A 10-month-old needs roughly 24 ounces (720 mL) of breast milk or formula per day. That volume provides about 400 to 500 of the 750 to 900 calories your baby needs daily, with the rest coming from solid foods. At this age, milk is still the nutritional backbone, but solids are playing an increasingly important role.
Daily Volume and Feeding Schedule
For formula-fed babies, the target is typically 6 to 7 ounces per bottle, offered every 4 to 6 hours. That works out to about 3 to 4 bottles a day. A general rule of thumb: your baby needs about 2.5 ounces of formula per pound of body weight per day, with a ceiling of 32 ounces in 24 hours.
Breastfed babies at 10 months typically nurse about 4 times in 24 hours, on demand. Because you can’t measure what a breastfed baby takes in, the best way to confirm they’re getting enough is to track their output and growth. At least 6 wet diapers per day, with no more than 8 hours between them, is a reliable sign of good hydration. Steady weight gain of 1 to 2 pounds per month is another reassuring indicator.
How Milk and Solids Work Together
At 10 months, roughly half your baby’s calories should still come from breast milk or formula. The other half comes from solid foods like soft fruits, vegetables, grains, and protein sources. This balance matters because milk alone no longer provides enough iron, zinc, and other nutrients your baby needs for growth.
If your baby fills up on too much milk, they’ll have less appetite for solids. This is more than just a missed meal problem. Over time, excessive milk intake can crowd out iron-rich foods and contribute to iron deficiency. A good approach is to offer solids at regular mealtimes and then follow up with milk, rather than the other way around. This helps your baby build an appetite for food while still getting plenty of milk throughout the day.
Why Cow’s Milk Should Wait Until 12 Months
Even though your baby is close to their first birthday, cow’s milk isn’t appropriate yet. Before 12 months, whole cow’s milk poses several risks: it can cause intestinal bleeding, it contains more protein and minerals than a baby’s kidneys can handle efficiently, and it doesn’t provide the right balance of nutrients your baby needs. Stick with breast milk or infant formula until your child turns one, then you can introduce whole cow’s milk. Once you do make the switch, keep it under 24 ounces (3 cups) per day to protect against iron deficiency.
Water and Other Drinks
Between 6 and 12 months, babies can have 4 to 8 ounces of plain water per day. Small sips with meals are fine and can help your baby get used to drinking from an open cup. Juice, flavored milks, and plant-based milks are not recommended as substitutes for breast milk or formula at this age.
Vitamin D for Breastfed Babies
Babies under 12 months need 400 IU of vitamin D daily. If your baby is exclusively or partially breastfed, they need a vitamin D supplement because breast milk doesn’t contain enough on its own. Formula-fed babies who drink at least 32 ounces of formula per day get sufficient vitamin D from the formula itself. Since most 10-month-olds are drinking closer to 24 ounces, even formula-fed babies eating solids may fall short, so check with your pediatrician about whether a supplement makes sense.
Signs Your Baby Is Getting the Right Amount
The clearest signals that milk intake is on track are consistent weight gain and plenty of wet diapers. Beyond those basics, look at your baby’s energy and mood. A well-fed 10-month-old is active, curious, and interested in food at mealtimes. If your baby seems unusually fussy, refuses solids entirely, or isn’t producing at least 6 wet diapers a day, their milk intake may need adjusting in one direction or the other.
Every baby is a little different. Some 10-month-olds are enthusiastic eaters who naturally drink less milk, while others still prefer the bottle or breast and are slower to warm up to solids. The 24-ounce guideline is a midpoint, not a rigid rule. What matters most is that your baby is growing steadily and getting a variety of nutrients from both milk and food.