Breastfeeding
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A baby’s diet evolves quickly between 7 months and 1 year. Food diversification is well established, meals gradually become more structured, but milk remains a central part of their nutritional intake. How much milk should you offer? How many bottles should you give? Should you give your baby water?
How much milk should my baby drink between 7 months and 1 year? Let’s take a closer look.
How much milk should a baby aged 7 months to 1 year drink during food diversification ?
At 7 months, food diversification is already well underway for your baby, and breastfeeding or follow-on formula is no longer their only source of nutrition. If your baby is not breastfed, babies aged 7 to 12 months generally drink 3 to 4 bottles per day.
How much milk should you put in a bottle for a baby aged 7 months to 1 year?
A bottle generally contains 210 ml of water and 7 scoops of follow-on formula. Over time, the lunchtime and afternoon bottles will gradually decrease, as they will be replaced by solid foods, but you should always try to offer at least 500 ml per day.
If you are not breastfeeding and therefore not practicing exclusive breastfeeding, it is recommended to choose a baby formula suited to your baby’s age, either follow-on formula starting with food diversification or toddler milk from 10 months.
Important: standard cow’s milk, just like milk from other mammals (goat, sheep, etc.), is too high in protein and too low in iron. As a result, its nutritional composition does not adequately meet the needs of a baby aged 7 months to 1 year, as it does not meet the recommended minimum and maximum thresholds for certain nutrients.
Plant-based drinks are often marketed under the term “milk” (such as “almond milk”), even though they are not milk in the strict sense. Even when fortified with calcium, they also do not meet the nutritional needs of infants under one year of age.
In addition, soy “milk” and all soy-based products are not recommended before the age of 3 due to the presence of a compound suspected of having endocrine-disrupting effects.
How can I tell if my baby is drinking enough milk?
If your baby continues to grow with healthy weight gain and well-filled diapers (at least 6 to 7 very wet diapers per day), this indicates that they are receiving enough milk.
Want to learn more? Feel free to download the May app, where you’ll find plenty of resources to support and guide you throughout your journey as a new parent.
Should I give water to my baby in addition to breastfeeding?
Before food diversification, breastfed babies do not need water. Breast milk contains enough water to keep them hydrated. If you feel your baby is thirsty or if the weather is very hot, you can increase the number of feedings to meet their hydration needs. Outside periods of extreme heat or fever, babies who are bottle-fed also do not need to drink water before a certain age.
It is from around 4 months that you can introduce water during food diversification. Water then becomes another food to discover, helping compensate for a more solid diet. However, milk should still be prioritized at every meal!
Good to know: it is best to avoid juices that are too sugary so your child can gradually get used to the taste of water.
From 7 months onward, your baby has a mixed diet that includes both foods and breast milk or follow-on formula. Nutrition is a key element, so do not hesitate to seek advice from your healthcare professional if you have any doubts about which foods to prioritize for your baby.
What milk should I give my baby after 1 year?
Between 1 and 3 years old, it is recommended to prioritize toddler milk or follow-on milk, particularly because they are rich in iron and essential fatty acids. However, it is perfectly possible to occasionally offer a bottle of cow’s milk.
Regarding the choice of milk, if you do not opt for toddler milk or follow-on milk, whole milk is preferable. Important: in cases of allergy to cow’s milk protein, medical advice is essential in order to choose a suitable formula.
In summary, between 7 months and 1 year, milk remains a key pillar of your baby’s diet, even though food diversification is already well advanced. Whether your baby is breastfed or fed infant formula, the goal is to maintain an intake of about 500 ml of milk per day at minimum, while gradually making more room for solid foods.
Every child develops at their own pace. If you have any doubts about quantities, the type of milk, or hydration, do not hesitate to discuss it with your healthcare professional so recommendations can be tailored to your baby.
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Photo credits: Nadtochii | ADDICTIVE_STOCK | YuriArcursPeopleimages
This text was translated from French by an artificial intelligence. The information, advice, and sources it contains comply with French standards and may therefore not apply to your situation. Make sure to complement this reading by visiting the May US/UK app and consulting the healthcare professionals who are supporting you.
