8 Months Baby Food Chart for Indian

Your 8-month-old baby is now at the stage of being fascinated by everything. With just a tooth or two, your child must be smiling on its way to becoming a toddler. At the age of eight months, babies can gulp down mashed food, and slowly, they even start chewing solid food items. Your child is at a period of growth, so you need to be sure that the food you feed him helps develop his chewing capabilities and also fulfils his nutritional requirements.

Feeding and caring for an eight-month-old baby can be an arduous but rewarding experience for parents. A key aspect to take into consideration is the nutritional needs of your infant, and that includes offering different types of solid food while giving formula or breastfeeding. 

In this article, we'll give you a step-by-step list of foods to feed your 8-month-old baby, a sample food chart and details on how to monitor your child's weight.

FOOD FOR 8-MONTH-OLD BABY-

A healthy diet that comprises food items high in protein, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals is vital for an 8-month-old baby. There are many organic foods that provide a proper mixture of these essential nutrients. Generally, the food choices for an eight-month-old baby must contain at least one of the following.

1. Fruits

Fruits are a great source of minerals, vitamins, and other micronutrients. Apart from the standard fruits such as bananas, apples, papayas, chikoos, etc., you can also include other fruits, such as the kiwi, strawberries, pomegranates, etc. Fruits cut in the shape of long cubes are great finger foods for babies. So, cut the fruits in various shapes and offer them to your child.

2. Vegetables

At eight months, your baby may transition from purees of mashed vegetables to tiny cubes of cooked vegetables. You can include a range of vegetables in your child's diet. Add the vegetables to khichdi, or make a steamed vegetable bowl. Slowly introduce vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, green peas, and pumpkin can be gradually introduced into the baby's diet.

3. Fish

Fish is an extremely healthy food that can be fed to babies as young as eight months. Fish such as tuna, salmon and rohu that are rich in omega-3 acids are excellent for babies' growth and brain development. Fish can be fed to babies as a puree or as soup.

4. Tofu/Paneer

Paneer or tofu is made of Soymilk and cow's milk, respectively. They are high in protein and extremely beneficial for the development of babies. Tofu is a good option for those babies with lactose intolerance or who are allergic to paneer.

5. Chicken

Chicken is considered to be among the best foods for babies. It is typically introduced around the age of seven months and is generally served in the form of puree or as a soup. The juice or broth in which it is cooked is also nutritious for babies.

6. Eggs

Eggs are healthy food since they're full of healthy fats and proteins. You can give a cooked egg to your child in small pieces. Some babies are allergic to eggs, so you should keep an eye on the symptoms of allergies in babies.

7. Yoghurt

Thick yoghurt made from cow's milk can be given to babies, particularly in the summer season. There are numerous fruit-flavoured yoghurts available in the market that make great snack options for babies. They not only provide beneficial bacteria for the gut but also are an excellent source of vital minerals and vitamins.

Eight-Month Baby Food Chart

As your baby reaches eight months old, they are ready to try different solid foods with its usual formula or breastmilk. Here's a sample food chart for an 8-month-old baby:

• Formula or breastmilk: Continue to provide formula or breastmilk as your baby's primary source of nutrition. Formula or breastmilk should be given at least four times a day at this age.

• Pureed vegetables and fruits: Begin by introducing pureed fruits and vegetables to provide minerals and vitamins. Avocados, sweet potatoes, peas, apples, pears and carrots are good options. Don't add sugar or salt to these purées.

• Iron-rich food items: It's essential for eight months old babies to consume enough iron to support their growing bodies. Good sources of iron include cooked meat, poultry, fish, and fortified cereals.

• Grains: You can begin adding grains to your baby's diet from this point, such as oats, rice and quinoa. They can be mixed with pureed fruits and veggies to provide extra nutrients.

• Finger foods: Your baby might also be ready to try certain soft, easy-to-grip finger food items. A few options are soft cooked veggies, tiny pieces of soft fruit, and soft, cooked grains such as pasta.

How Much Food Should a Baby Eat at This Stage?

Most eight-month-old babies consume food actively, but they may throw tantrums while eating or get distracted away from their food due to their newfound mobility. Babies who begin crawling by the age of eight usually feed on the go as they are more interested in exploring the things around them. A typical eight-month-old baby must eat three meals and two snacks with at least two breastfeeding or formula-feeding sessions.

Feeding Tips when you feed your 8-month-old baby:

• Keep in mind that breastmilk or formula milk should remain the primary source of nutrients for an 8-month-old baby. Besides starting with solid foods, doctors suggest one or two sessions of feeding for babies up to one year old.

• If there is any history of food allergies in the family, particularly dairy products, look out for signs of allergies in your child. Also, talk to your physician regarding the possibility that your child will inherit such allergies.

• Beware of giving deep-fried food to your child. Try to include steaming fruits and veggies into the diet of your child.

• Make sure to keep the consistency of the food slightly grainy, and don't smash it entirely. It will assist your eight-month-old baby in transitioning from eating mashed food to solid.

• Make and keep baby food in glassware or steel. Avoid using plastic since it can contain harmful chemicals that have a risk of getting into food.

8 MONTH BABY WEIGHT CHART

As a parent, one thing you're likely to be most worried about is your child's growth and development. One method to monitor your baby's development is to look at their weight. An eight-month-old baby's weight chart can give you an idea of what to expect.

What exactly is a Weight Chart?

A weight chart is a device that helps monitor the weight of a newborn over time. It is typically comprised of a series of curves or lines representing the weight of babies at different stages of development. Some weight charts also have percentile lines which can be used to determine how a baby's weight compares to other babies of the same age and gender.

What can you expect from an 8-month-old baby weight chart? 

An 8-month-old Food Chart is likely to weigh between 17 to 22 pounds. This is only an approximate estimation; your baby could weigh more or less based on many factors like their genes, diet and overall health.

It's also important to know that boys tend to be heavier than girls at this age. This is because boys tend to have greater muscle mass and metabolism, which could result in greater weight.

It is important to remember that every baby is unique and develops at their own rate. The weight chart is merely a guideline and shouldn't be used to compare your baby to other babies. If you are concerned regarding your baby's weight, or development, it's best to talk to your paediatrician.