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Explore nutrition tips, kids’ meal plans, kids’ activities, recipes and more from pediatric nutritionist, Melissa Halas, MA, RDN, CDE.

Sample Day of Meals for a 9-Month-Old Child

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Sample Day of Meals for a 9-Month-Old Child

Use this sample day of meals for a 9 month old as a guide to feeding your baby! The table with nutrient needs for this age can also help you plan future meals in the months to come.

Even though your little one has likely started showing teeth and from time to time even tries a bite out of his favorite humans, your baby is still in need of some breast milk or infant formula. In fact, according to WHO about half of the calories should still come from breast milk and/or infant formula.

Introducing Foods to Your Baby

Having said that at the age of 9 months, your baby has likely already taken a bite out of life and has been exploring the food scene for around 3 months. Now they are eager for more complex and adventurous flavors and textures, so don’t be afraid to introduce new foods, spices and feel free to let your child self-feed finger foods and get messy. But before we get to some practical advice on meal plans and ideas let’s talk numbers.

(If you can’t care less about numbers or if you are tired enough and just want to get to the point I got you. Just scroll straight down to see the sample meal plan that is sure to make your days with your little one a tiny bit easier.)

Daily Nutrient Needs for Infants and Toddlers

According to the New Dietary Guidelines 2020-2025, in order to meet requirements of iron, zinc, potassium and choline within the energy intake range of 124 kcal/day to 484 kcal/day here is the proposed amounts of each food group consumed daily.

Food GroupDaily AmountsNotes
Fruits⅛ to ½ cupChoose High Potassium at least once a day
Fruits: kiwi, papaya, nectarines / peaches, banana, apricot, melon
Vegetables⅛ to ½ cupChoose High Potassium at least once a day
Vegetables: beets, cauliflower, eggplant, carrots, broccoli, asparagus, mushrooms
Grains½ to 1 oz½ fortified infant cereal and at least ¼ whole grains
Protein foods (meats, poultry, seafood, eggs, nuts, and seeds)2 to 3 ozMajority from meats rather than poultry  
Dairy½ cupPasteurized, cheese or yogurt
Added oils and fats0 to 7 ¾ gPlant oils: extra virgin olive oil, avocado oil (best for cooking)
Added sugars0 
Vitamin D400 IURecommended for Breastfed babies

I can already see you scratching your forehead and wondering, “Do I really need another computational task in my life right now?”. To make it easy for you, for your family and for anyone who is taking care of your little one here is a Sample Meal Plan that matches the above guidelines.

Sample Meals for a 9 Month Old

MorningBreast Milk + Vitamin D 400 IU OR Infant Formula
Snack4 Tbsp fortified infant cereal with 2 Tbsp mashed ripe banana and a pinch of cinnamon
BreakfastOmelet: 1 oz whole egg with 1 sautéed sliced mushroom and 1 Tbsp sautéed finely diced broccoli 
MidmorningBreast Milk OR Infant Formula
Lunch1 oz roasted beef with 2 Tbsp steamed sweet potato and cauliflower mash with a dash of garlic powder
Snack¼ cup full fat Greek yogurt with 5 mashed raspberries and 1 Tbsp mashed avocado Breast Milk OR Infant Formula
Dinner½ oz homemade hummus (chickpeas + tahini + cumin + lemon juice + garlic) with ½ oz roasted chicken thigh small pieces
Before bedBreast Milk OR Infant Formula

Give sips of water from an open cup throughout the day and after meals. Pumped breast milk or formula can also be served in a sippy cup if your child has mastered not spilling or drinking.

Worried Baby Isn’t Eating Enough?

Your baby is pushing the spoon away after just a few bites? Or perhaps, after a full serving of hummus, they are still begging for more? Do not fret! Babies are Intuitive Eaters which means that at this age they still know exactly how much food they need even better than adults do. Let them explore their hunger and fullness cues and follow their lead with these helpful tips. You will be impressed by your little bundle of joy.

Introducing Foods to Your Baby

Introduce new baby foods one by one. If there are more than one food items in this list that your baby hasn’t tried yet, omit them from the recipe and include them one by one to monitor allergic reactions. If there is only one ingredient in this meal plan that your little one hasn’t tried yet and your baby is not considered high risk for severe food allergies by your pediatrician, then you can go ahead and try this meal plan.

Meal Plans for Babies, Toddlers, Kids, and Teens

Do you have other kids that are older than 9 months? Check out some of our other popular meal plans!

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About the Author

Picture of Viktoria Sekamov, MS

Viktoria Sekamov, MS

Viktoria is a mother of one and a dietetic intern at Teachers College Columbia University. She is the true definition of a tea enthusiast and has a passion for supporting children and women all over the world.

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