, especially before bedtime.

• Avoid sleep deprivation; you want to keep the “sleep tank” full, making sure your little one is getting enough sleep in 24 hours.  Note: Even 20 minutes more a day can make a difference.

• Develop a bedtime routine that you do in the same fashion and order each night, with wind-down activities such as a massage, song, or book.

• Ask your doctor when:

• You notice your baby snores loudly and persistently.

• Total sleep time is less than 9 hours in a 24-hour period.

• You are considering night weaning.

For almost a decade, Jen Varela, a Certified Gentle Sleep Coach®, co-author of “Loved to Sleep”, and the founder of Sugar Night Night, has been helping families teach their babies and toddlers to sleep through the night while keeping tears to a minimum.

As a pediatric sleep consultant, Jen focuses on the needs of each family’s unique sleep goals whether they are a co-sleeping family, room share with their child or the child is in their own room. She is located in San Diego, California and provides video coaching nationwide. She offers one-one-one sleep coaching services and workshops for 4 ½ month old’s to 5 years old, education and sleep shaping information for parents with infants under 4 ½ months.

www.sugarnightnight.com
http://www.facebook.com/SugarNightNight

Instagram: @SugarNightNight

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenvarela/

Iron Rich Foods for Infants and Toddlers

Rachel is a pediatric dietitian and mom to an infant and toddler.  She is the instructor of the “Introduction to Solids” at the San Diego Breastfeeding Center.  Join us for the next Introduction to Solids class on February 17th at 10:00am.  More information and registration can be found here.

At your baby’s 4 or 6 month checkup, your doctor may discuss starting your baby on solid foods.  It is an exciting time – up until this point your baby has been taking in all of his nutrition from breast milk or formula, and you get to shape his palate with new flavors and textures over the next 6 months and beyond. Your doctor may have talked to you about introducing iron rich foods early on. This is because iron stores in your baby typically start to become depleted around 6 months of age. I typically recommend families wait until 6 months of age to start solids (although I have heard pediatricians recommend between 4-6 months). 

It is common to hear that infant fortified cereals are a good first food.  Why?  Infant cereals are typically fortified with iron and lots of other vitamins and minerals, which is why foods like rice cereal have historically been discussed as a good first food. BUT now we know that iron fortified cereals are not the only option, and many parents skip them altogether to start on solid foods. Another benefit of skipping these cereals is that early exposure to more tastes and flavors has been shown to increase baby’s interest in the tastes and textures of new foods in the future.  Here are some great iron rich foods to offer right from the start:

Meats: meats can be a great food to introduce early on. Try stewing meats or using a slow cooker to allow for a softer texture.  If you are introducing pureed foods, you may need to add a bit of water with meats to allow the food to blend or try blending with other great first foods like avocado and sweet potato. If you are using a baby led weaning approach, try soft meatballs with minced chicken or beef.  Make chili and soup with chicken, beef, turkey and lamb. 

Lentils and beans:  I love these as dips, added to a sauce or as finger foods for a bit older baby.  Beans and lentils are super easy to make. Mash on their own or add to a sauce.  And if you take my introduction to solids class, I always bring in a sample that’s parent and baby approved, such as my green pea hummus or lentils - you can use these interchangeably as a puree for baby or a great dip for a slightly older toddler or an adult.  

Greens: spinach, chard and kale are a few food sources of iron. Saute them with other vegetables or combine them in a puree with meats. As your baby learns to drink out of a straw or an open cup add greens to a fruit smoothie for some added nutrition.

Eggs: Eggs are a good source of iron. An egg scramble with veggies is a great way to get in some iron, and lots of vitamins and minerals.

Grains: Often overlooked, but some grains are high in iron.  Some of my favorites include teff, amaranth, quinoa and millet.  Make cereals with these grains, use in chili or stew, or make muffins or bread.

These are only a few great sources of iron. Although breastmilk is typically thought of as a poor iron source, the iron in breastmilk is absorbed very well by baby and is still an excellent source of iron for your growing child.

And one more tip – iron is better absorbed with a source of vitamin C.  So for better absorption of iron pair an iron rich food with something like citrus fruits, berries, broccoli, apples or tomatoes. Also- breastmilk is an excellent source of vitamin C!

And remember that providing a balance of nutrients is important – iron is one of several important nutrients once baby starts solids. 

Want to learn more?  Join me at my upcoming Introduction to Solids class at The San Diego Breastfeeding Center on February 17th. Click here to register and for more information.

When Should I Introduce Solids While Breastfeeding?

Dear SDBFC,

Thanks for responding to this question on Facebook the other day, but I would love to hear more on this topic: does breast milk start losing its nutritional value after 6 months? If the pediatrician states solids (in particular enriched rice cereal) twice a day are needed, are there any alternate opinions? I'm curious if the WHO or LLL have any alternate evidence.

Sincerely,

Abby

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Dear Abby,

Thank you for your excellent questions.  Solids are a huge topic of discussion in our weekly breastfeeding support group and pretty much every pediatrician in town has a different philosophy.  Here’s what the official organizations recommend:

The World Health Organization: “Infants should be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life to achieve optimal growth, development, and health.  Thereafter, to meet their evolving nutritional requirements, infants should receive nutritionally adequate and safe complementary foods while breastfeeding continues up to two years or beyond.

The American Academy of Pediatrics: “Introduction of complementary feedings before six months of age generally does not increase total caloric intake or rate of growth and only substitutes foods that lack the protective components of human milk.”

Based on these recommendations, it is not that the breast milk is losing nutritional value at 6 months, or even a year!  It is that your baby is beginning to need additional nutrition, which is supplied by complementary foods.  Plus, complementary foods start out as little bites, not full bowls of food.  It is a very slow process.

So why do these organizations recommend delaying solid foods until your baby is at least 6 months? 

Here’s what the research says.....

1. Your baby’s digestive tract is not fully ready to accept anything other than breast milk until she/he is at least 6 months old.  This is when your baby’s intestinal tract is finally sealed against allergens and will be able to digest a greater variety of foods.

2. As stated on Kellymom.com, the pancreatic enzyme amylase does not reach adequate levels for digestion of starches until around 6 months, and carbohydrate enzymes such as maltase, isomaltase, and sucrase do not reach adult levels until around 7 months. Young infants also have low levels of lipase and bile salts, so fat digestion does not reach adult levels until 6-9 months.  When foods aren’t digested well, babies can have negative reactions (eczema, gas, constipation, etc.) 

3. Most babies don’t need iron supplementation (see our article Do All Exclusively Breastfed Babies Really Need Iron Supplementation to see if your baby is one who is at risk for anemia), so the excess iron given through iron-fortified foods (cereals) actually DECREASES a baby’s efficiency in iron absorption when given before 6 months of age.  Most exclusively breastfed babies have enough iron stored in their bodies to last for at least 6-9 months.

4. Delaying solids helps to protect a mom’s milk supply and decreases her risk of early weaning.

So, do you have to start with iron-fortified rice cereal when your baby is ready for solids?  NO!  Iron-fortified white rice cereal is almost completely void of nutritional value.  I am completely guilty of starting this with my oldest child, as I didn’t know any better, yet it was such a waste. 

Go for the whole grains and foods! 

Choose REAL food! 

What are your options for those first solid foods? 

One of my favorite websites, Wholesome Baby Food, gives a fantastic list of foods to start with your infant.  La Leche League gives similar recommendations, as well.  How much better does this list sound than boring rice cereal?

Avocado

Banana

Whole grain cereal

Pear

Squash

Sweet potatoes

Lastly, do you have to start solids the minute your baby turns 6 months old?  No.  Wait until your baby is showing signs of being able to tolerate solid foods, such as sitting up unassisted, developing a ‘pincer’ grasp, and is willing to gnaw and chew food.  For a detailed article about solid food readiness, check out Kellymom.com’s article, Is My Baby Ready for Solid Foods?,  as well as The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding.

Sincerely,

SDBFC

Do you have a question you would like answered by our lactation consultant? Please post it in the comment section, on our Facebook page, or to our Twitter Account (@SanDiegoBFC). We would love to feature it in an upcoming Help A Breastfeeding Mama Out article!