How much should an 11–12-month-old eat?

How much an 11- or 12-month-old drinks

Compared with 9–10 months: about the same or a little less milk, and the switch to cow's milk is weeks away. The ranges are wide on purpose: a baby who eats well drinks less milk. US guidance (AAP) keeps milk generous through the first year; the NHS expects about 600 ml (20 oz) a day at 7–9 months and about 400 ml (14 oz) at 10–12 months for formula-fed babies. Night feeds are a typical picture, not a target: babies vary a lot.

What's different at this age

At 12 months: whole milk in a cup. The CDC says you can switch from formula to plain whole cow's milk (or a fortified unsweetened alternative) at 12 months, gradually, starting by replacing one formula feed. The AAP suggests limiting milk to about 16 ounces (2 cups) a day; much more can crowd out iron-rich food. Before 12 months, cow's milk isn't a main drink (AAP, NHS).

Toddler formula isn't needed. The AAP says "toddler milks" offer no nutritional advantage over a balanced diet with breast milk or cow's milk for most children, and its 2023 clinical report reached the same conclusion (Fuchs 2023).

Breastfeeding can go on. The AAP and WHO support breastfeeding for as long as you both wish, to 2 years or beyond.

After the birthday: honey is fine from 1 year (NHS), and the bottle should be on its way out, finished by 12–18 months (AAP).

Night feeds

Most babies this age don't need milk at night. If a night bottle has become part of falling asleep, moving it earlier in the bedtime routine and then into a cup is gentler than stopping at once. Milk in bed overnight isn't good for new teeth.

Breastfed babies: what to watch instead of ounces

Breastfed babies keep nursing on cue alongside meals, and there's no need to count. Breast milk remains a main source of nutrition through the first year, and the AAP and WHO support breastfeeding to 2 years or beyond for as long as you both wish.

Is my baby getting enough?

• Plenty of wet diapers and energy to play.
• Growth along their own curve: check with our growth percentile calculator.
• Interest in food and milk, and a baby who stops when full (CDC).

Hungry or full? Paced bottle feeding

Hungry: hands to mouth, turning toward the breast or bottle, puckering, smacking or licking lips, clenched hands (CDC). Crying is a late sign. Full: closes their mouth, turns away from the breast or bottle, relaxes their hands (CDC).

Paced bottle feeding lets your baby set the speed: hold them fairly upright, keep the bottle closer to horizontal so milk flows only while they suck, and pause every few minutes (Kassing 2002). The NHS puts it simply: be guided by your baby, give them plenty of time and don't force them to finish. Leftover milk means it worked.

Hungry: reaches for or points to food, opens their mouth for the spoon, gets excited at the sight of food. Full: pushes food away, closes their mouth, turns their head (CDC). Let them stop; there's no need to finish the bottle or the bowl.

When to call the doctor

• Signs of dehydration: fewer wet diapers, a sunken soft spot, few or no tears, drowsiness (NHS).
• Refuses milk and food, vomits a lot, or seems in pain.
• Stops gaining weight or drops across curves on the growth chart.
• Breathing fast, pale or blotchy skin, or very hard to wake: emergency (NHS).

Trust your instinct: if your baby seems unwell, call, whatever the numbers say.

Questions

Feeding by age

All ages: the baby feeding chart · the full feeding calculator · how to prepare formula safely · water and tea

Same age: weight percentiles · wake windows and naps