Meeko is 11 months now but, has always popped twice a day. Once when he wakes up and then around 8-9pm. I free feed him and he normally goes to his bowl after he poops each time. He eats about 3/4 - 1 cup a day. He is a teapot though.
So if your baby is smaller, he might not eat that much. Meeko is about 10 lbs. I feed him Wellness Core and he loves it! You can get it in Petco. It's a very good brand and he just gobbles it up. I've never had a problem with diaherria on it. I don't know about Dick VanPattens food but I think I give Meeko their treats. They're Nature's Balance rite? If so I give him the small bone shaped ones. They have blueberries and I think bison in them. He LOVES them!