What to Eat at 6 to 8 Months old baby ?

Use this guide to find out what and how much to feed your child in the first year. The amounts are general recommendations only, so don't worry if your little one eats a bit more or less than suggested. It's always a good idea to discuss your plan for starting solids with your child’s doctor before getting started.

Also, you don't have to introduce foods to your child in any special order. If you want to give your baby a taste of tofu at age 6 months, go ahead, even though it's not listed on our chart until age 8 months. And while cereal is a traditional first food in the United States, it's fine to start with mashed fruits or vegetables instead.

In most cases, you don't even have to wait to introduce highly allergenic foods like eggs, fish, and peanuts. (Read more about food allergies and ask your doctor to be sure.

AGE & STAGE – 6 months to 8 months old The AAP recommends that an infant not be started on solid foods until after 6 months of age. Many pediatricians still start babies on solids around 4 months of age. This chart accommodates all ages and stages up to 12 months.

CEREALS

Try mixing together the grains that your baby has had without any reaction(s) – Brown Rice and Oatmeal with Pear Sauce for example.

FRUITS

Begin making your own fruit combinations once baby has had several fruits without any reaction(s). After 8 months old – you may wish to try offering raw ripe fruits. Soft cooked fruits make for great beginner Baby Finger Foods; Learn about Introducing Baby Finger Foods.

VEGGIES

Veggie combinations are great to offer now. Ensure that all veggies have been previously offered without any reaction(s) prior to mixing & matching. After 8 months old – you may wish to try offering soft cooked veggies in dices or tiny chunks and bits. Soft cooked veggies make for great beginner Baby Finger Foods.

PROTEIN

Once your baby has reached 8 months old, try offering tofu finger cubes dusted with Cheerio “dust” or other cereal “dust”. Many pediatricians are now recommending Meats as first foods due to the Iron content – ask your pediatrician.

DAIRY

Around 8 months old, you should be able to offer plain whole milk yogurt and mild cheeses to your baby. Many pediatricians even suggest yogurt as a great first food as early as 6 months of age. Mix some yogurt with a favorite fruit puree for a breakfast offering. Visit our Offering Your Baby Yogurt page for more information on introducing Yogurt and Cheese.

Baby Led Weaning

Baby Led Weaning means offering your baby (age appropriate) foods that soft-cooked and cut into small easily manageable pieces. These foods are then given to your baby to eat. You do the cooking, the dicing and the offering of the foods and your baby does the rest. As with breastfeeding on demand, Baby Led Weaning is a method of introducing solid foods that leaves it up to your baby to decide when and how much to eat. While not necessarily a “hands off” approach, The foods listed on our 4-6 month old chart and those listed on the chart here make great foods for introducing solids using the baby led weaning method!

How much will my 6 month to 8 month old baby eat at his first meal?

If your 6-8 month old baby is just starting solid foods, you will probably only manage to have baby eat 1/2 of the tablespoon sized portion the very first times you begin solids. If you are using a Baby Led Weaning approach, your baby may only manage to get a few pieces of food into his or her mouth. Don’t fret if your baby does not “finish” a meal.  Remember this is a new experience for your baby.

As your baby becomes accustomed to eating solids, you will gradually increase the portion sizes. Remember, breast milk and/or infant formula are providing for the total nutrition of your baby at this stage.

Sample Schedule for Introducing Baby’s First Foods

I have also compiled a sample schedule that you may find useful. This table gives you an idea of how and when to begin introducing baby to solid foods. Please keep in mind that this table was created from various medical authorities such as private pediatricians, the AAP, the AAFP and the WHO as well as our own experience. This table should be used as a guide only. Always consult your baby’s pediatrician about solid foods