5 month old baby feeding schedule: How much should a 5 month old eat?
Updated Oct 28, 2024
At , you’ve likely figured out a feeding schedule and style that works for you and your baby. This confidence is one of the many wonderful things about feeding your baby at this age. Your baby may even be getting ready to start solids soon! Keep reading for all that you need to know about feeding your 5 month old.
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5 month old baby sample feeding schedule
Your baby’s schedule should be based on their individual needs as well as the needs of your family. The following schedule is an example and is meant to be used as a guide only.
| 7:00 AM | Nurse or bottle (wake up) |
| 10:30/11:00 AM | Nurse or bottle |
| 2:15/2:30 PM | Nurse or bottle |
| 5:15/5:30 PM | Nurse or bottle |
| 7:00/7:30 PM | Nurse or bottle (before bed) |
How much to feed a 5 month: Food chart
At 5 months, most babies will need to eat every 3 - 4 hours totaling about 4 - 6 daily feedings []. On average, they should consume roughly 22 - 28 oz of formula or breast milk each day. While there is no “perfect” amount your baby should be eating, you can tell if they are getting enough if they are growing adequately and having 4 - 6 wet diapers a day.
Around this time, you might start thinking about serving solid foods to your baby. While previous recommendations have said to start your baby on cereal at 4 months old, the American Academy of Pediatrics now recommends [] exclusively serving breast milk or formula until 6 months of age. However, you may start seeing signs of readiness including your baby being able to sit unassisted, bringing objects to their mouth, improved head and neck control, and becoming interested in solid food.
| Wake-up | Breast milk or formula |
| Mid-morning | Breast milk or formula |
| Mid-day | Breast milk or formula |
| Mid-afternoon | Breast milk or formula |
| Before bed | Breast milk or formula |
4 tips for feeding your 5 month old baby
Tip #1: Follow baby’s hunger and fullness cues
Feeding on demand, or watching your baby for hunger cues, is appropriate at this age. Signs of hunger include moving their fist to their mouth, sucking on their hands, or moving their head to find a bottle. Note that eating patterns may briefly change if your little one is uncomfortable due to a cold, , etc.
Tip #2: Ensure safe bottle feeding
Even though your baby is bigger and stronger now, it’s still important to follow safe bottle-feeding practices. Hold your baby close when bottle feeding, never prop or leave the bottle in your baby’s mouth, and don’t put them to bed with a bottle.
Tip #3: Get baby ready for solid foods
Before you know it, your baby will be ready for ! Start introducing them to this idea by bringing them to the table during mealtime or letting them watch you prepare food in the kitchen.
Tip #4: Begin watching for signs of readiness for solid food
While it’s best for most babies to wait until 6 months to , you may begin to see some signs of readiness. Your baby may start to bring toys and other objects to their mouth, become interested in what you are eating, be able to sit unassisted, and improve their head and neck control.
Night feedings at 5 month olds
By now, your baby is likely sleeping or starting to sleep in longer stretches at night — and it probably feels great! However, it is still common for babies at this age to need to eat 1 — 2 times during the night at this age. If they wake up hungry, go ahead and feed as you normally would.
Takeaway
Feeding your 5 month old comes with the benefit of confidence in both you and your baby’s feeding abilities. It is a special time to enjoy them being little and looking forward to enjoying the next chapter of feeding - starting solids! Keep following your instincts and keep doing what works best for your family.
If you're curious about what lies ahead, get a glimpse of what your baby's may look like. And look back at how far you've come by taking a look at a .
5 month old feeding schedule FAQ
Q: Can a 5 month old drink water?
A:
No, a 5 month old should not drink water. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends [3] introducing water to babies from the age of 6 months. It should not displace formula or breast milk.
Q: How often should a 5 month old eat?
A:
Most babies at 5 months eat roughly every 3 - 4 hours with a total of 4 - 6 feedings a day. Sometimes, breastfed babies eat more often during the day than formula-fed babies. Many babies also wake up at night to eat at this age.
Q: How long between feeds can a 5 month old go?
A:
A 5 month old can typically go 3 - 4 hours between feeds. They may go a little longer if they are sleeping. It’s always best to follow your baby’s hunger cues to know when they need to eat.
Q: Can you drop night feeds at 5 months?
A:
If your baby is eating enough calories during the day and is growing adequately, you may be able to drop 1 or 2-night feeds. However, many babies still need to wake up 1 - 2 times a night at this age to eat.
Q: Why is my 5 month old eating less than usual?
A:
There are many reasons your 5 month old is eating less than usual. They may simply just be less hungry or maybe they’ve just gone through a growth spurt and need less energy. They may also be experiencing teething or feeling unwell.
Q: What is a 5 month nursing strike?
A:
A nursing strike usually occurs when a baby abruptly refuses to nurse. There are a lot of different reasons a baby might do so. They may be teething or sick or they may have developed a preference for bottle feeding. Most nursing strikes resolve themselves in a few days.
Q: Is 30 oz too much for a 5 month old?
A:
Most babies consume around 22 - 28 oz a day at 5 months old. However, some babies need less and some need more. 30 oz a day is OK if you are feeding according to your baby’s hunger cues.
Q: Is 4 feeds a day enough for a 5 month old?
A:
At 5 months old, most babies eat 4 - 6 times a day, so yes, 4 feeds may be enough. The best way to ensure your baby is eating enough throughout the day is to follow their hunger and fullness cues.
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Note: The content on this site is for informational purposes only and should not replace medical advice from your doctor, pediatrician, or medical professional. If you have questions or concerns, you should contact a medical professional.
