Parents often inquire about the recommended breastfeeding frequency for 9-month-old babies. As your baby grows, their need for milk and food changes. It differs significantly from earlier stages of infancy where breast milk is their sole source of nutrition. This can make you wonder if you are doing the right things for your baby.
As a pediatrician, this is one of my favorite ages. Mostly because 9-month-old babies are in a fun stage of life. They are still babies, but they are beginning to stand on their own two feet. At this age, babies move more and can get into more trouble if you aren’t watching them closely. Your 9-month-old should be pulling themselves up, cruising around furniture, and picking up small things from the floor. Often, they will find little things in the carpet that you didn’t even know existed.
In addition to the new milestones, your baby’s caloric needs are changing. For the first 6-9 months of their life, milk was their most important source of calories. As your baby approaches 9-12 months, solid foods become a more important source of nutrition. As a result of these differences, you may notice that your breast milk supply decreases. This is completely normal as it is meant to match your baby’s needs.
Another difference for babies at this age is that around 9 months old, a baby’s growth velocity or how rapidly they grow starts to slow down. You may also notice a change in their weight as they are burning more calories by moving more. In this article, we will look more closely at all of these changes so that you can feel confident in making food choices for your baby.
How to properly nourish your 9 month old
When planning meals for 9 to 12-month-old babies, it is important to consider that breast milk or formula should still constitute a significant portion of their calorie intake. Aim for three meals a day, with snacks in between, and offer breast milk or formula at least three to four times a day.
At this age, approximately half of their daily calories should come from breast milk. Your baby needs about 900 calories per day. Half of their calories translate into about 20-24 ounces of breast milk or formula per 24 hours.
In addition to milk, introduce a variety of solid foods to your baby. This includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and meat. Babies at this age can pick up small pieces of food with their pincer grasp. Make sure to offer foods that are high in iron and introduce allergenic foods early in their diet. By this age, your goal should be to incorporate your baby into family meal times. Just remember to avoid foods that can cause your baby to choke. Avoid whole grapes, large chunks of hot dogs and blueberries. You should cut these foods into smaller pieces or smash whole blueberries with your fingers to decrease the risks of choking. Foods like popcorn and whole nuts should be avoided until your baby is much older.
Finally, be aware that babies have a tendency to be messy eaters. Food play and self feeding are important aspects of your baby’s growth and development. To reduce mess, provide small portions and closely monitor mealtime. You can also put a mat under your baby’s high chair or alert the family dog to come clean up the mess.
Breastfeeding and Foods
The AAP and WHO both recommend exclusively breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life. Breast milk contains all the necessary nutrients and antibodies that a baby needs during this important stage. In addition, breast milk (or formula) provides a balanced mix of vitamins, protein, and fat to support the baby’s rapid growth. Your baby does not need anything additional during the first 6 months of their life.
Once your baby reaches 6 months old, it is time to introduce solid foods while you continue to breastfeed (or give formula). Introducing solids to breastfeeding babies may seem tricky at first, but there is really no wrong way to do it. As a pediatrician, there are several things that I recommend that you keep in mind.
- Start with iron rich foods like fortified baby cereals, shredded or ground meat or iron rich green vegetables
- Know that babies needs fat – whole milk yogurt, cheese, avocado are all good sources of fat
- Introduce allergenic foods early- fish, egg and peanut protein
- Avoid foods that can cause choking such as whole grapes, whole hot dogs, nuts, popcorn
- Do not give honey to babies under the age of 12 months
- Expect changes in their poop- more stinky, green poop, sometimes constipation
- Don’t stress about baby led weaning vs purees- no evidence that either is better
- Babies do not need teeth to begin solid foods
At first, breast milk is more important than food and gradually that balance shifts as your baby reaches 9 months and older. The ultimate goal is that your baby receives the majority of their calories from solid foods at 12 months and beyond.
Breast Milk Needs
Babies between 9 months and 1 year of age usually need approximately 750-900 calories per day, with approximately half of those calories obtained from breast milk. Breast milk will continue to supply essential nutrients and support their developing immune system, but it will no longer be their sole source of nutrition.
Some breastfed babies may take longer to develop an interest in solid foods. As they are exposed to various flavors through breast milk, some babies may prefer it and not feel the same need for other types of food.
When you think back to the newborn days, you may remember that your young baby breastfed 8-12 times per day. As your baby gets older and more efficient at the breast, the number of feedings decreases because their volume of milk per feeding increases. Additionally, as your baby consumes more solid foods, they will nurse even less frequently than in those early days.
Typically, 9 month old babies nurse or take breast milk 3-5 times per day. Alternatively, formula-fed babies at this age may have 8 ounces of formula three times per day. Breastfed babies rarely take more than 6 ounces per feeding unlike their formula feeding counterparts.
Sample Feeding Schedule for 9 month old
This is a sample feeding / sleeping schedule for a 9 month old baby to give you an idea of what your day might look like. There is a lot of variability among baby’s food and sleep needs, so use this as a starting place to design a routine for your baby.
Pointers on how to wean breastfeeding
Ideally, weaning your baby will take place slowly over time. This is best for both your body and your baby. If you pump at work, start by pumping for shorter sessions. Once you have shortened sessions, then you can start dropping pumping sessions. Eventually, depending on your goals, you can stop pumping all together. If your goal is to breastfeed for at least a year, most mothers quit pumping at work once their baby reaches their first birthday. You can continue to nurse your baby at home a couple of times per day even if you are not pumping at work.
If you desire to completely wean your baby from breastfeeding, you can gradually reduce the number of nursing sessions per day. You can substitute a nursing session for other fluids depending on your baby’s age. Babies younger than 12 months would need formula, but older babies could substitute cow’s milk or water to meet their fluid needs.
In addition to their nutritional needs, you need to consider a baby’s (and your) emotional needs during weaning. You can substitute other bonding activities for nursing sessions. Snuggling in the rocking chair, reading a book together or even sending your partner in to substitute for a former nursing session can make things easier. It can also be beneficial to spend quality time with your baby and provide emotional support in other ways throughout the weaning process.
Also consider complications of weaning such as engorgement, plugged ducts and even mastitis. You can relieve engorgement by hand expressing or pumping for a short period of time to release pressure from stored milk. Just be sure to only express enough to be comfortable. Too much stimulation will continue to maintain your milk supply instead of decreasing it. Gradually shorten breastfeeding sessions until you can drop sessions all together. In addition, use cold compresses and/or take ibuprofen to alleviate discomfort if needed. Watch out for signs of mastitis like fever or redness in the breast.
On the other hand, if you are looking to wean quickly, consult with your primary care physician or a breastfeeding medicine specialist. We can recommend medications that can help you to decrease your milk supply precipitously. Pseudoephedrine, cabergoline and high doses of pure peppermint can aid in rapidly decreasing milk supply.
How Can 127 Pediatrics Help You?
At 127 Pediatrics, we offer concierge level pediatric and breastfeeding care. If you are near Colleyville, Texas and would like to know more about our in person services, fill out a contact form on our website for a free meet and greet. If you are not close to our practice, but would like breastfeeding support, we offer an array of services. From free resources like this blog or our YouTube channel all the way up to paid resources such as our online breastfeeding overview course. We would be honored to be part of your breastfeeding journey.
© 127 Pediatrics, January 2024
Please note that this article is purely for informational purposes and should not be interpreted as medical advice.
Dr. Andrea Wadley owns and operates 127 Pediatrics, a pediatric and lactation practice in Colleyville, TX. She specializes in pediatrics, breastfeeding medicine and offers house calls only. Additionally, Dr. Wadley is the owner of the 127 Pediatrics Online Breastfeeding Medicine and Education Center. We have many free resources for breastfeeding mothers. Subscribe to our YouTube channel or download a free breastfeeding checklist.
