Different points of view on this one I am sure, but with kittens I tend to feed them from their own bowl so I know how much they are eating and make sure they are getting enough etc, my lot are all above 12 months now so I tend to put a few big bowls down (I have 10 cats !) but that is only for wet food, we have dry food in one of those auto feeders that is available to them at all times along with fresh water.