7 - 8 month old baby feeding schedule: Food chart, formula & breastmilk

Feeding your baby at 7 - 8 months may feel like a full-time job! Between nursing sessions or bottles and solid food meals, feeding does take a good portion of the day. But at this age, they are exploring more and more with solid foods and really getting all the good stuff they . Keep reading for all you need to know about feeding your 7 - 8 month old baby.

7 to 8 month old baby sample feeding schedule

The sample schedule below can help guide you in planning your baby’s feeding schedule. Every baby’s needs are different and may shift over the course of 7 to 8 months. Always do what’s best for your baby and your family!

How much to feed a 7 to 8 month old: Food chart

7 to 8 month old babies will continue to get the majority of their nutrition through breast milk and/or formula and are generally exploring solid food more and more. A typical day may include one or two solid food meals in addition to breast milk or bottles. Both and solid foods are appropriate for this age group. It’s common for families to offer a combination of purees and finger foods rather than strictly adhere to just one style of feeding. 

Most babies will have about 4 to 5 breast milk or formula feeds a day, equaling roughly 28 - 34 ounces a day [].

7 - 8 month feeding chart example for baby-led weaning

7 - 8 month feeding chart example for purees

5 tips for feeding your 7 to 8 month old baby

Tip #1: Create space for mealtime 

Setting up a space to dedicate to your baby’s mealtimes will set you up for success! Place their highchair at or near the family table and gather all supplies needed (cups, utensils, etc.) in one spot. Being organized may make mealtime feel easier. 

Tip #2: Explore flavors and textures

Babies at this age really are more open to exploring a wide variety of flavors and textures. So, as much as you are able, introduce them to new foods and foods prepared in different ways. Allow them to explore foods with their hands and remember they may not “like” a food the first time or two they try it.

Tip #3: Feed formula and breast milk take priority

Formula and breast milk are still the main sources of nutrition for your baby even though they are beginning to eat more solid foods. Continue to feed formula and breast milk first to ensure your baby is meeting their nutritional needs. Try to time solid meals at least 30 to 60 minutes after a liquid feed to optimize your baby’s hunger. 

Tip #4: Enjoy eating together

Start the habit of eating together early! Your baby will learn a lot by watching you eat, including table manners and how to eat with utensils. They will also want to eat what you're eating so it’s the perfect time to model healthy eating habits. Do your best to eliminate distractions (turn off the TV, put away phones and toys) to help your baby focus on learning to eat.

Tip #5: It’s okay to be messy

Feeding a baby tends to get messy — sometimes really messy! It can be hard to embrace the mess, who wants one more thing to clean? But exploring food with their hands is one way babies learn. If you let your little one get messy when feeding, they are more likely to try foods and are less likely to have feeding challenges as they get older. 

Night feedings at 7 to 8 month olds

At 7 to 8 months of age, many babies can sleep for long stretches at night, especially if they’ve developed strong self-soothing skills and are eating enough calories throughout the day. However, some babies sleep better with a night feeding, typically a dream feed or an early morning feed around 3:00 - 5:00 AM. There’s no need to wake your baby to feed at this age unless you’ve been told otherwise by your pediatrician.

Takeaway: Feeding 7 to 8 month olds

By now, we hope you’re feeling confident when it comes to feeding your 7 - 8 month old baby! It’s certainly an exciting time, but like all things parenting, it can test your patience and feel challenging now and again. Do your best to follow your baby’s hunger and fullness cues and keep exposing them to as many solid foods as possible. Above all, take a deep breath and have fun!

If you’re curious about what lies ahead when it comes to feeding, check out the . Take a look back at how far you’ve come by revisiting a .