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So your baby began eating solid foods a few months ago and you’re looking for a 9 month old meal plan. Welcome! You’re in the right place.
Introducing new foods is a super exciting time, but I vividly remember realllllly wanting to get my hands on a 9 month old meal plan. Any sample schedules for eating and sleeping are so helpful at ANY age. It is always nice to get an inside look into what the day in the life of a baby should look like. We all want to know that our babies are getting exactly what they need AND that they are getting the essential nutrients.
There is something quite intimidating about nourishing your little bundle of joy. Of course, you want to introduce them to a variety of foods they will love and crave more of. There is SO much to learn during that first year. So allow me to make feeding your baby at 9 months a little bit more simple.
Besides a 9 month old meal plan, you are also getting nutritious food ideas, what the diet of a 9 month old should look like, foods to avoid, helpful reminders, and more!
Before we dive in… do you have the LifeVac? This is something I bought BEFORE introducing my baby to solids. I promise it will give you SUCH peace of mind. God forbid your baby chokes on their food. Having a product that can literally save their life is critical. I have not had to use mine and hope to never have to. But you just never know. Choking does happen and having a LifeVac to clear their tiny airway is crucial. If you don’t have one, buy one now.
This post is all about 9 month old meal plan.
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9 Month Old Meal Plan
Nutrition for a 9 Month Old Baby
Let’s chat about your baby’s diet at 9 months. Breastmilk or formula should be your child’s main source of nutrition. Solid food should ALSO be added to your child’s everyday routine.
At 9 months your little darling should be getting between 750-900 calories a day. 400-500 should be coming from breast milk or formula.
When first introduced to solids, babies will typically use their whole hand to reach for food. At around 9-10 months old, your baby will begin developing their pincer grasp. This is an important milestone where they can use their thumb and index finger to pinch an object. At this time they can grasp or pinch their food.
With this being said, your baby has likely graduated from purees to small pieces or finger foods. Or maybe you jumped into baby-led weaning from the very beginning.
Baby Food Chart by Age
Having a baby food chart by age is INCREDIBLY helpful. Around the 5-month mark, my pediatrician handed me a chart detailing what food to introduce and when. It was just okay. It didn’t make my type A super organized heart happy. So I created an even better one.
It even includes a note-taking section where you can jot down whether or not your babe liked the food and the date you introduced it. IT IS ALSO FREE.
So if you’re looking for help with meal plans for your little one, this free printable is perfect for you.
Click the post below to access the greatest baby food chart by age.
(RELATED POST: Informative Beginner’s Guide: Baby Food Chart by Age | This Will Help You Plan Mealtime)
How much solid food for 9 month old baby?
A 9-month-old baby should be getting 750-900 calories a day. HOWEVER, it is important to note that not all babies are the same. Things also change from day to day. If your baby is feeling under the weather, you can expect their eating intake to be affected.
You may discover that your baby can really put it away and eat more than the caloric recommendation. Or maybe they eat less.
The BEST thing you can do is to regularly offer nutritious and healthy foods. Don’t stress if your baby pushes the food you offer away or doesn’t want what you’re offering. Consistency is key. It can take SEVERAL introductions to a food before your baby agrees to try it or even likes it.
Pay close attention to your baby’s cues.
Here are signs that your baby is hungry:
- Reaches for food
- Points to food
- Opens mouth
- Face lights up when he or she sees food
- Signs/signals for more
Here are signs that your baby is full:
- Pushes food away
- Turns away from food
- Closes mouth when offered more food
- Signals all done
Ideas to Feed Your 9 Month Old
Of course, you’ll want to maintain a balanced feeding schedule (which we will get into below).
Here are some ideas to feed your 9 month old:
- Fruit-apricot, blueberries, papaya, grapes, melon, kiwi, mango, cherries, coconut, pineapple
- Vegetables- peas, beans, broccoli, zucchini, asparagus, cauliflower, bell pepper, spinach, okra
- Cereals/grains- quinoa, barley, oats, pasta, wheat
- Meat/dairy- salmon, light tuna, white fish, egg, beef, turkey, lamb, cheese
Add these to your 9 month old meal plan.
Did you remember to download your baby food chart by age free printable? Go ahead and grab it from the post below.
(RELATED: Informative Beginner’s Guide: Baby Food Chart by Age)
Food to Stay Away From
- Honey
- Raw or undercooked food
- Fish that are high in mercury
- Sugar
- Food high in salt
- Food high in sodium
- Cow or goat’s milk
- Unpasteurized food
- Saturated fat
- Choking hazards!
9 Month Old Meal Plan
Are you looking for ideas to feed your little one? I created a 9 month old meal plan. Here are some low prep and easy meal ideas!
Helpful Reminders
- Always supervise your babe while they are eating
- BUY THE LIFEVAC!
- Introduce one new food at a time. Wait 3-5 days before introducing another. This way, if your child has a food allergy, you can easily identify which food to avoid.
- Remember to avoid what is listed on the food to stay away from section above
- Use the app Solid Starts! This will remind you about when to introduce what food AND how to serve it to your child depending on their age.
- Use bibs that hold up well AND are easy to clean
- Stock up on great feeding sets
- Learn your baby’s hungry and full cues
- Teach your baby signs so they can easily communicate when they want more, milk, or they’re all done.
- Have fun!
This post was all about 9 month old meal plan.
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