Congratulations, Mom! Your baby is now 8 months old—a fun and exciting stage of growth. So, what are the right foods to include in their diet? You would need this comprehensive guide on baby food for 8-month-olds. This would cover an Indian diet chart, key milestones, and helpful feeding tips.
At this age, babies begin to develop chewing action and are ready for thicker, textured food. The daily diet must be provided with 700-900 calories; therefore, you need to organize meals, ensuring that they are both healthy and balanced. I shall help you create a diet chart specific to their needs, ensuring fun and healthy mealtimes!
While talking about putting together the diet chart for an 8-month-old Indian baby, it is important to note that your kid is ready to explore different varieties in his food menu and this is the right time to experiment with mashed food and purées. However, breast milk or formula continues to be the main source of nutrition for the baby. Feeding 8 month 8-month-old baby can be tricky, especially if he/she is a bit fussy, but you can introduce healthy foods and snacks for 8 8-month-old that they like slowly.
Growth Milestones of 8 Months Old Baby
- Your baby may already have a few teeth by now. But even if there are none, their jaws are strong enough to tackle small chunks.
- Babies get to a sitting position without assistance. They crawl, some crawl at the back a little bit, pull themselves up to stand on their knees, and try to kind of walk (also walk holding onto furniture).
- Your baby will tend to communicate vocally by making a lot of different sounds – laughter, blowing bubbles, and babbling in chains of consonants such as “da-da-da..” He might accidentally stumble on “mama” or “dada.” Repeat the word and react with excitement to communicate the significance of what he’s said.
- He will start responding to “no”. He may start using simple gestures. Teach him to wave “bye-bye” and clap when he is happy.
- Babies start practising PINCER movement on small objects.
- He may start finger-feeding himself as he can sit upright, has a PINCER grasp, and has proper hand-eye coordination.
- Some babies may have chosen their favorite toy by now and use it for dribbling and dragging it around everywhere.
- Separation anxiety is one common thing that can be seen in babies at this stage. They might get afraid or cry when someone picks them up.
- The baby may be thrilled to discover new things as he has good control over his hands and fingers, so he can drop the things down for you to pick up. Dropping and throwing things can be a game for them as they enjoy doing that a lot.
Note: If your baby doesn’t do any of the above-mentioned activities, please don’t panic. Have Patience Moms! Also, you need to be cautious as safety is a big issue at this stage. Try to be right behind them in case they start to wobble as your baby is now entering the land of bumps and falls. Keep the objects out of the reach of babies that might cause a choking hazard. Feed a balanced and healthy diet by following our 8 month baby food chart and ensure your baby eats nutritious and homemade food.
Now, let us know important tips on how to feed a baby which are discussed below.
Tips for Feeding Solid Foods to an 8-Month-Old Baby
Always give properly fresh-cooked, soft-textured and easy-to-digest foods as the baby’s digestive system is still developing. Don’t store the fruit and vegetable puree.
- Breast milk and formula milk should be continued along with 8 month old baby food
- Always remember to go by the “3-day wait rule” before introducing any new food to the baby food chart for 8 month old.
- If a baby develops any food allergy then stop feeding that food. Also, consult your paediatrician in such cases. (Diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, rashes and too-much crying due to stomach pain are the symptoms in babies of any particular food allergy.)
- You can also introduce finger foods (easy-to-eat pieces of food that your baby can pick up and eat by himself) like bread, pasta, cottage cheese cubes, tofu cubes, etc in your 8-month baby diet chart.
- Feed your baby when he is sitting in a proper sitting position. Make your babysitter on the high chair while feeding.
Find the best high chair for your little one by clicking on the link mentioned below
- Be patient, Mommies..! Don’t feed the baby forcefully. Also, never overstuff their mouth with food.
- Try the foods that he once rejected after a few days. He may start liking it and you will have more options for baby food ideas to put in your plan for Indian food for 8-month old baby.
- Sterilize the baby utensils that are used for cooking and feeding.
- Be careful while feeding your baby, as the introduction of some solid foods can cause constipation or diarrhoea. In your food chart with Indian recipes include foods that are easily digestible.
- Refrain your baby from watching TV, mobile phone, etc. while you are feeding anything. (If you will not follow this, then it becomes their habit and won’t eat anything when the TV is off)
- Water intake is a must for a baby. Intake of water must be 2 to 4 ounces per day (i.e. 60 to 120 ml). For tracking, you can feed water to him from a sipper which has markings. 2 to 4 ounces in a day doesn’t mean plain water alone. Foods like soups, dal paani, barley water, cucumber, etc. have water content. So, if you are feeding such foods to the baby then a few sips are enough in a day.
Before I write down Indian Diet Chart for an 8-month-old baby, let us first see the list of foods that you can include and those you should avoid in your baby’s Diet Chart. We will also share a food chart with Indian recipes.
Essential Food Items You Must Have for Feeding an 8-Month-Old Baby
The first foods should be soft such as porridge or well-mashed fruits and vegetables to make them very easy to swallow. You can include berries, whole grains, spinach, and other leafy greens in the 8-month baby diet chart. Being an iron-rich source, Lentils can be given to 8-month-olds. Mashed butternut squash is considered a classic food item to add to the feeding plan for an 8-month-old as its flavor is sweet and packed with Vitamin A. What other nutrient-rich foods should be included in an 8-month-old baby food list to support their growth and development?
How Much Food Should an 8-Month-Old Baby Eat at This Stage?
An 8-month old baby diet chart, mainly focuses on introducing them to new foods, gauging their likes and dislikes, what they can and cannot digest, and so forth. The food chart for 8-month-old baby will also ensure that they can taste foods, which they would generally consume and as well as not-so-often consumed foodstuffs. Generally, the 8-month diet plan for the baby should encompass twenty-four to thirty-two ounces of breast milk per day.
Ensure that the mealtimes serve a variety of different foods, that will be fruits and vegetables or different baby cereals that the baby begins to take. As these increase, the amount of breast milk consumed will also decrease. You may have started noticing a fascination with what you are eating at the table, but ensure they still get adequate breast milk—at least 16-20 ounces—before switching to cow’s milk. An 8-month-old baby’s chewing skills are developed enough to include finger foods like bananas. However, no matter how finely chopped, always ensure you never leave your baby alone during mealtime.
If you’re asking about what should be served at the right time, a 8-month baby food menu is there to direct you about fulfilling the nutritional requirement of your baby. It would be wise enough if you sought out a pediatrician in case you have questions or concerns.
8-Month-Old Baby Food List: Foods to Try
An eight-month-old baby diet chart is an exhaustive list of foods that need to be introduced, as indicated by the baby’s specific needs in nourishment. As growing babies are recommended to take diverse foods to attain ideal nutrition, some excellent baby food ideas which can help the first solid experience for your little one easy and healthy follow here:.
Apart from the food charts mentioned here at 6 months and 7 months, you can add as many different varieties of food at 8 months. Indian vegetables are part of every 8-month-old baby’s diet, and the nutrients they provide will help grow the baby. You can ensure proper nutrition to your child by incorporating these into his diet.
Here are some baby food recipes you can consider adding to an Indian Diet Chart for an 8-month-old baby food menu. There are also a few baby food recipes below that you might want to consider trying. You can refer to an 8-month baby food timetable to make sure the diet of your little one is nutritionally balanced so that the timeline and schedule of feeding remains intact with your baby.
Important points to remember before including above-mentioned items in your 8-month baby food chart for Indian baby:
- Cut the whole grapes into small pieces for the baby as it can cause choking. Remember this for other fruits also.
- Vegetables should be properly cooked before feeding. Chicken and fish should be cooked properly and should not be left raw from any side.
- Avoid processed meats like sausages, ham, and salami.
Feeding schedule for an 8-month-old baby
Timing | Activity |
6:30-7:00 am | – Breastfeed the baby |
7:00-7:30 am | – Finger foods and water which should be given in straw cups to make it easier to drink |
9 am | – *Naptime* |
11-11:30 am | – Breastfeed him once he wakes up |
12-12:30 pm | – Lunch-table foods, baby food with it (optional), water in a straw cup |
1:30-2:30 pm | – *Naptime* |
3:15 pm | – Breastfeed once he wakes up, and feed him some snacks like dry cereal or rice cake |
6:00 pm | – Dinner- baby food, table or finger foods and water |
7:30 pm | – Breastfeed before bed |
7:50 pm | – Sleep |
Times or schedules for activities are different, and this is but a rough guideline you may adopt. This is an 8-month-old baby food schedule-a guide for proper nourishment of the little one, at the appropriate times, of the day. Remember to make modifications according to their preferences and patterns of sleep.
Foods to Avoid in Indian Diet Chart for 8 Months Old Baby:
Some foods pose a choking hazard and a few aren’t good for your baby’s digestive system. Here is a list of some foods to be avoided in the Indian Diet Chart for 8 months old babies.
- Cow’s & Soy Milk
- Uncooked Vegetables
- Nuts
Know the complete list of foods that are unsafe for baby by clicking on the link mentioned below:
Foods unsafe for your baby (below the age of 1 year)
Now, we know what food is to be included and to be avoided, I will now pen down Indian Diet Chart for 8 months old baby for your reference.
Week Wise Indian Food Chart for 8 Month Old Baby
The following 8 months old baby food chart for Indian kids shows you what foods you can include for your baby as a part of their different meal times including snack time options:-
First Week Food Plan for 8-Month Baby
The baby food chart for 8-month-old should have the necessary variations to keep the child excited for his meal time. The diet chart for 8 month old baby should be appetizing and nutritious at the same time. In the first week, you can experiment with fruits and try incorporating them into different recipes. Follow our baby food ideas. You can find food recipes for 8-month-old baby and make them easily at home. Just follow our ideas for finger foods for 8 month old and feed accordingly.
Second-Week Food Plan for 8-Month Baby
The baby food chart for 8 month old for the second week can have more savoury dishes like Upma and Chilla. Having a variety of foods in the 8 monthly baby food chart will stimulate your kid’s taste buds and enable him to develop his own choice and preferences.
Third-Week Food Plan for 8-Month Baby
While figuring out the meal plan for your baby, you should always introduce new food products one at a time. In the third week, you can experiment with various egg-related dishes and infer your baby’s response to the same.
Fourth-Week Food Plan for 8-Month Baby
If your baby likes the egg recipes, you can introduce a new diet chart to them that involves eating fruits, savory items, and egg recipes in equal proportions. Don’t forget to ensure the consistency of the food so they don’t choke. These Indian baby food recipes for 8 months are homemade and will make your little one stronger and healthier.
You can note down all the Food/ Meal recipes referred to in the above four charts by clicking on the link mentioned below:
Indian Food Recipes for 8 months baby
Important Tip: In addition to the above-mentioned diet chart, you can give light foods (fruits/vegetables/ finger foods) in between as and when required by the baby (when the baby feels hungry). Also, do continue Breastfeeding/ Formula milk to the baby.
NOTE:- This Indian Diet Chart for 8 months old Baby is framed to just give you an idea about the food items that you can include. You can make changes in timings according to the baby’s taste and acceptability for that particular food item, also changes can be made on the baby food chart for 8 month old on the basis of the availability of the food item. Strict meal times are not mandatory. Feed him whenever he is hungry.
As your baby is 8 months now. Time to add some new things to the diet. A healthy diet comprises food rich in carbohydrates, protein, vitamins, and minerals. All these are essential for t growth after an 8-month baby. Food for an 8-month-old baby must include the following:
Fruits:
Apple, Banana, Pear, Mangoes, Peaches, Plums, Chikku, Papaya, Blueberries, Dates, Figs, Grapes, Kiwi, Muskmelon, and Pomegranate.
Vegetables:
Sweet Potato, White Potato, Beetroot, Bottle Gourd, Tomato, Peas, Carrot, Pumpkin, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Onions.
Cereals & Grains:
Rice, Broken Wheat known as Dalia, Oats, Sabudana, Semolina or Suji, Ragi, Wheat.
Pulses:
Yellow Moong Dal, Masoor Dal, Chickpeas, Urad Dal, Green Gram, Lobiya, Corns.
Dairy:
Ghee, Butter, Cheese, Curd, Paneer.
Non-Vegetarian: Egg yolk, tofu, white meat.
Spices:
You can add a pinch of Turmeric, Asafoetida, Cumin seeds powder, Cinnamon powder, Nutmeg powder, Pepper powder, Caroms seeds powder, Fenugreek, Mustard seeds, Cardamom Garlic, Ginger as per requirement.
How Many Meals for 8-Month-Old Baby?
Most often, eight-month-old babies get distracted during meals because of their curiosity and newfound activities. By this age, babies start crawling and may prefer to feed while on the move. A healthy diet for an eight-month-old baby should include three solid meals, two snacks, and at least two breastfeeding or formula sessions. Always consider your baby’s preferences when planning their meals.
Before bedtime, offer 6 to 8 ounces of formula, breast milk, or water, and remember to brush their teeth afterward. This is a crucial tip alongside the baby diet chart for 8 month. Looking for ideas? Explore the best 8-month baby food options that support healthy growth and foods for weight gain in babies, toddlers, and kids. Feel free to leave a comment if you have questions about the Indian Diet Chart for an 8-month-old baby or recipes tailored for them!
8-Month Baby Food Chart for Indian Parents
Time | – Foods |
Morning | – Breast milk or formula milk of about 200 ml. |
Breakfast | – 1 cup of pureed veg or any fruit or egg bread for breakfast. |
Mid-day Snack | – Any fruit or a half cup of yoghurt or boiled vegetables. |
Lunch | – Dal or 1 cup of cereal or oats. |
Naptime | – *Sleep for 1 or 2 hours* |
Evening Snack | – Breast milk or formula milk of about 200ml or sabudana kheer. |
Dinner | – 1 cup of porridge or pureed dal or cereal. |
Night | – Breastfeed before putting to bed |
Why It’s Important to Follow an 8-Month Baby Food Chart
8 month baby foods are an important nutritional need for a growing baby. Baby diet chart for 8-month-old baby should include enough nutritional value so that they can develop strongly both, physically and mentally. You need to take care of your 8-month-old baby’s food so that he gets full-grown nutrients and a healthy weight. There are a lot of healthy baby food recipes that can be included in the diet chart for an 8-month baby and that you can make at home with the right ingredients. You don’t need to buy baby food premade. 8 month old baby food menu will differ from food for a 6 or 5 months baby. Similarly, the diet chart of an 8-month-old Indian baby will differ from that of a baby born and raised in another part of the world.
The first few years of life are a time when your baby’s dietary needs are very different to those of an adult. The baby food chart for 8 month old will differ from those recommended for a 1-year-old and it’s important to feed your baby the right foods to support their rapid growth and development. Your diet for 8 months baby will need: – a varied diet of proteins, carbohydrates and fats – healthful fats such as olive oil and avocado – soft, digestible proteins such as breast milk, cereals, pureed meat and fish – carbohydrates such as rice milk, cereals and fruit – a good dose of healthy vitamins and minerals – 1 or 2 servings of dairy per day for calcium.
Effective Tips to Boost the Appetite of an 8-Month-Old Baby
You can follow the below tips for increasing the appetite for 8 months old baby.
- Diverse Food Items
You can provide different age-appropriate foods to 8-month-old babies to explore different flavours and textures. And, you can gradually move from purees to mashed and soft chunks as your baby gets more accustomed to eating solid foods.
- Regular Feeding Schedule
Regular feeding of 8 month baby weight gain food is essential to cause overall development of the baby.
- Continue Breastfeeding
You can continue breastfeeding along with eating solid foods to 8 months old babies. At this point, your baby’s primary source of nutrition is still breast milk or formula.
Conclusion
A healthy diet is important for the good health of an adult human being. Similarly, a diet rich in nutrients and devoid of harmful elements is equally important for the health of babies. An 8-month-old baby is on the verge of starting solid food. In other words, the baby is ready to eat solid food instead of being fed only breast milk or formula. We all want what’s best for our babies, and the topic of what to feed our babies is no different. When we have a new baby, we are often bombarded with advice and opinions on the best diet to feed our little ones. One of the most common questions related to feeding babies is: 8 month baby ko kya khilaye?
Babies are born with a set of genes they inherit from their parents, but the environment in which they grow can have a big impact on their development. Diet is one of the most important factors that can have a long-term impact on a baby’s health, growth, and development. A baby’s diet chart or diet plan is a guideline that parents should follow to provide a good, balanced diet for their baby. The diet chart of 8-month-old Indian baby recommends the right amount of food to give an 8-month-old baby.
The 8-month-old is in a developmental stage where the baby is ready to eat solid foods. The 8-month-old is also a time when the baby is developing physically, intellectually, and socially. The 8-month-old is also a time when the parents are ready to introduce new foods and recipes into their diet. This stage is when parents learn about what their baby needs and what is best for their baby.
FAQs on Indian Food for an 8-Month-Old Baby
1. How many solids should an 8-month-old eat?
You can begin by introducing two to three spoons of mashed fruit and increase that to half a cup of food that can be given three to four times to your baby. It is advisable to have a pronounced time for breakfast, lunch and dinner while charting an 8-month-old baby food menu. You can also have small finger foods as snack options in between meals. Breast milk or formula milk is a must.
2. What finger foods can I feed my 8-month-old?
You can include small and easy-to-eat finger foods in your baby food chart for 8-month-old. You can opt for small pieces of cheese, bananas, steamed vegetables, and small pieces of pasta or bread as ideal choices of finger foods for your child. These are not only healthy, but also tasty finger foods for 8-month-old baby and will develop a habit of eating healthy foods.
3. Can we give curd to an 8-month-old baby?
Curd is an easy source of protein and it is safe to add it to an 8-month-old baby food recipes. After introducing it to your kid, you should always check if it suits your child or not. If it does, this is probably one of the healthiest sources of calcium, protein and Vitamin D for your child. Furthermore, it is easy to consume and super easy to make.
4. Why is it necessary to follow a diet chart for an 8-month-old baby?
8 months baby diet chart is necessary because it helps the baby to intake regular and diverse food items with essential nutrients for their growth and development.
5. How to increase 8-month-old baby’s weight?
To help an 8-month-old baby gain weight,requires more nutriment and a variety of wholesome foods. Emphasize on smaller and frequent meals on the diet chart for a baby of 8 months to ensure your baby does not feel under extreme calorie consumption.
Whole grains such as rice, oats, or wheat can be included. These give energy and are easy to digest. Rich foods containing iron are lentils, spinach, or mashed beans that promote healthy growth.
6. What should an 8-month-old be eating daily?
An 8-month-old baby’s daily diet should include with fruits and vegetables, grains, pulses, dairy, proteins and should be little bit of all the food item presented in the diet on a daily basis. Fruits including bananas, apples or even papaya. Vegetables including carrots, pumpkins, and broccoli. Add some grains: rice or oat and add pulses: moong dal and masoor dal. Provide some dairy to fulfill the requirements of calcium, and paneer to provide proteins. For variety, you can use Indian food to make 8-month-old baby meals like dal-rice, ragi porridge, or soft idlis to keep meal times exciting and nutritious.
7. How many milk feeds at 8 months?
At least 16-20 ounces of breastmilk per day either through breastfeeding or formula feeding have to be in place for the 8 months old baby because this will assist it in getting other nutrients such as calcium and the healthy fats to go with as it gets introduced to solid food. Milk must continue to constitute part of his diet, coupled with meals and snacks
8. Which fruit is best for an 8 month old baby?
Amongst fruits, ripe banana, ripe apple, papaya, and pear are wonderful choices for a 8-month-old baby, as they digest easily and rich in nutrients. Fruits will always be the favorites in this list of foods for an 8-month-old baby. This fruit can be mashed, pureed, or small soft bits and encouraged to chew. Introduce one fruit at a time.
9. How much puree should a 8-month-old eat a day?
An 8-month-old baby would take in 4 to 6 ounces of puree at each meal, 2 to 3 times a day. Snacks or finger foods can also be introduced to supplement the diet and alongside regular milk feeds. Observe the cues of your baby in hunger and fullness to avoid overfeeding.
10. Can an 8-month-old eat eggs?
Yes, an 8-month-old baby can consume eggs, but cook the egg yolk first for easier digestion, and less chance of becoming allergic to this food. In small amounts introduce it and wait for some adverse reactions to an allergy. From there, it is okay to introduce the white part after proper consultation with the pediatrician. At eight months, eggs become a very good supplement for the baby’s food plan because they provide so much essential protein and healthy fats.
11. What is the meal schedule for an 8-month-old?
Morning: Breast milk or formula (200 ml).
Breakfast: Pureed veggies, fruit, or egg bread.
Mid-day Snack: Fruit, yogurt, or boiled veggies.
Lunch: Dal, cereal, or oats.
Evening Snack: Breast milk or formula (200 ml) or sabudana kheer.
Dinner: Porridge, pureed dal, or cereal.
Night: Breastfeed before bed.
This is a common 8-month-old baby food schedule. It helps your baby have balanced nutrition for the day.
12. How much water for an 8 month old?
An 8-month-old baby will take about 2 to 4 ounces of water daily, in addition to the liquid consumed in her breast milk or formula. Usually, as they are introduced to more solid foods, small amounts of water consumed during meals help maintain their hydration. Always use a straw cup or sippy cup to encourage drinking.
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My baby is now 7 month old.. I m trying to giving him rice wheat tomato monsoonal combination of celeriac available in market. It is very important for our baby health.So i advice him all parents giving this food.Thanks for your great block.