A 9-month-old typically needs about 24 ounces of breast milk or formula per day. That works out to roughly 6 to 7 ounces per feeding, spread across 4 to 6 feedings throughout the day. This number isn’t fixed, though. As your baby eats more solid foods, their milk intake will naturally start to taper.
The 24-Ounce Daily Target
Between 8 and 12 months old, babies need somewhere between 750 and 900 total calories each day. About 400 to 500 of those calories should still come from breast milk or formula, which translates to roughly 24 ounces. Milk remains the primary source of nutrition at this age, but solids are steadily becoming a bigger part of the picture.
Most 9-month-olds drink 6 to 7 ounces per bottle or nursing session, every 3 to 4 hours during the day. Some babies will take 4 feedings, others closer to 6. Both ends of that range are normal. What matters more than hitting an exact number is that your baby is growing well and showing signs of being satisfied after feedings.
How Milk and Solids Work Together
At 9 months, your baby is in a transitional phase. Breast milk or formula is still the nutritional backbone, but solid foods are gradually filling in the gaps. The CDC recommends offering something to eat or drink about every 2 to 3 hours, which comes out to roughly 3 meals and 2 to 3 snacks per day. Some of those will be milk feedings, others will be solids, and some will be a combination.
As your baby gets more enthusiastic about table foods, you’ll likely notice them drinking slightly less milk at certain feedings. This is completely expected. A baby who was taking 28 ounces at 6 months might naturally drift toward 22 or 24 ounces by 9 months as purées, soft finger foods, and mashed meals take up more of their appetite. The shift is gradual, and there’s no need to force a specific number of ounces at each sitting.
Signs Your Baby Is Getting Enough
Rather than obsessing over exact ounces, watch your baby’s cues. A 9-month-old who is full will push the bottle away, turn their head, close their mouth, or use hand motions and sounds to signal they’re done. Let your baby decide how much they want. They don’t need to finish every bottle or empty every container of food.
On the hydration side, look for at least 6 wet diapers per day. If you haven’t changed a wet diaper in 6 to 8 hours, that’s a sign your baby may not be getting enough fluids. Fewer than 3 wet diapers in a 24-hour period is a reason to call your pediatrician.
Upper Limits to Keep in Mind
There’s no single “maximum” published for 9-month-olds, but context helps here. Babies who consistently drink well over 32 ounces of formula per day may be getting too much milk and not enough solid food. When a baby fills up on milk, they have less appetite for the iron-rich foods, proteins, and textures they need at this stage. If your baby seems to want milk constantly but refuses solids, it’s worth adjusting the schedule so solid meals come when your baby is hungriest, often in the morning or after a nap, with milk feedings spaced around them.
Why Cow’s Milk Isn’t an Option Yet
At 9 months, all milk intake should be breast milk or formula. Cow’s milk isn’t recommended as a primary drink until 12 months. The reasons are practical: babies can’t digest cow’s milk as easily, and it doesn’t contain enough iron, vitamin C, or the right types of fat for a growing infant. The high protein and mineral content can also stress immature kidneys, especially during illness or hot weather. In some babies, cow’s milk protein irritates the intestinal lining and can cause small amounts of blood loss, leading to iron-deficiency anemia over time.
Water at 9 Months
Your baby can have small amounts of water alongside meals. The CDC recommends 4 to 8 ounces of water per day for babies between 6 and 12 months old. This is in addition to breast milk or formula, not a replacement. A few sips from an open cup or straw cup during mealtimes is enough. Water at this age is more about practicing drinking skills and supplementing hydration than meeting a major nutritional need.