Congratulations Mom, now your baby is 8 months old! 8 months age is a fun and interactive stage. Well, worried about his food/diet? If this is so, this post on baby food charts for 8-month-old is a must-read for you. In this, Indian Diet Chart for 8 months old baby, his growth milestones and tips on how to feed him are discussed.
While talking about putting together a food chart for an 8-month 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.
Some of the 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.
- May start finger-feeding himself as he is able to sit upright and has a PINCER grasp and proper hand-eye coordination.
- Some babies may have chosen their favourite 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..! And 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.
Now, let us know important tips on how to feed a baby which are discussed below.
Important Tips on How to Feed Solid Foods to 8 months old Baby & Baby Food Ideas
- 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.
- 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 his 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
- Sterilize the baby utensils that are used for cooking and feeding.
- Be careful while feeding your baby as an introduction of some solid foods can cause constipation or Diarrhea too. 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.
How Much Food Should a Baby Eat at This Stage?
An 8-month baby diet chart is mostly introducing them to new foods and gauging their likes, and dislikes as well as what they can and cannot digest. The baby food chart for 8 month old will also help them to grasp a taste of foods they will be eating on a daily basis and other occasional food items. The diet plan for an 8-month-old baby should have around twenty-four to thirty-two ounces of breastmilk daily. Make sure the mealtimes have more variety of foods as well such as different fruits and vegetables or baby cereals as the requirement of breast milk will decrease with an increase in solids. You may have started noticing in your baby that they are more fascinated by table foods but make sure they have enough breast milk as well i.e at least 16-20 ounces till the time they can switch to cow’s milk. The chewing skills of a baby are developed enough to include finger foods like bananas etc. No matter how finely you have chopped the finger foods, never leave your baby alone during mealtime. So, take help from the 8-month baby food chart to see your toddler’s nutritional needs and also remember to consult a paediatrician if you have any queries.
Foods to Include in Indian Diet Chart for 8 Months Old Baby:
An 8th-month baby food chart shows you a list of foods that you should incorporate for your baby to consume based on their specific needs for nourishment. Growing babies should be given as many diverse foods as they can eat. These baby food ideas will help you in making your baby’s solid food journey easy and wholesome.
At 8 months, you can introduce the below foods in addition to 6 months food chart and 7 months food chart. Vegetables for 8-month-old Indian babies form an important part of their diet and should be incorporated so they get the required amount of nourishment they need at this stage. You can find the ones you should ensure your toddler eats below. So, here are some baby food ideas to be included in the Indian Diet Chart for 8 months old baby (for which you can check the recipes as well).
Important points to remember for feeding above mentioned foods:
- 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 |
The time or schedule for different activities can vary, this is a tentative schedule which can be followed
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.
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.
Indian Diet Chart for 8 months old Baby:
The following 8 months 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 should be appetising 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.
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 the new food product, which was an egg in this case, resonates with your kid, you can go for a more amalgamated diet chart that incorporates fruits, savoury items, and egg recipes in a balanced proportion. It is advisable to be mindful of the food consistency to avoid any choking hazards for your baby.
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 Much To Feed An 8 Month Baby
Most often eight-month-old babies get distracted away from food due to their newfound activities. By this age, babies start crawling and always need to feed on the go. An eight-month-old baby must have three solid meals and two snacks along with at least two sessions of breastfeeding or formula feeding as their healthy diet. Consider their liking also.
You can check out the best foods for weight gain in babies, toddlers or kids as well.
Do leave a comment if you have any queries related to Indian Diet Chart for 8 months old Baby.
Follow this Food Chart for an 8-Month Baby for his Healthy Body.
| 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 You Should Take Care Of an 8-Month Baby Food Chart?
Food for an 8-month-old baby is an important nutritional need for a growing baby. Baby food chart for 8-month-old 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. Food for 8 months baby will differ from food for a 6 or 5 months baby. Similarly, food for an 8-month-old baby Indian 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.
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: what should I feed my 8-month-old baby?
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 baby food chart for 8 month old recommends the right amount of food to give an 8-month-old.
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 8 Months Old Baby Food Chart
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.
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 chart. 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.
Happy Parenting!
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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.