Do babies/infants need snacks twice a day?

[Jellycat50000]

My baby is 11 months old and so far he doesn't have snacks - just breastmilk when needed.

Do babies/infants NEED to have snacks during the day? I was talking to my mum about it the other day and she said I didnt have snacks as standard as often they took they edge of appetite for meals but occasionally if needed we had them e.g. after swimming or as a treat round a friends/family members etc.

Hi, we're moving this thread over to our Weaning topic for the OP. Hopefully some Mumsnetters will be along soon with some advice.

Well no one needs snacks as such, but I've always found it part of the weaning experience. It's a way to introduce new tastes and textures in between meals, so when they don't actively need the nutrition, a way to "practice" new foods.
Snacks don't have to be a treat e.g biscuits etc, they can be fruit and veg sticks, bread sticks, little bits of cheese etc.

I suppose I think of breastfeeding in between meals as replacing the snacks my non-bf friends give their babies (they’re all between 9 and 10 months with my 9 month old being the youngest). Honestly I feel giving DD three meals a day takes enough planning and doing! Me and her dad also don’t really snack, so I want to get her into the same sort of routine as we’re in.

Does he not have any solid foods at all?

Mine never ever had snacks, just 3 meals a day (once the weaning process got to that point) and initially some milk in between.

I never saw the need for snacks and it meant that mine was a great eater - whereas I watched my friends struggling to get their DC to eat anything significant at mealtimes - after providing a steady stream of biscuits/rice cakes/raisins throughout the day, then complain their DC weren't great eaters

However, I guess different strokes for different folks and all that - do whatever works for you

@jessstan2 yes sorry I just meant breastmilk not snacks - he eats 3 big meals a day.
I've been surprised with how well he's taken to food so dont feel like I need to practise new food etc with him. Usually has a Bf before both naps and I suspect this is more for comfort than hunger.

Snacks are another opportunity to try another food. Why wouldn't you?

Sorry I meant dont feel like I need to practise new food with him I'm the form of snacks.

I didn't start offering snacks until a bit after 1 and even then it's just 2 snacks a day. I once met a very strange health visitor who was mortified at my decision and insisted that "by 8 months ALL babies must have 3 meals and 2 snacks a day!!".

Just do what's best for your child, which may well be totally different to what I did for mine

I guess lots of women introduce snacks as they want to be less tied to breastfeeding or are getting ready to get back to work. If this isn't relevant to you just do what you want.