| | by Dr Hemapriya
As your little one breezes through 8 months, you will be presented with fresh challenges in feeding! Our 8 months baby food chart for Indian Babies will help you navigate this phase with ease.
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Signs your Baby is ready for Finger Foods
How to Introduce Finger Foods to Babies
8 Months Baby Food Chart with Indian Recipes
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
8-month Baby Food Chart for Weight Gain
Frequently asked Questions
What should babies eat at 8 months?
How much solids should an 8 month old eat?
What can my 8 month old eat for breakfast?
What vegetables are good for 8 month old?
What Can I Give My 8 month old for lunch?
What can I make my 8 month old for dinner?
Buy Healthy Nutritious Baby, Toddler food made by our own Doctor Mom !
Your baby is 8 months old and she’s doing a lot of amazing new things! At this age, your little one is starting to crawl, and this has led to renewed curiosity to explore. This also means that she loses interest in familiar foods, doesn’t want to be spoon-fed and wants to create lots of messes. All these are cues that your baby is now ready for a new baby diet chart including finger foods!
By 8 months your baby has achieved certain physical milestones which enable her to handle finger foods without trouble. Through this, baby can explore different sizes, textures and tastes in food. Before starting finger foods, make sure you have all the requisites for feeding solids.
Signs your Baby is ready for Finger Foods
1. Baby is able to sit upright.
2. Baby has lost the tongue thrust reflex, which means she does not push out food with her tongue
3. He has mastered the pincer grasp – he can pick up food with the forefinger and thumb
4. The baby has enough hand-eye coordination to pick up food and transfer it to the mouth
How to Introduce Finger Foods to Babies
1. It is best for the baby to sit on a high chair at the table while eating. Not only does this control the mess, it also builds the foundation for table manners. Check out our detailed guide on selecting the right feeding chair for your baby.
2. Experts advise giving babies whatever the family eats, but it’s important to ensure that the food is suitable for the baby’s age. Boiled vegetables cut into strips and evenly cut fruit cubes (apple, pear) make great finger foods. Other options are rice/bread sticks or spoons pre-loaded with cereal.
3. Do not cut the food into bite-size pieces, as these will be too small for the baby to hold. The size of the baby’s fist will give a good idea about the size. A slightly elongated, chip-shape will be easier for little hands to hold.
4. Rather than leaving the baby alone with a plate of food, it’s recommended that the parent sit with the baby and guide her on how to take the food into the mouth.
5. Allow the baby to try one food at a time. For instance, try apple on one day and pear the next. Combining foods will prevent the baby from being able to appreciate and distinguish between the different flavors and textures.
6. Start with 2-3 pieces of finger food in the beginning and slowly increase the quantity. If the baby rejects a food, don’t get disheartened. Leave it for now and retry after a few days. Chances are that she likes it now!
7. Avoid junk food and foods with lots of sugar. In general, avoiding processed food and going for homemade food or fresh produce is best.
8. It’s not mandatory to follow strict meal times with your baby. Instead, follow your baby’s hunger cues – this will increase your chances for success.
9. Be prepared for the mess! Place a large plastic sheet under the high chair and use washable covers wherever required. Babies are likely to throw spoons, so have extra ones on hand ready to use.
10. There is always a danger of choking, so never ever leave the baby unattended. Don’t rush the baby either, and let her take her time to explore the food and play with it.
Don’t expect your little one to polish off the finger foods at first, let them take time to slowly explore the taste and texture of the food before eating them. Here are a few foods you can introduce at this age:
- Egg yolk
- Chicken
- Fish
- Cheese
- Yogurt
- Tofu
- Cauliflower
- Broccoli
- Kiwi fruit
- Whole wheat Bread Sticks
To know more about the suitability of these foods, you can click on the link of each food. If you’re wondering why yogurt and cheese are on this list even though cow’s milk is not recommended for babies under 1 year, here’s the reason – in cheese and yogurt the lactose is broken down, making it easily digestible to babies under one.
For finger food recipes based on specific fruits and vegetables, check out our list of Vegetable Finger Foods and Fruit Finger Foods.
I have structured the charts in such a way that the baby is gradually introduced to heavier diets, so I would advise you to follow the same order. Please follow the 3-Day Rule before introducing any new food.
Here is a sample feeding schedule you can follow:
- Early Morning – 7 A.M.
- Breakfast – 9 A.M.
- Lunch – 1 P.M.
- Dinner – 7-9 P.M.
- Before Bed – 10 P.M.
This 8 months baby food chart is just a general guideline and it is more important to follow your baby’s hunger cues than sticking to a schedule. Please continue to breastfeed your baby in between meals, as it is still the main source of energy and nutrition for your little one.
Week 1
| Day | Breakfast | Mid Morning | Lunch | Late Afternoon | Dinner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | Jowar Porridge | BM/FM | Ghee Rice | BM/FM | Green Peas Potato Puree |
| Tuesday | Strawberry Banana Puree | BM/FM | Tomato Khichdi | BM/FM | Green Gram Wheat Porridge |
| Wednesday | Egg Yolk Scramble | BM/FM | Flavored Pongal | BM/FM | Vegetable Khichdi |
| Thursday | Pineapple Carrot Puree | BM/FM | Potato Khichdi | BM/FM | Soya Rice Porridge |
| Friday | Broken Wheat Porridge | BM/FM | Masala Khichdi | BM/FM | Wheat Dalia Porridge |
| Saturday | Soya Wheat Porridge | BM/FM | Pumpkin Khichdi | BM/FM | Carrot Khichdi |
| Sunday | Oats Porridge | BM/FM | Ash Gourd Khichdi | BM/FM | Wheat Porridge |
Week 2
| Day | Breakfast | Mid Morning | Lunch | Late Afternoon | Dinner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | Sprouted Sathumaavu Porridge | BM/FM | Plain Pongal | BM/FM | Indian Chicken Puree |
| Tuesday | Chickpea Pancakes | BM/FM | Potato Khichdi | BM/FM | Vegetable Moong Dal Soup |
| Wednesday | Steamed Dosa, Scrambled Tofu | BM/FM | Vegetable Khichdi | BM/FM | Carrot Oats Porridge |
| Thursday | Beetroot Pearl Millet Porridge | BM/FM | Ghee Rice | BM/FM | Masala Khichdi |
| Friday | Egg Yolk Ragi Pancakes | BM/FM | Carrot Khichdi | BM/FM | Puffed Rice Porridge |
| Saturday | Soya Rice Porridge | BM/FM | Flavored Pongal | BM/FM | Raw Kerala Banana Porridge |
| Sunday | Ragi Porridge | BM/FM | Tomato Khichdi | BM/FM | Bajra Porridge |
Week 3
| Day | Breakfast | Mid Morning | Lunch | Late Afternoon | Dinner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | Groundnut Poha Porridge | BM/FM | Paneer Vegetable Puree | BM/FM | Broccoli Spinach Puree |
| Tuesday | Fruity Paneer Puree | BM/FM | Ghee Rice | BM/FM | Pan Fried Paneer Cubes |
| Wednesday | Egg Yolk with Orange Juice | BM/FM | Potato Khichdi | BM/FM | Carrot Oats Porridge |
| Thursday | Amaranth Porridge | BM/FM | Palak Khichdi | BM/FM | Indian Chicken Puree |
| Friday | Banana Makhana Porridge | BM/FM | Tomato Khichdi | BM/FM | Carrot Palak Puree |
| Saturday | Whole Wheat Apple Pancakes | BM/FM | Vegetable Khichdi | BM/FM | Beetroot Millet Porridge |
| Sunday | Steamed Dosa | BM/FM | Pumpkin Khichdi | BM/FM | Soya Wheat Porridge |
Week 4
| Day | Breakfast | Mid Morning | Lunch | Late Afternoon | Dinner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | Soya Rice Porridge | BM/FM | Masala Khichdi | BM/FM | Fish Puree |
| Tuesday | Chickpea Pancakes | BM/FM | Carrot Khichdi | BM/FM | Beetroot Potato Puree |
| Wednesday | Wheat Porridge | BM/FM | Ghee Rice | BM/FM | Sprouted Sathumaavu Porridge |
| Thursday | Fruity Paneer Puree | BM/FM | Paneer Vegetable Puree | BM/FM | Apple Khichdi |
| Friday | Bajra Porridge | BM/FM | Potato Khichdi | BM/FM | Flavored Pongal |
| Saturday | Egg Yolk Ragi Pancakes | BM/FM | Spinach Khichdi | BM/FM | Vegetable Moong Dal Soup |
| Sunday | Chikoo Oats Porridge | BM/FM | Plain Pongal | BM/FM | French Beans Puree |
No time to prepare baby food at home? Don’t worry, we prepare it hygienically and ship it to your doorstep. All food products are made FRESH only after the order is placed
Use this 8 months baby food chart pdf and plan your baby’s meals using a Printable Meal Planner. You can also keep a “Baby Food Diary” to track your little one’s favorite recipes and food allergies if any.
For all the 8-month baby food recipes, you can visit our Recipe Index
8-month Baby Food Chart for Weight Gain
When it comes to weight gain for your baby, you want to make sure that you are providing them with the right food to support their growth. Follow this 8-month baby food chart for weight gain and you will be on your way to a healthy and nourished baby! Along with providing your baby with the right food, it is also important to keep their environment as stress-free as possible. Putting your baby in a calm and stimulating environment will help to encourage healthy growth and development.
Here are the foods that you can add for healthy weight gain
- Breastmilk
- Potato
- Eggs
- Dry Fruits Powder
- Sprouted sathumaavu powder
- Wheat
- Ghee
Check out baby food charts for other months here:
- 6 Months Baby Food Chart
- 7 Months Baby Food Chart
- 9 Months Baby Food Chart
- 10 Months Baby Food Chart
- 11 Months Baby Food Chart
- 1 Year Baby Food Chart
Have you downloaded our Free E-Book on 50 First Food Recipes for babies? Click here to download.
Frequently asked Questions
What should babies eat at 8 months?
According to WHO, Babies can eat all foods at 8 months of age provided they do not have any history of food allergy. In this detailed article, we have given 8 months baby food chart for indian babies with complete recipes
How much solids should an 8 month old eat?
8 month old babies can have 3 meals a day and the amount totally depends on your baby's cues.
What can my 8 month old eat for breakfast?
8 month old baby can eat the following for breakfast
1. Pancakes
2. Cheela
3. Millet Porridge
4. Eggs Scramble
5. Dosa
What vegetables are good for 8 month old?
Try these vegetables for your 8 month old baby
1. Carrot
2. Beetroot
3. Potato
4. Pumpkin
5. Bottle Gourd
6. Leafy vegetables
7. Peas
8. Sweet Potatoes
9. Broccoli
What Can I Give My 8 month old for lunch?
You can give the following recipes for your 8 month old baby as lunch
1. Vegetable Khichdi
2. Porridge
3.Ghee rice
What can I make my 8 month old for dinner?
You can give the following dishes as dinner for your 8 month old baby
1. Porridge
2. Khichdi
3. Puree
4. Pancakes
Disclaimer: This 8 months baby food chart presented here is meant as a guide and does not replace professional medical advice. You should always discuss your baby’s dietary requirements with your doctor.
- Post updated on: 24 February 2023
- Post updated on: 21 September 2019
- Post first published on: 15 July 2014
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