When introducing solid foods around the sixth month, many mothers wonder how to create an appropriate schedule for their baby. Babies tend to enjoy having a more or less established routine, and it shows. The example schedule we suggest should be viewed as a guide, not a rule, as every baby is different. It’s best to try it and observe your baby’s adjustment. Also, if your baby’s number of meals does not match the examples, don’t worry as long as you provide ample opportunities for interaction with food.
These examples can be applied to both breastfed babies and those who drink formula. If you’re just starting with solid foods, follow these tips and see what foods you can introduce by clicking here.
Example of a Feeding Schedule for Babies Aged 6 – 8 Months
Note: The times indicated are given as approximate start times; the duration depends on each baby.
6:30-7:00 Waking up: breastfeeding or bottle feeding when the baby wakes up
7:30-8:00 Breakfast: puree/mash of fruit/vegetables with cereals, always have water available
9:00-9:30 Nap time
11:00 Breastfeeding/bottle feeding
12:30-13:00 Lunch: always have water available, puree/mash of fruit/vegetables with cereals (first without, then with gluten), protein if possible + good fat (a bit of olive oil, avocado, 100% coconut flour, etc.) + fruit (if the fruit is too much for the baby, it can be a snack later)
13:30-14:30 Nap time
15:30-16:30 Breastfeeding/bottle feeding
18:00-19:00 Dinner: always have water available, puree/mash of fruit/vegetables with cereals (first without, then with gluten), protein if possible + good fat (a bit of olive oil, avocado, 100% coconut flour, etc.) + fruit (if the fruit is too much for the baby, it can be a snack later)
19:00-19:30 Breastfeeding/bottle feeding
19:30-20:00 Sleeping
Tips for feeding babies aged 6 to 8 months:
In the beginning, it is best to lower your expectations to a minimum and focus on making feeding a positive, cheerful event, even if the child eats only a few spoonfuls.
During this period, depending on when you started introducing solid foods, the baby should have one to three main meals along with breastfeeding/bottle feeding as desired throughout the day. If you start at six months, aim for three meals by the end of the seventh month. Some new recommendations say you can start with three meals right away, but it’s best to follow your baby’s cues. Don’t stress if you can’t fit in a couple of meals a day right at six months. The baby is just starting to try food and will eat very little.
Be consistent: try to feed the baby always in the same place, preferably in a high chair, so that the baby shares the table with the rest of the family and always at more or less the same time. • Allow the child to touch the food, especially different textures, to feel what they are eating. Don’t be afraid of mess; it is a normal and desirable thing, no matter how strange it may sound. Encourage the child to take food on their own from the beginning. You can give them a fresh carrot to feel while eating the puree, for example.
By the end of the seventh month, the child will be able to eat pieces of certain foods on their own. You can give them soft pieces of food cut into cubes, such as banana, cooked zucchini, pumpkin, sweet potato, and the like. It’s likely that more food will end up on the floor than in the mouth, but purees ensure that the child eats enough and gets enough nutrients.
Don’t worry about the amount of food your child eats. Until one year of age, the main food is still breast milk and/or formula. Allow the child to eat as much as they can and do not force them to eat as much as you have imagined.
Pay attention and keep track of how well your baby eats depending on how tired they are, how much time they had to play, and in relation to breastfeeding/bottle feeding.
