8-month-old baby feeding schedule & expert advice

At 8 months, your little eater may be making their opinions known about certain foods. Not a fan of a certain food when it’s first offered? Try again! After exclusively eating breast milk and/or formula—which is slightly sweet to the palate—for the majority of their lives, some babies need a while to warm up to new flavors. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, it may take as many as 10 to 15 times trying a food before babies are really interested in it. However, starting (and staying persistent) with healthy food offerings from an early age can pay off.

Related: 8-month-old baby milestones

How much should an 8-month-old eat?

The American Academy of Pediatrics and La Leche League recommend the following feeding schedules and amounts for 8-month-olds.

Solids: Offered 2 times per day or at family mealtimes

Breast milk: Up to 8 ounces every 4 to 5 hours

Formula: 7 to 8 ounces every 5 to 6 hours

Your 8-month-old baby should be no stranger to solids! Here are the recommended serving sizes for an 8-month-old baby:

• Infant cereal (single grain) mixed with breast milk or formula: 5 to 8 tablespoons (optional)
• Fruits: 2 to 3 tablespoons
• Vegetables: 2 to 3 tablespoons
• Shredded meats, eggs, yogurt and soft-cooked plant-based proteins, such as lentils: 2 to 3 tablespoons
• Starches: ¼ to ½ cup simple carbs, such as pasta, mashed potatoes, bread

Related: Are you touched out, mama? A psychologist shares the signs

What’s a good 8-month-old feeding schedule?

Remember, it’s more important that you follow your baby’s cues than adhere to a set schedule, so schedules outlined are general guides of how frequently you’ll feed your baby—not hard-and-fast rules.

These guidelines also apply primarily to infants born full-term and without any underlying medical conditions. For preterm infants, babies with certain medical conditions or for any specific questions pertaining to your child, be sure to consult your child’s pediatrician for a more customized feeding schedule.

Related: How much sleep does an 8-month-old baby need?

What foods aren’t safe for 8-month-old babies?

No longer a novice with solid foods, your baby should have a pretty well-rounded meal plan these days—including fruits, veggies, protein and starches. However, it’s wise (and even essential) to avoid a few foods at this point.

Baby foods to avoid serving:

• Do not offer honey before the age of 12 months
• Do not offer pure cow’s milk before the age of 12 months—although full-fat yogurt and cheese is fine
• Limit added salt and sugar
• Avoid foods that are round, like grapes and hot dogs
• Avoid foods that are small and hard like nuts, bites of raw vegetables, candies

A note from Motherly on feeding an 8-month-old

Another good tip for raising a healthy, adventurous eater? Put healthy, adventurous foods on your own plate. At eight months, your baby is observant and curious—so they will be more encouraged to eat their broccoli if they see you munching on it, too.

Look ahead: 9-month-old baby feeding schedule and expert advice

A version of this story was published October 17, 2021. It has been updated.