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8-Month-Old Feeding Schedule: Adding a Third Meal

Last updated October 2026

At 8 months many babies try a third meal while milk feeds carry on, often around four a day. An example day, texture tips, and why snacks aren't needed yet.

By 8 months, many babies are having two meals a day and some are ready for a third. Breast milk or first infant formula should still be your baby's main drink until 12 months.

As your baby eats more, they may want less milk at each feed or drop a feed altogether. Let that happen at your baby's pace rather than cutting feeds to make room for food.

What changes at 8 months?

Many babies are now ready to try a third meal, usually tea in the late afternoon. Start it small, the way you started the first meal, and let it grow with your baby's appetite. If two meals still suit your baby, that's fine: the NHS expects babies to be having three meals a day by about 10 months.

Eating skills develop quickly now, but not on a fixed date. Some babies are starting to pick up smaller soft pieces; others still do better with larger pieces they can hold in a fist. Watch what your baby actually does. Cook firm vegetables and fruit until soft, quarter small round foods such as grapes and cherry tomatoes, and cut vegetables, cheese and bread into narrow batons or strips. Avoid hard foods such as whole nuts and raw carrot or apple.

Offer sips of water from an open or free-flow cup with meals. Cows' milk can be used in cooking, but isn't suitable as a main drink until 12 months.

An example day at 8 months

  1. 7:00Milk feed
  2. 8:00Breakfast
  3. 12:00Lunch
  4. 12:30Milk feed
  5. 15:30Milk feed
  6. 17:00Tea (small to start)
  7. 19:00Milk feed before bed

Here tea is a new, small third meal. The NHS says babies under 12 months do not need snacks: if your baby seems hungry between meals, offer an extra milk feed instead, like the mid-afternoon feed above. Some US sample menus, such as the AAP's for 8 to 12 months, do include between-meal snacks; this page follows the NHS advice.

These clock times are an example to adapt around naps, not a timetable. See the full baby feeding schedule for 6 to 12 months, or compare the 7-month and 9-month examples.

Meal ideas for an 8-month-old

  • Breakfast: porridge with ground nuts stirred in (once nuts have been introduced) and mashed banana
  • Breakfast: scrambled egg with toast fingers and soft pear slices
  • Lunch: shredded chicken, soft-cooked carrot batons and mashed potato
  • Lunch: lightly mashed lentil and vegetable stew with soft pasta shapes
  • Tea: grated cheese stirred into mashed sweet potato, with soft broccoli florets

Include an iron-rich food most days: meat, fish, egg, beans, lentils or fortified cereal. See our iron-rich foods for babies guide and the baby-led weaning food list. Seat your baby upright and supervise every meal. Call your local emergency number if your baby is choking and can't cough, cry or breathe effectively, and start baby choking first aid straight away.

Feeding Schedules

Related Guides

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Frequently Asked Questions

What should a 6 month old eat in a day?

At around 6 months babies usually drink breast milk or formula while gradually trying small amounts of solid foods once or twice per day.

How many meals should a 6 month old have?

Many babies start with one or two small meals daily while continuing regular milk feeds.

How much solid food should babies eat?

When starting solids babies may eat only a few spoonfuls. Intake increases gradually as they learn to chew and swallow.

Do babies still need milk after starting solids?

Breast milk or formula remains the main source of nutrition during the first year even after solids are introduced.

What is a typical baby feeding schedule?

A baby feeding schedule often includes several milk feeds and one or more small meals depending on age.

When do babies start eating three meals a day?

Many babies move towards three meals a day from about 7 to 9 months, and most are having three meals a day by about 10 months, alongside their milk feeds.

Should I feed my baby on a schedule or on demand?

A loose schedule with meals roughly tied to family mealtimes works well for most babies, while milk feeds can stay more responsive. Watch hunger and fullness cues rather than enforcing fixed quantities.

How long after milk should I offer solids?

The NHS suggests offering food before your baby's usual milk feed, at a time when they're not too tired, and not waiting until they're very hungry. Milk feeds stay responsive around meals.

Can I give my baby snacks between meals?

The NHS says babies under 12 months do not need snacks: if your baby seems hungry between meals, offer extra milk feeds instead. From 12 months, 2 healthy snacks between meals, such as fruit, vegetable sticks, toast or plain yoghurt, can be added.

What does a 6 month old feeding schedule with solids and formula look like?

Keep offering breast milk or formula as usual, and add one small solid meal at a relaxed time, before a milk feed rather than when your baby is very hungry. Clock times are only an example; milk feeds stay responsive. Build up to more meals gradually as your baby is ready.

What does a 7 month old feeding schedule with solids and formula look like?

From about 7 months babies gradually move towards 3 meals a day (breakfast, lunch and tea) alongside their usual milk feeds. An example day: milk on waking, breakfast, milk, lunch, milk, tea, milk before bed. No snacks are needed before 12 months; offer extra milk if your baby seems hungry between meals.

What does an 8 month old feeding schedule look like?

Most 8-month-olds are having or moving towards 3 meals a day (breakfast, lunch and tea) plus their milk feeds, which stay responsive. The NHS says babies under 12 months do not need snacks; offer extra milk feeds if they seem hungry between meals. Clock times are an example, not a rule.

How many oz of formula should a 6 month old drink per day?

There's no single amount to aim for. Breast milk or infant formula remains the main drink through the first year, and milk feeds stay responsive to your baby's hunger and fullness cues. As meals increase, many babies naturally take a little less milk; ask your health visitor or GP if you're worried about how much your baby is drinking or how they're growing.

How long should I wait between solid feeds?

Most babies eat solids every 3-4 hours during the day, mirroring family meal patterns. Don't worry about precise gaps - follow hunger cues. A predictable rhythm of breakfast, lunch, and dinner helps babies recognize hunger and fullness.

What time should I feed my baby solids?

Pick a time when you and your baby are not rushed and your baby is not too tired, and offer food before their usual milk feed (NHS). Many families start with breakfast or lunch; once your baby is on 2–3 meals, fit them around your family's mealtimes.

Can a baby eat too much solid food?

Babies are good at self-regulating in the first year. Stop offering when your baby turns away, closes their mouth, or pushes the spoon away. If a baby consistently overeats and milk feeds drop sharply, talk to your pediatrician.

Should I drop a milk feed when my baby starts solids?

Not at first. Solids complement milk in the first year - they don't replace it. Most babies naturally drop a milk feed between 9-12 months as solids increase. Let your baby lead; never force-drop a feed.

What if my baby is not eating enough solids?

It is normal for new eaters to take only a few spoonfuls. Offer solids consistently 1-3 times per day, vary textures and flavors, and keep meals positive. Most babies eat more by 8-9 months as skills develop. Talk to your pediatrician if growth slows.

Sources & References

This guide is informed by current guidelines from leading health organizations:

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