When it comes to feeding your 8-month-old baby, you might be wondering what the best options are. After all, you want to ensure that your little one gets all the nutrients they need to grow and develop properly.
One option is to use a food chart. This can help you see what foods are appropriate for your baby and how much they should eat.
Of course, every baby is different, and you should always consult your paediatrician before making any major changes to your child's diet. However, an 8-month baby food chart can be a helpful tool in ensuring that your baby is getting the right balance of nutrients.
What Are Finger Foods?
Finger foods are small pieces your baby can pick up and eat independently. They should be soft enough to be squashed between their fingers but not so soft that they turn to mush when chewed.
Finger foods are an important part of your baby's development, as they help them to learn how to use their hands and fingers to feed themselves. They also allow your baby to explore different textures and flavours and start to develop their preferences.
There are no hard and fast rules about when to start introducing finger foods, but most babies will be ready sometime between 6 and 8 months old. If you need help determining whether your baby is ready, ask your health visitor or GP for advice.
Some good finger foods for babies include:
Soft-cooked vegetables such as carrots, sweet potato or squash
Cooked fruit such as apples or pear
Soft-cooked meat or fish
Cheese cubes or sticks
Breadsticks
Rice cakes or crackers
Pasta shapes
How To Introduce Finger Foods To Your Baby?
Knowing what to give them can be a minefield when you start weaning your baby onto solid food. Should you go for purées or finger foods? What's the difference, and how do you know when your baby is ready for each?
When introducing finger foods to your baby, there are a few things to bear in mind.
Firstly, make sure the foods you offer are soft enough for them to gum easily – there's no need for teeth!
You should also cut the food into small pieces around the size of your baby's fingernail.
Finally, always supervise your baby when eating if they start choking on any food.
Points To Remember
When it comes to feeding your 8-month-old baby, there are key points to remember.
Always consult your child's paediatrician before making any changes to their diet.
Keep in mind that every baby will have different feeding needs.
Some babies may be ready to start eating solid foods at this age, while others may not.
Here are a few general tips to keep in mind when feeding your 8-month-old:
Offer a variety of foods: Your baby is starting to show interest in what you're eating at this age. Offer them a variety of healthy foods and let them choose what they want to eat.
Encourage self-feeding: Babies love to explore and learn best through trial and error. Encourage your baby to feed themselves by giving them finger foods or letting them use a spoon or cup.
Be patient: Feeding can be messy, so be prepared for some spills. Don't worry if your baby doesn't eat everything on their plate – relax and enjoy the experience.
HOW CAN A BABY'S DIET BE FORMULATED FOR AN 8-MONTH-OLD?
Regarding solid foods, 8-month-old babies can pretty much eat anything their parents are eating – with a few exceptions.
Of course, parents should always check with their baby's paediatrician before starting them on solids and introduce new foods one at a time in case of allergies. But in general, 8-month-olds can eat various fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, fish, grains, and dairy.
Here are some specific ideas for what 8-month-olds can eat:
Fruits: Pureed or mashed bananas, avocado, applesauce, peaches, pears
Vegetables: Pureed or mashed cooked carrots, sweet potatoes, green beans, squash
Meat/Poultry/Fish: Pureed or minced chicken, beef, lamb, salmon, tuna
Grains: Oatmeal cereal or rice cereal fortified with iron; oatmeal; whole wheat toast; crackers
Dairy: Whole milk yoghurt or cottage cheese; shredded cheese.
How Much Food Should AN 8-MONTH Baby Eat?
At eight months old, your baby probably eats three meals a day and snacks. But how much food should an 8-month-old baby eat at each meal?
It's important to remember that all babies are different and will therefore need different amounts of food. Some babies may be content with just a few spoonfuls, while others may want more. It's important to follow your baby's cues and let them eat as much or as little as they want.
However, there are general guidelines on how much food an 8-month-old baby should eat. The Department of Health recommends that an 8-month-old baby should have around 16 ounces (480 ml) of breastmilk or formula per day.
If your baby is eating solid foods, they should have around 2-3 tablespoons of cereals, two tablespoons of fruit or vegetables, and one tablespoon of meat or proteins per meal. In addition, they should also have around 4 ounces (120 ml) of water per day.
8 Months Baby Food Chart with Indian food
Regarding baby food, Indian cuisine offers a wide variety of options. Here is a sample food chart for an 8-month-old baby, incorporating some of the best that India has to offer:
Week 1 Of 8-Month Baby Food ChartMonday
Steamed Rice Idli
Ghee Rice
Moong Dal Soup
Tuesday
Strawberry Banana Puree
Tomato Kichadi
Pumpkin Puree
Wednesday
Kiwi Rices
Pongal
Tomato Soup
Thursday
Carrot Puree
Mashed Mix Vegetables
Soya Rice
Friday
Set dosa
Dal Rice
Wheat Dalia
Saturday
Carrot Slices
Pumpkin Kichadi
Upma
Sunday
Oats
Peas Pulao
Mix Vegetable Soup
Week 2 Of 8-Month Baby Food ChartMonday
Apple Rice Porridge
Dal Kichadi
Carrot Puree
Tuesday
Rice Idli
Potato Kichadi
Upma
Wednesday
Potato Finger Food
Vegetable Kichadi
Vegetable Oats Porridge
Thursday
Beetroot Pearl Millet Porridge
Mashed Potato
Pumpkin Puree
Friday
Sliced Carrots
Tomato Kichadi
Fig Puree
Saturday
Apple Suji Kheer
Pongal
Dal Panni
Sunday
Pomegranate Juice
Tomato Kichadi
Lentil Soup
Week 3 Of 8-Month Baby Food ChartMonday
Banana Smoothie
Vegetable Rice
Mix Dal Soup
Tuesday
Chikko Slices
Ghee Rice
Fried Paneer
Wednesday
Uttapam
Potato Kichadi
Upma
Thursday
Apple Slices
Palak Kichadi
Chicken Puree
Friday
Banana Porridge
Dalia
Pumpkin Puree
Saturday
Kiwi Smoothie
Vegetable Khichdi
Carrot Palak Puree
Sunday
Dosa
Kichadi
Soya Wheet Porridge
Week 4 Of 8-Month Baby Food ChartMonday
Banana Slices
Masala Kichadi
Mashed Potato Salad
Tuesday
Chickpea Pancakes
Tomato Rice
Fish Puree
Wednesday
Papaya Juice
Ghee Rice
Dalia
Thursday
Apple Smoothie
Mix Vegetable Rice
Apple Kichdi
Friday
Bajra Porridge
Dal Rice
Dosa
Saturday
Crumbled Eggs
Potato Kichadi
Mix Vegetable Soup
Sunday
Chikko Porridge
Rasam Rice
Pongal
Conclusion
One final thing to remember when feeding your 8-month-old baby is their weight. Babies come in all shapes and sizes, so staying focused on the numbers on the scale is important. However, using a baby weight chart as a general guide is helpful.
Always consult your paediatrician if you are concerned about your baby's weight or if they seem to be losing weight. They can give you specific guidance based on your child's individual needs.
