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From one meal to the next, your tyke may go from gobbling everything in sight…to nibbling only a crumb or two. While these swings in a baby’s appetite are completely normal, parents still (understandably!) fret about whether or not their little one is eating enough.

If you’re also scratching your head about how much food to offer your baby, here’s some help. We’ve put together a portion-size feeding guide for babies, so you have a better idea about how much munchies to put on your tot’s plate. (And, of course, keep in mind that for the first year, breastmilk and/or formula makes up the bulk of your bub’s nutrition!)

A Visual Guide to Portion Size for Babies

As a parent as you’re throwing together a meal, you’re often also racing against the clock…to get littles to bed, to hit your kiddo’s naptime sweet spot, or to get everyone out the door for school and work. With that kind of pressure, who has time to whip out a measuring cup or ring of measuring spoons?!

While our recommendations for portion size do give measurements in cups, ounces, and tablespoons, you can eyeball it, too! Here are some visual portion size guidelines for your little one’s yummies. 

1 tablespoon is about the size of:

  • a poker chip, 
  • a 9-volt battery 
  • the tip of your thumb

2 tablespoons is about the size of: 

  • a golf ball
  • your whole thumb

1/2 ounce is about the size of: 

  • a game die 
  • ½ a tube of Chapstick  

1/4 cup (2 ounces) is about the size of: 

  • a whole egg 
  • a locker lock 

Portion Size for Babies 6 to 8 Months

With wide eyes and excited tastebuds, novice eaters are busy exploring new flavors and textures at this age. Your baby is ready to chow down when they open their mouth or move their head towards a spoon. Eager babies may even reach for the spoon, taking matters into their own plump little hands. And they’ll let you know when they’re finished too! Signs they’re done eating include turning away from the food and sealing their lips. Or babies may hold food in their mouths or spit out what they’re eating to signal the meal is over. Avoid giving babies round-shaped foods, raw vegetables, and fruit with a peel to avoid choking. (See more ways to prevent choking in babies.)

Grain Portion Size for Babies

Babies need two servings of grains a day. One baby-sized grains serving equals: 

  • 1 to 2 tablespoons of oatmeal, barley, or multigrain cereal
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons of pureed pasta, rice, or quinoa
  • 1/8 to 1/4 slice of bread

Dairy Portion Size for Babies

Aim for two servings of dairy a day. Just know that cow’s milk isn’t safe for babies until their first birthday. Breastmilk and iron-fortified formula are the best milk sources for all infants. One baby-sized dairy serving equals:

 

  • 1 to 2 tablespoons of full-fat yogurt or cottage cheese
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons of finely shredded cheese 

Vegetable Portion Size for Babies

Babies need at least two servings of veggies a day. One baby-sized vegetable serving equals:

  • 1 to 3 tablespoons mashed potatoes
  • 1 to 3 tablespoons bite-size pieces of cauliflower (cooked)
  • 1 to 3 tablespoons of pureed carrots
  • 1 to 3 tablespoons of bite-size pieces of parsnips (cooked)

Fruit Portion Size for Babies

Babies need at least two servings of fruit a day. One baby-sized fruit serving equals:

  • 1 to 3 tablespoons mashed avocados
  • 1 to 3 tablespoons bite-size pieces of peaches
  • 1 to 3 tablespoons of chopped kiwi
  • 1 to 3 tablespoons of apples, peeled and shredded

Protein Portion Size for Babies

Babies need at least two servings of protein a day. One baby-sized protein serving equals:

  • 1 to 2 tablespoons of ground meat, chicken, or turkey
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons of chopped fish
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons of shredded cheese
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons of mashed beans

Portion Size for Babies 9 to 12 Months

By now, babies are getting a better grasp on how to eat, and they're enjoying a greater variety of foods. You might notice your baby showing more interest in self-feeding, and they may try to take the spoon from you. While they typically show the same signs of hunger as when they were 6 to 8 months old, throwing food or saying or signing no signal they’re finished. Avoid offering your older baby round-shaped foods, raw vegetables, and fruit with a peel to avoid choking. 

Grain Portion Size for Babies

Babies 9 to 12 months need two servings of grains a day. One baby-sized grains serving equals:

  • 2 to 4 tablespoons oatmeal, barley, or multigrain cereal
  • 1/4 to 1/2 slice of bread
  • 1/4 cup cut pasta, rice, or quinoa (cooked)

Dairy Portion Size for Babies

At this age, babies should have two servings of dairy a day—but remember, no cow’s milk until after your little one’s first birthday! A serving of dairy is equal to:

  • 2 to 4 tablespoons of full-fat yogurt
  • 2 to 4 tablespoons of full-fat cottage cheese
  • 2 to 4 tablespoons of finely shredded cheese 

Vegetable Portion Size for Babies

Give your baby at least two servings of veggies a day. One serving of vegetables for a baby equals:

  • 2 to 4 tablespoons mashed potatoes
  • 2 to 4 tablespoons bite-size pieces of cauliflower (cooked)
  • 2 to 4 tablespoons of pureed carrots
  • 2 to 4 tablespoons of bite-size pieces of parsnips (cooked)

Fruit Portion Size for Babies

Babies need at least two servings of fruit a day. One serving of fruit for a baby equals:

  • 2 to 4 tablespoons mashed avocados
  • 2 to 4 tablespoons bite-size pieces of peaches
  • 2 to 4 tablespoons of chopped kiwi
  • 2 to 4 tablespoons of apples, peeled and shredded

Protein Portion Size for Babies

Aim for two servings of protein a day. A serving of protein is equal to:

  • 2 to 3 tablespoons of ground meat, chicken, or turkey
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons of chopped fish
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons of shredded cheese
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons of mashed beans 

More on Feeding Your Baby:

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REFERENCES

About Gabrielle McPherson

Gabrielle McPherson, MS, RDN, LDN is registered dietitian in Missouri who specializes in community and pediatric nutrition. Gaby is passionate about encouraging families to eat well in simple, practical ways that are realistic...and delicious! When not working, Gaby loves cooking, baking, and making messes and memories with her sous-chef/preschooler Charlotte.

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Disclaimer: The information on our site is NOT medical advice for any specific person or condition. It is only meant as general information. If you have any medical questions and concerns about your child or yourself, please contact your health provider.