How often should I be feeding my baby solid food?

The frequency of feeding solid foods to your baby depends on their age and individual needs. As a general guideline, you can follow these recommendations:

1. 6 months: When you first introduce solids, start with one meal per day. This can be a small amount, around 1-2 teaspoons of pureed food or infant cereal. As your baby gets more comfortable with solids, you can gradually increase the frequency of meals.

2. 7-8 months: At this stage, you can typically offer solid foods 2-3 times per day, along with breast milk or formula. Introduce a variety of pureed or mashed fruits, vegetables, grains, and proteins to expand your baby's palate and provide necessary nutrients.

3. 9-12 months: As your baby becomes more experienced with solids and can handle more textured foods, you can offer 3 meals per day and 1-2 snacks. Continue to provide breast milk or formula alongside solid foods.

4. 12 months and beyond: After your baby's first birthday, aim for 3 meals and 2-3 snacks per day, with a balance of fruits, vegetables, grains, proteins, and dairy products. At this stage, you can also start to introduce cow's milk and reduce the reliance on breast milk or formula.

Remember that every baby is different, and their appetite can vary from day to day. It's important to follow your baby's hunger cues and not to force them to eat if they're not interested. If you have concerns about your baby's food intake or nutrition, consult your pediatrician for guidance and recommendations tailored to your baby's specific needs and developmental stage.