Leena Watts
An 8-month-old baby's diet should consist of 24 to 32 ounces of breast milk or formula per day, along with iron-fortified infant cereals and pureed or mashed foods. Babies at this age are typically eating one to three meals a day and are starting to add more snacks. They are also likely to show interest in table foods and may be ready to start feeding themselves using the pincer grasp. It is important to offer a variety of tastes and textures from all food groups, gradually increasing the frequency of meals and the variety of foods offered.
What should an 8-month-old's diet consist of?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Food consistency | Soft and easy to swallow |
| Food texture | Pureed or mashed |
| Food variety | All food groups |
| Food types | Fruits, vegetables, legumes, grains, animal foods (dairy, eggs, meat, fish, and poultry), seeds, oils, and fats |
| Food preparation | Cut into small pieces, fork-mashed, blended, or ground |
| Food safety | Avoid choking hazards, honey, and regular cow's milk |
| Feeding method | Spoon-feeding or finger foods |
| Feeding schedule | Regular schedule, 2-3 times a day, with healthy snacks in between |
| Breastfeeding/formula | Continue alongside solid foods, 3-5 feedings per day |
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What You'll Learn
Iron-fortified infant cereals
Homemade iron-fortified cereals can be made with oats, egg yolk, chia seeds, and almond or pumpkin butter. This combination provides a good source of iron while also exposing babies to different flavors and textures, which can help them develop a more diverse and accepting palate. It is important to note that calcium inhibits iron absorption, so parents should be mindful of the timing of milk and dairy consumption in relation to iron-rich foods.
As your baby starts to explore table foods, it is essential to ensure their safety by preparing foods that are soft, mashed easily, or naturally soft, such as well-cooked vegetables, fruits, and pasta. Always supervise your baby during mealtimes, and be mindful of foods that may pose a choking hazard, such as raw vegetables, grapes, nuts, and hot dogs.
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Pureed foods
At 8 months old, babies are likely to be pros at handling pureed foods and iron-fortified infant cereals, along with breast milk or formula. You can start with simple, single-ingredient purees to help identify any food allergies or sensitivities. Some foods that can be pureed include bananas, avocados, sweet potatoes, peas, blueberries, and raspberries. You can also try combinations of pureed foods, such as banana and avocado, or potatoes, carrots, peas, and fish.
It is important to gradually introduce new foods, starting with a very small amount to allow your baby to get used to the new flavour and texture. You can also try fork-mashing, blending, or grinding the foods your family eats, as babies this age are likely to show more interest in table foods.
To prevent choking, cook table foods until they are very soft and cut or shred them into small pieces. Avoid foods that may cause choking, such as raw vegetables, grapes, nuts, and hot dogs. It is also important to note that babies under 12 months old should not have honey, as it can cause botulism, or regular cow's milk, but pasteurized yoghurt and cheese are okay.
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Breast milk or formula
An 8-month-old baby's diet should still include breast milk or formula. Breast milk is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) as the main source of nutrition for babies in their first 6 months. After 6 months, solid foods should be introduced, but breast milk continues to be vital for providing energy and nutrients.
If you are giving cereal, it can be mixed with breast milk or formula to make it easier for the baby to eat. Cereal can also be mixed with pasteurised whole (full-fat) cow's milk, goat's milk, or sheep's milk if your baby is over 6 months old. Cow's milk should not be given as a drink until the baby is 12 months old, but it can be used in cooking or mixed with food from 6 months.
Breastfeeding can continue beyond 1 year if desired. If you decide to stop breastfeeding before your baby's first birthday, you can switch to iron-fortified formula.
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Soft, mashed foods
By 8 months old, most babies are pros at handling soft, mashed foods and are ready to start exploring table foods. You can fork-mash, cut up, blend, or grind whatever soft foods the rest of the family eats, as long as they are safe for the baby.
Some examples of soft, mashed foods that are suitable for 8-month-olds include:
- Well-cooked and mashed vegetables, such as carrots, sweet potatoes, and peas.
- Soft, mashed fruits, such as bananas, avocados, and cooked apples.
- Pureed or mashed legumes, such as black beans, chickpeas, and lentils.
- Soft, cooked grains, such as rice, oats, and barley.
- Soft, mashed meats, such as chicken, turkey, and fish.
When preparing soft, mashed foods for your 8-month-old, it's important to avoid adding any salt or sugar. You should also be mindful of potential choking hazards and make sure that the food is mashed or pureed to a very soft, smooth consistency. Always supervise your baby when they are eating and create a safe feeding environment.
As your baby approaches 9 months old, you can start to introduce more texture and gradually decrease the mashing or blending. By this age, your baby may also be able to start picking up soft finger foods and feeding themselves.
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Finger foods
By eight months old, babies are pros at handling iron-fortified infant cereals and pureed foods, along with breast milk or formula. They are also likely to show interest in table foods and will start to explore self-feeding with finger foods.
At this stage, babies are ready to eat the same food as the rest of the family. You can fork-mash, cut up, blend, or grind whatever foods the family eats, as long as they are soft, easy to swallow, and cut into small pieces to prevent choking. Babies can also start to feed themselves with their fingers.
Some examples of finger foods for eight-month-olds include:
- Well-cooked vegetables cut into small pieces
- Canned fruits and vegetables without added sugar or salt
- Soft foods like cottage cheese, shredded cheese, and small pieces of tofu
- Ripe banana and well-cooked pasta, which can be gummed
- Small pieces of bread
- Crackers
- Arrowroot cookies
- Dry infant cereal
- Pureed or mashed legumes (black beans, chickpeas, edamame, fava beans, black-eyed peas, lentils, kidney beans)
- Small amounts of meat, fish, eggs, and pulses
It is important to introduce new foods one at a time and to watch for any signs of allergic reactions. Babies under one year old should not consume honey, as it can cause botulism, or regular cow's milk, as it should be reserved for after their first birthday.
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Frequently asked questions
An 8-month-old's diet should consist of breast milk or formula, as well as solid foods with a variety of tastes and textures from all food groups.
At 8 months old, babies can eat iron-fortified infant cereals, pureed foods, and finger foods such as soft, cooked fruits cut into cubes. You can also introduce foods with more texture, such as muffins and bread. Babies can also eat protein-rich foods, including legumes, beans, beef, egg yolks, chicken, fish, tofu, turkey, and pork.
Honey should be avoided until after a baby's first birthday as it can cause botulism. Regular cow's milk should also be avoided as a drink until a baby is 12 months old, although it can be used in cooking or mixed with food from 6 months old. Foods that may cause choking, such as hot dogs, raw vegetables, grapes, hard cheese, popcorn, and nuts, should also be avoided.
It is important to introduce new foods one at a time and to keep a food log to look for any allergic reactions. It is also recommended to avoid adding salt and sugar to your baby's diet, as they can have negative health effects.
