Breastfeeding Schedule: How Often and How Much Breast Milk Your Baby Needs at Each Age (0–12 Months)

Discover how a breastfeeding schedule for babies can guide feeding frequency, portion sizes, and complementary foods to ensure healthy growth in the first year.

During the first year of life, the most important thing for a baby is breast milk. Following a proper breastfeeding schedule for babies ensures they get the right nutrition. It is the most complete source of nutrition, providing essential nutrients, protein, fat, vitamins, minerals, and immune-boosting compounds that cannot be found elsewhere. But many new mothers often wonder, “How many times a day should my baby breastfeed, and how much is enough?”

This article provides a clear breastfeeding schedule for babies and explains how to follow a proper breastfeeding schedule for babies (0–12 months) based on recommendations from UC Davis Children’s Hospital, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and the World Health Organization (WHO), helping mothers plan feeding with confidence.

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Why is a breastfeeding schedule important?

A breastfeeding schedule ensures that your baby receives adequate nutrition and energy for their age.
It helps monitor development and health, for example, if the baby is gaining weight appropriately, it indicates the milk intake is sufficient.
It prevents underfeeding or overfeeding, which can cause issues like bloating, vomiting, or excessive weight gain.
A schedule helps mothers manage time, especially working mothers who need to pump and store milk.

Breastfeeding Schedule and Feeding Frequency


Age Range	Breastfeeding Frequency	Complementary Foods:
0–1 Month	10–12 times/day	Not recommended
2 Months	8–10 times/day	Not recommended
3 Months	8–10 times/day	Not recommended
4–5 Months	6–7 times/day	Start trying complementary foods (if approved by a doctor)
6–7 Months	5–6 times/day	Mashed vegetables and fruits 2 oz per meal, 1–2 times/day
8–9 Months	4–6 times/day	Mashed vegetables/fruits 2–5 oz, 2 meals/day
10–12 Months	4 times/day	Mashed proteins (meat, beans, tofu), easy-to-dissolve snacks, ¼ cup rice/grains, ¼–½ cup vegetables, ¼–½ cup fruits, protein 2 meals/day, fresh juice ≤120 ml/day

References: UC Davis Children’s Hospital, The First 12 Months: What & When to Feed Your Baby (2013)

Breastfeeding Recommendations by Age

0–3 Months

Maximum frequency: 8–12 times/day, as the baby’s stomach is still small
Breast milk: Feed on demand, observing hunger cues such as crying, sucking on hands, or restlessness
Formula: Gradually increase from 2–3 oz to 4–5 oz per feeding
Tip: Don’t always rush the baby to finish the bottle; follow the baby’s satiety signals

4–5 Months

Frequency decreases to 6–7 times/day
Amount per feeding increases to 4–7 oz
May start introducing complementary foods gradually (as advised by a doctor)
AAP recommendation: Start age-appropriate foods once the baby can hold their head up and shows interest in food
WHO recommendation: Exclusive breastfeeding is advised until 6 months

6–7 Months

Entering the “complementary feeding stage,” but breast milk remains the main source of nutrition
Breastfeed 5–6 times/day, 5–7 oz per feeding
Complementary foods: Mashed vegetables and fruits 1–2 times/day, finely mashed
WHO recommendation: Continue breastfeeding up to 2 years alongside other foods

8–9 Months

Breastfeed 4–6 times/day
More variety in complementary foods: Mashed vegetables, fruits, meat, tofu, boiled egg yolk
Begin soft, coarse foods: Mashed rice, easy-to-dissolve baby snacks

10–12 Months

Breastfeed 4 times/day, or formula 6–7 oz per feeding, 3–4 times/day
Baby can have 3 meals + snacks
Recommended proteins: chicken, fish, beans, egg yolk (avoid egg white in the first year to prevent allergies)
Start training the baby to drink from a cup instead of a bottle

Tips for Adequate Breastfeeding

Feed on demand: Don’t stick strictly to a schedule; follow your baby’s cues
Observe satiety signals: Baby may stop sucking, turn away from the breast, or relax their body
Track weight gain: If the baby gains weight according to WHO standards, they are receiving enough nutrition
Mother’s diet: Eat a balanced diet and drink plenty of water to maintain milk supply
Avoid forcing feedings: Rushing the baby to finish can cause bloating, spit-up, or refusal to feed

WHO Weight Standards for Infants 0–12 Months


Age	Average Weight for Boys	Average Weight for Girls
Newborn	3.3 kg	3.2 kg
1 month	4.5 kg	4.2 kg
2 months	5.6 kg	5.1 kg
3 months	6.4 kg	5.8 kg
4 months	7.0 kg	6.4 kg
5 months	7.5 kg	6.9 kg
6 months	7.9 kg	7.3 kg
7 months	8.3 kg	7.6 kg
8 months	8.6 kg	7.9 kg
9 months	8.9 kg	8.2 kg
10 months	9.2 kg	8.5 kg
11 months	9.4 kg	8.7 kg
12 months	9.6 kg	8.9 kg

Reference: WHO Child Growth Standards (0–5 years)

How to Monitor if Your Baby’s Weight Follows WHO Standards

First 6 months: Weight should increase by an average of 600–900 g/month
By 5–6 months: Baby’s weight should be approximately double the birth weight
By 12 months: Baby’s weight should be approximately triple the birth weight

Signs to Consult a Doctor

No weight gain for more than 2 consecutive months
Weight significantly below WHO standards
Baby appears lethargic, rarely wakes to feed, or consistently refuses milk

Precautions

Do not give honey before 1 year old due to risk of botulism

Avoid choking hazards such as whole grapes, hard nuts, and popcorn
Do not add salt or sugar to complementary foods
Do not heat milk in a microwave, as uneven heat can burn the baby’s mouth

Breastfeeding in the first 12 months lays the foundation for your baby’s long-term health and development. The feeding schedule referenced from UC Davis and AAP is an average guideline; mothers should adjust according to their baby’s individual behavior. Remember, there is no strict formula for exact ounces—listen to your baby, observe hunger and fullness cues, and monitor weight according to standards.

UC Davis Children’s Hospital , American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) , World Health Organization (WHO)