Key takeaways: Many babies eat 1 to 2 snacks a day by 9 to 12 months, but young babies starting solids don’t usually need snacks. Healthy snacks are mini-meals: soft fruits, vegetables, whole grains, dairy, and proteins. Skip packaged snacks high in salt or sugar, and rice-based puffs as a main snack. Seat your baby for every snack.
As your baby eats more solids, snacks can help fill nutrition gaps between meals.
When Snacks Make Sense
- 6 to 8 months: most babies get enough from milk feeds and 1 to 2 meals. Snacks usually aren’t needed.
- 9 to 12 months: many babies eat 3 meals and 1 to 2 snacks.
Snacks as Mini-Meals
Think of snacks as a chance to offer nutritious foods:
- Soft fruits: banana, ripe pear, peach, mango, berries (squished or cut).
- Vegetables: soft-cooked carrot, sweet potato, peas (smashed), avocado.
- Dairy: plain whole-milk yogurt, cottage cheese, shredded cheese.
- Proteins: egg, beans, shredded chicken, tofu.
- Grains: whole-grain toast strips, oatmeal, small pieces of pasta.
From the author
From First Breath to First Birthday is my month-by-month guide to your baby’s first year, written as a NICU and postpartum nurse. My book follows feeding all the way through the first year, including when and how to start solids, month by month.
Snacks to Skip
- Packaged snacks high in salt or added sugar.
- Juice and sweetened drinks.
- Cookies, crackers, and chips with added sugar or salt.
- Rice-based puffs and snacks as a regular staple (arsenic concerns). Choose a variety of grains.
Puffs and Melts
Dissolvable puffs can help babies practice the pincer grasp, but they aren’t very nutritious. Use occasionally.
Snack Safety
- Seat your baby in a high chair.
- Supervise.
- Avoid choking hazards.
- No snacking while crawling or in the car.
Avoid Grazing
Constant snacking can reduce appetite for meals. Set snack times.
The Bottom Line
Snacks are mini-meals for older babies. Offer nutritious foods, skip packaged snacks, and seat your baby every time.
Want more support for your baby’s first year? My book, From First Breath to First Birthday, is available on Amazon.
Related Articles
- Finger Foods by Age
- How Much Should My Baby Eat at 6, 9, and 12 Months?
- Foods to Avoid in the First Year (Honey, Juice, and More)
- Family Meals With a Baby
Sources
- U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Dietary Guidelines for Americans: infants and toddlers. https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov
- American Academy of Pediatrics. Healthy snacks for babies and toddlers. HealthyChildren.org. https://www.healthychildren.org
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Arsenic in food and dietary supplements; Closer to Zero. https://www.fda.gov
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice. Always talk with your baby’s health care provider or your own provider about your specific situation. If you think your baby or you may have a medical emergency, call 911.
