Introducing your 6-8 month old baby to solid foods - Get ready for the fun and the mess!

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If your 6 month - 8 month old baby is just starting solids at this stage, start out slowly, preparing a tablespoon sized portion of whatever food you have chosen to begin with. Nurse or bottle feed first and then offer your little one solids. Milk continues to be more important than solids at this age.

 

Some parents begin offering their babies solid foods by using their (clean and washed) finger as a spoon. They say that this helps their babies take to solid foods because the "new" spoon and the "new" food all at once seem to confuse baby.

Read our Solid Food Chart for the 6 month old - 8 month old baby below:

 

solid foods for the 6-8 month old baby

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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).

 

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. 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.

 

The above chart is a general guideline with solid baby foods that are age appropriate.  Our charts/guidelines are somewhat conservative in nature compared to guidelines from other sources.  We show age-ranges for different foods and we have researched and compiled these charts from various medical authorities such as private pediatricians, the AAP, the AAFP and the WHO. Feel free to print the chart and ask your Pediatrician about the listings and recommendations.  Our visitors say their pediatricians are impressed with our Chart's suitability and accuracy of listings. 

 

More and more parents are opting to skip traditional baby food purees and choose Baby Led Weaning as a method for introducing solid foods. 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 baby led weaning

 

We have also compiled a Sample Schedule for Introducing Baby's First Foods 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.


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. Read our How Much Food Should My Baby Eat page for more information.

 

Many parents find their babies will push the food out of their mouths on the first few tries.  This is normal however it may also indicate that your baby is not yet ready for solid foods.  Only you know your baby and will be able to decide if baby is truly ready for solids. 

tip You should always consult your baby’s pediatrician before introducing new foods to your baby.  Avoid any suggested foods that may pose an allergy risk for your baby.

 

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Baby Let's Eat.

 

(4)6-8 Months - Baby Let's Begin to Eat

"Baby" cereal and soft cooked thinly pureed fruits and veggies should be baby's first solid food experiences. 

 

Single ingredients only and at a space of 4 days apart with introducing each new food. 

You may skip the cereal and begin with a fruit like avocado or begin with a veggie like butternut squash or sweet potato.


7-10 Months - We're Moving On.

Bring on some spices (8 months old) and the softly mashed, or chopped into fine pieces of fruits, vegetables, meats, pasta and dairy such as yogurt and cheeses.

Pasta, veggies, and fruit should all be soft cooked and possibly mashed with a fork or masher. (Bananas need only be mashed.) Meats and proteins such as egg yolk, should be cooked and pureed or chopped into small soft bits.  If offering Tofu, you need not cook it first. 

 

Remember, baby will not have molars until sometime around the 12-18 month age range.  Foods should be easily mashed between the gums.

 

• • • •

Suggested Daily "Milk" Intakes

0-3 Months of age:
Breastfeed every 1-3 hours or Formula 18-40 ounces

4-5 Months of age:
Breastfeed every 2-4 hours or Formula 24-45 ounces

6-8 Months of age:
Breastfeed every 3-4 hours or Formula 24-37 ounces

9-12 Months of age:
Breastfeed every 4-5 hours or Formula 24-31 ounces

Whole Cow Milk, as a drink, should not be introduced until 12 months of age. Learn about Introducing Yogurt and Feeding Cheese to your baby.

compiled from Merck Source

 

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