Background and aims In infancy, a too rapid weight gain is a risk factor associated with overweight. Growth is linked to the infant's ability to adjust energy intake depending on the energy density of foods. Evidence regarding the behavioral aspects of appetite control ability in infancy is sparse. The objective was to study the short-term energy adjustment ability of, first, exclusively milk fed infants before the onset of complementary feeding (CF) and, second, of infants at 11 mo and 15 mo. Methods Caloric compensation ability was assessed in infants by adapting a preload paradigm. Before CF, the ‘preload' was a feed with formula made more or less caloric by concentration/dilution; the subsequent formula feed was registered. For older infants, the preload was a carrot puree made more energetic with vegetable oil offered 25 min before a recorded meal. Ad libitum food intakes after the consumption of the preload were measured. Results A score of caloric compensation ability was calculated for 27 infants at 4.5 mo and for 31 infants at 11 and 15 mo. Before CF, infants adjusted partially their energy intake for the energy of their previous feed. After CF, infants also adjusted partially their energy intake for the energy of the highly energetic puree. This ability decreased from 11 to 15 mo; this decrease was positively correlated with an increase in weight status from 11 to 15 mo and with a higher weight status at 2 years. Conclusions Better understanding the etiology of appetite control ability in the ‘first 1000 days' is warranted.