Developing a feeding routine for a 7-8-month-old baby serves to promote important developmental growth milestones. When reaching seven to eight months old, babies prepare to move beyond milk or formula by trying various types of solid foods. Setting regular feeding times helps babies accept new textures and embrace new food flavors while still getting their required development nutrients. This guideline provides crucial feeding information for your baby combined with proper dietary selection to help you create a nutritious eating system that adapts to their nutritional needs throughout the development process.
How Often and How Much Should a 7 to 8 Month Old Eat
Seven to eight months old infants require breast milk or formula as their main source of nutrition through three to five meal times daily. Your baby's main nutritional source remains breast milk or formula although solid foods should enter their diet during this period. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect:
Breast Milk or Formula:
During this period, feed your child breast milk or formula up to four times daily in amounts reaching 24 to 32 ounces. Solid food items will supply the majority of nourishment for your child at this point in their development.
Solid Foods:
In their first feeding phases, babies require one or two solid meals daily consisting of pureed food portions, which should measure 2-3 tablespoons (e.g., mashed beans or meat together with eggs or different vegetables and grains). Introduce portions that are small at first, then expand them as your child learns to eat solid foods.
Finger Foods:
Soft parts of avocado and banana and steamed broccoli florets should become your baby's first finger foods. Self-feeding practice while developing motor skills becomes possible through these food choices.
Watch for Cues:
Observe your little one’s hunger and satiation signals at all times. You must recognize your baby's hunger and fullness behaviours because these indicators show the right amount of food and frequency to feed your baby.
Present your baby with new meal variations step-by-step to help them experience different flavors while they discover what they truly enjoy eating. Your balanced nutrition approach will stimulate your child's growth while ensuring they fulfil their nutrient requirements at this essential phase of development.
7 to 8 Month Old Baby Sample Feeding Schedule
Here’s a sample feeding schedule for a 7-8-month-old baby, keeping in mind that each baby’s needs and hunger cues may vary. This schedule provides a balance of breast milk or formula, along with solid meals to support growth and development.
|
Time |
Activity |
|
7:00 AM |
Breast Milk or Formula |
|
9:30 AM |
Solid Breakfast 2-3 tablespoons of pureed fruit (e.g., apples, pears) or oatmeal, along with a small amount of water (about 2-3 ounces). |
|
12:00 PM |
Breast Milk or Formula 6-8 ounces of breast milk or formula. |
|
2:00 PM |
Solid Lunch 2-3 tablespoons of pureed vegetables (e.g., carrots, sweet potatoes) or protein (e.g., mashed beans, chicken), along with a small amount of water. |
|
4:30 PM |
Breast Milk or Formula 6-8 ounces of breast milk or formula. |
|
6:30 PM |
Solid Dinner 2-3 tablespoons of a solid food like mashed avocado, banana slices, or steamed broccoli florets. You can also offer soft finger foods if your baby is ready for them. |
|
8:00 PM |
Breast Milk or Formula (Before Bed) 6-8 ounces of breast milk or formula. |
What Should a 7-8 Month Old Be Eating
Babies between 7-8 months old begin trying different solid foods yet continue getting most of their nourishment from breast milk or formula. Here's a breakdown of what a 7-8 month old should be eating:
- Breast Milk or Formula (Primary Nutrition Source)
Frequency: Your child needs breast milk or formula three to four times per day at this stage while getting a total amount of 24 to 32 ounces.
Purpose: Complex fats, together with protein and vitamins, exist in breast milk or formula to support both development and growth needs.
- Solid Foods
Babies in this phase can try eating many kinds of solid foods that range from smooth to various textured items. Here’s what you can offer:
Fruits (Pureed or Mashed)
- Apple, pear, banana, peach, or avocado.
- Serve pureed, mashed, or soft finger foods like banana slices or avocado chunks.
Vegetables (Pureed or Mashed)
- Sweet potato, carrots, peas, squash, pumpkin, or spinach.
- Start with smooth purees and gradually introduce chunkier textures as your baby gets comfortable with eating solids.
Grains
- Oatmeal, rice cereal, or whole grain cereals.
- You can mix them with breast milk, formula, or water to thin them out.
Proteins
- Mashed beans, lentils, peas, or small pieces of cooked meat (like chicken, turkey, or beef).
- Offer smooth purees or finely mashed, tender meats.
Finger Foods (When Ready)
- Soft, easily mashed foods like small pieces of cooked vegetables, ripe fruits (e.g., banana slices), and soft scrambled eggs.
- Small pieces of toast, soft cheese, or crackers can be introduced once your baby shows interest in self-feeding.
- Textures and Variety
Start with smooth purees, but as your baby becomes more comfortable with eating solids, begin introducing thicker purees or mashed foods, and eventually small pieces of soft, finger-friendly foods. Experiment with different flavors and textures to help your baby develop a variety of tastes.
- Water
Start offering small amounts of water (2-3 ounces per day) in a sippy cup during or after meals. It helps your baby stay hydrated as they begin eating solids.
How Much Milk Should a 7-8 Month Old Drink?
The recommended daily milk intake for a 7-8 month-old baby is 24 to 32 ounces distributed across 3 to 5 feedtimes, with each serving amounting to 6 to 8 ounces. At this stage of development, milk functions as the principal nutritional source even though solid food is being incrementally introduced since it contains essential fats, proteins, and vitamins which support growth and development.
Breastfed infants feed several times a day with an average of 3 to 4 nursing sessions, although individual feeding patterns might vary.
Infants on formula should consume 24 to 32 ounces of formula through three to four feedings while using 6 to 8 ounces per bottle amount based on specific requirements.
Your baby's growth relies on milk to provide essential nutrients even though they are exploring solid foods. Eventually, your baby will consume less milk, but it remains their dietary foundation for now. Every baby develops differently; thus, their feeding needs change every day. Therefore, you must remain flexible and look for signs of hunger to make adjustments.
Should You Introduce Solid Foods to Your 7 to 8 Month Old Baby?
Yes, introducing solid foods to your 7-8-month-old is not only appropriate but also an important milestone in their growth and development. The majority of babies become prepared for eating various textures and flavors, which leads to essential abilities for self-feeding during this time. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, infants should begin solid food consumption around six months; however, they should move to diverse nutrients from breast milk or formula during the 7 to 8-month timeframe.
- When to Start
Monitoring your baby's readiness for solids involves checking for two key signs: backbone support and targeted movement during mealtime. Delayed introduction of solid foods will affect their nutrient consumption and may cause them to lose weight.
- Developmental and Nutritional Benefits
The nutritional demands of infants exceed milk supply during the period between 7-8 months of age. Iron-rich pureed meats combined with beans and cereals provide necessary nutrients, including iron and zinc, for your baby's development. The period enhances the learning of both swallowing and chewing activities by the baby. When you start introducing solids you promote your baby's ability to refine their motor skills and hand-eye coordination because these skills will matter for future self-feeding abilities.
- What to Feed
Launch your baby’s food journey with food items such as baby cereal or pureed vegetables and fruits. When your baby becomes more comfortable with solid meals, you can progress to thicker foods while adding both ground and minced protein types. Try offering your baby tender finger foods such as mashed avocado or pureed bananas and steamed vegetables during this period to support self-feeding development.
- How Much to Feed
Start with two small solid meals each day while keeping the portion sizes small (about 2-3 tablespoons). You can start feeding more frequently because your baby learns to adapt to this meal pattern. During your baby's solid food training period, you must give breast milk or formula to make sure they consume their daily recommended calories and nutrients, which should be between 24-34 ounces each day.
Other Considerations
- Avoid honey until after 12 months due to the risk of botulism.
- It may take several tries before your baby adjusts to new textures and flavors, so be patient and persistent.
- Always offer breast milk or formula first to ensure they are meeting their nutritional needs.
Tools and Tips for Feeding Your 7 to 8 Month Old Baby
Feeding your 7 to 8-month-old baby is an exciting milestone as they start exploring solid foods while still relying on breast milk or formula. Here are some tools and tips to help make mealtime easier, healthier, and more enjoyable for both you and your baby:
Bottle Washer
Cleaning and disinfecting bottles alongside pump parts and baby tableware has become vital as your infant uses them. The Momcozy Kleanpal Bottle Washer performs an independent sterilization cycle for all your baby feeding and tableware items while saving you precious hours in your day. This automatic device operates safely by itself to sanitize every item with complete safety for your baby's health. It functions best for parents with hectic schedules.
Baby Food Maker
Making your baby food is a great way to ensure your little one is getting the freshest, most nutritious purees. The Momcozy Baby Food Maker utilizes six thickened stainless steel blades combined with a powerful 300W motor to quickly achieve perfect blending results. This device perfectly creates velvety and nutritious purees so your baby will really enjoy them. It lets you prepare all types of foods, including fruits, vegetables, and meats, with amazing speed.
Baby Food Storage Containers
After preparing homemade purees you need storage containers that provide food preservation. Choose stackable BPA-free containers designed for freezer storage and microwave use.
Silicone Bibs & Baby Feeding Spoons
High-quality silicone bibs, along with baby feeding spoons, will simplify feeding your baby. Using these silicone bibs for cleanup requires minimal effort, and both sets provide gentle benefits through feeding age progression.
High Chair with Adjustable Tray
A sturdy, adjustable high chair with an easy-to-clean tray can make feeding time much more convenient and comfortable for your little one.
Tips for Feeding Your 7 to 8-Month-Old:
Start with Single-Ingredient Purees:
At 7 to 8 months, your baby is ready to start experimenting with solid foods. Introduce simple, single-ingredient purees such as mashed sweet potatoes, applesauce, or avocado. Wait 3-5 days between new foods to watch for any signs of allergies.
Gradually Introduce Textures:
As your baby gets used to smooth purees, you can start introducing mashed or slightly chunky textures to help them develop chewing skills.
Breast Milk or Formula Still Matters:
Continue breastfeeding or formula feeding alongside solids until your baby is 9-12 months old. These provide essential nutrients that solid foods cannot yet fully replace.
Offer a Variety of Flavors:
Present a wide selection of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains so your baby will explore new tastes. When a child tries different textures and flavors at once, their chances increase for enjoying diverse food choices.
Create a Relaxed Feeding Environment:
Turn mealtimes into peaceful moments without pressure so your baby can enjoy nourishing their body while exploring new food types. Permit your baby to handle their food no matter how much of a mess they create during the process. Mealtimes function as an essential method for children to improve their motor skills while learning to enjoy new eating experiences.
Conclusion
At age 7 to 8 months your baby requires a feeding plan which combines breast milk or formula with nutritious solids. Tools like the Momcozy Kleanpal Bottle Washer and Momcozy Baby Food Maker make mealtime easier, saving you time. Provide new textures and flavour varieties combined with finger foods to help your baby develop through this stage. Follow flexible feeding practices while monitoring your child's hunger signals and make the most of this essential growth stage.
