Feeding Routine for 5-Month-Old: Establishing a Healthy Schedule

Reviewed by: Lizzie O’Connor, Registered Dietitian

 

Life with a 5-month-old is full of change and new adventures. Your little one is becoming more curious about the world around them, showing new skills every week, and maybe even eyeing the food on your plate with interest. In fact, during this age, baby feeding routines start to take shape in a more structured way.

At 5 months, breast milk, combo feeding or formula is still the main source of nutrition. However, some babies begin to show readiness for solid foods, which introduces a whole new layer to your feeding journey. — whether that means purées, soft mashed textures, or even early exploration of baby-led weaning (BLW) if developmentally appropriate.

Establishing a feeding routine for 5-month-olds can help create rhythm in your day, support healthy growth, and make meals more predictable for you and your bub. In this guide, we’ll walk you through what to expect from your baby’s feeding schedule, provide a sample feeding routine for 5-month-olds, and share tips for safely starting foods. 

In this guide, we’ll walk through what to expect at 5 months, sample feeding routines, and how to safely begin introducing solids — in a way that fits your baby’s pace.

What to Expect from a 5-Month-Old’s Feeding Needs

At 5 months, breast milk or infant formula remains your baby’s primary source of nutrition, providing the calories, protein, fat, and micronutrients needed to support rapid growth and brain development. Most babies at this age will1: 

  • Feed every 3-4 hours, or about 5-6 times in 24 hours
  • Take in around 5-7 ounces of formula per bottle feeding, or nurse for about 20-30 minutes per breastfeeding session
  • Show increasing interest in mealtimes and family food, though milk remains a priority

While the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends introducing solid foods around 6 months, some babies may be ready a little earlier.2 Readiness cues include being able to sit with support, showing good head and neck control, and opening their mouth when offered a spoon. Establishing a feeding routine for 6 month old babies helps set the foundation for later transitions, eventually leading to a more varied feeding routine for 10 months old that balances milk feeds with solids.

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Sample Feeding Routine for 5-Month-Olds

Every baby is unique, and your family’s schedule may look a little different, but here’s an example of what a feeding routine for a 5-month-old baby could look like:

  • Morning feed – Around 7:00 AM, start the day with a nourishing milk feed (breast or bottle). 
  • Mid-morning feed – A few hours later, around 10:00 AM, offer the baby another feed to keep their energy and mood stable. 
  • Afternoon feed – Around 1:00 PM, it may be a good time to offer tiny tastes of starting foods (if your pediatrician has given the go-ahead),.Try 1–2 teaspoons of purée (like sweet potato or pear), or offer a soft BLW food such as steamed carrot sticks or avocado slices. Still, you’ll want to keep breast milk or formula as the main meal.
  • Evening feed – Three hours later, around 4:00 PM, it’s time for an evening milk feed. This helps your baby stay happy and fueled for late-afternoon playtime.
  • Night feed – As nighttime approaches, around 7:30 PM, many 5-month-olds still want another nursing or bottle feeding session before bedtime.
  • Overnight feed – Some babies sleep longer stretches at this age, but it’s still very normal to wake for one or two feeds during the night.

Remember, this is just a guide. Your baby’s feeding schedule may differ depending on growth spurts, naps, or sleep changes. 

Tip: At this age, solids are for fun and learning, not nutrition. Keep milk or formula as the main meal, with solids offered once per day for exposure.

Introducing Solids at 5 Months: Purées or Baby-Led Weaning

Introducing solid foods is an exciting milestone — and there’s no single “right” way to do it. Whether you start with purées or take a baby-led weaning (BLW) approach, what matters most is safety, supervision, and following your baby’s cues.

At 5 months, solids are for practice, not nutrition. Breast milk, combination feeding, or formula should still be your baby’s main source of calories. If your pediatrician agrees your baby is ready, start slowly and focus on creating a positive, stress-free experience.

Start Small and Simple

Begin with 1–2 teaspoons of food once per day.For purées, try:

  • Mashed lentils or beans
  • Mashed avocado or banana
  • Smooth purees like sweet potato, pear, apple, or peas

If your baby is developmentally ready for early BLW, you can offer soft, graspable finger foods such as:

  • Steamed or roasted sweet potato sticks
  • Ripe avocado slices
  • Soft banana spears

Everything should be soft enough to mash between your fingers and served in long, easy-to-hold shapes.

Avoid honey, added salt, and choking hazards.

Babies under one year old should never be given honey because it can contain Clostridium botulinum spores that cause infant botulism. Skip adding salt or salty seasonings, since a baby’s kidneys are still developing and can’t process extra sodium. Also stay away from round, firm, or sticky foods that can block a baby’s airway—like whole grapes, cherry tomatoes, hot-dog slices, popcorn, raw carrots, nuts, or spoonfuls of nut butter. When offering solids, make sure all foods are soft enough to mash easily between your fingers and are cut into thin strips or small, mashable pieces your baby can grasp and safely gum.

Go Slow and Watch Closely

Not all babies are ready at this age, and that’s okay. Whether spoon-feeding or self-feeding, keep a close eye on your baby for signs of readiness and safety.

Make It Enjoyable

Mealtime should be fun and exploratory. Seat your baby upright in a highchair, use a soft spoon for purées, and let them touch, taste, and play with food. For BLW, always supervise closely and learn the difference between gagging (normal reflex) and choking (medical emergency) before starting.

Recognizing Your Baby’s Hunger and Fullness Cues

One of the best ways to build a healthy feeding schedule is to tune into your baby’s signals. At 5 months, babies are becoming more expressive, and you’ll notice clear cues around when they’re hungry and when they’ve had enough.

Signs of hunger may include3:

  • Rooting or turning their head toward your chest or bottle
  • Sucking on hands or fingers
  • Fussiness or crying that calms when offered breast milk or formula
  • Excited movements when they see the bottle feeding or breastfeeding about to begin

Signs of fullness may include3:

  • Slowing down sucking or turning away from the bottle or breast
  • Spitting out milk or solids foods
  • Closing their mouth when offered more
  • Relaxed body language, such as opening their hands or turning their head

By respecting these cues, you’ll avoid overfeeding, keep mealtimes pleasant, and encourage a healthy relationship with food for your month-old baby’s health. 

Creating a Feeding Routine for Your 5-Month-Old

Establishing a feeding routine for 5 month-old babies is all about finding balance. At this age, breast milk or formula should remain the foundation of their diet, with solid foods or starting foods introduced slowly and thoughtfully if they’re ready. A predictable feeding schedule can also make each day smoother by aligning with baby sleep, nap, and play time.

Keep in mind that every month old babies develop at their own pace. Some will show interest in food early, while others may need more time before they’re ready to eat. What matters most is responding to your infant’s cues, supporting healthy baby feeding, and making sure your little one gets enough ounces of breastfeeding, nursing, or bottle feeding before experimenting with small meals of solids. Following signs of when your child is hungry or full will help avoid overfeeding and encourage positive associations with baby eating.

At Bubs, we believe in nourishing little ones with the purest nutrition possible, so parents can focus on what matters most: enjoying these milestones together. With patience, flexibility, and a little support, you’ll help your 5-month-old baby grow and wake happy, and embrace every new step of their feeding journey. Many families also find reassurance in choosing clean baby formula, which provides safe, high-quality nutrition during this important stage.

 

Lizzie O’Connor, Registered Dietitian

Lizzie O’Connor, MS, RD, LDN, is a Registered Dietitian and founder of Mama Dietitian, a family-focused nutrition practice. With a Master’s in Nutrition and Dietetics from Central Michigan University and over ten years of experience in neonatal and pediatric nutrition, she has supported thousands of families through all stages of feeding. Inspired by her own parenting journey, Lizzie is passionate about infant feeding, maternal wellness, and helping parents feel confident and supported with evidence-based, judgment-free nutrition guidance.

 

Sources: 

  1. UC Davis Health. The First 12 Months: What & When to Feed Your Baby. https://health.ucdavis.edu/media-resources/children/documents/general/First%2012%20Months_rev.pdf 
  2. American Academy of Pediatrics. Infant Food and Feeding. https://www.aap.org/en/patient-care/healthy-active-living-for-families/infant-food-and-feeding/?srsltid=AfmBOooRUVXxX0B6NNTJXkGsGss6_K6AOMT3O-NmZ2OQI04QvEWbzdxC 
  3. Center for Disease Control. Signs Your Child is Hungry or Full. https://www.cdc.gov/infant-toddler-nutrition/mealtime/signs-your-child-is-hungry-or-full.html