At 7 months old, your baby is still primarily reliant on breast milk or formula for nutrition, but they’re also starting to explore solid foods. WHO and UNICEF recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months. After that, you can introduce nutritious solid foods while continuing breastfeeding for up to 2 years or longer.
However, it can be a real challenge for parents to make a balanced feeding schedule for 7-month-old toddlers.
In this comprehensive guide, you will get an idea of what schedule you should follow to feed your 7 to 8-month-old toddler throughout the day.
7-Month-Old Feeding Schedule + Complete Food Chart for Toddlers
At this stage, babies typically enjoy 4–5 milk feeds and 1–2 solid meals daily. Below is a sample schedule toddlers’ moms can follow.
| Time | Food Options | Portion Size |
| Morning (7:00 AM) | Breast milk or formula | 6-8 oz |
| Breakfast (8:00 AM or 9:30 AM) | Baby cereal + mashed apple or banana | 1-2 tbsp |
| Mid-morning Snack (10:00 AM) | Breast milk or formula | 6-8 oz |
| Lunch (12:00 PM) | Pureed fruit/veggies/shredded chicken/mashed sweet potato | 1-2 tbsp |
| Afternoon Snack (3:00 PM) | Breast milk or formula | 6-8 oz |
| Dinner (6:00 PM) | soft-cooked grains/oatmeal/scrambled egg yolk | 1-2 tbsp |
| Before Bed (7:00 PM or 8:00 PM) | Breast milk or formula | 6-8 oz |
Note that every baby is different, so observe their hunger cues. You must make necessary changes in the 7-month-old feeding and sleep schedule to maintain a healthy body weight.
Useful Feeding Tips for 7-Month-Old Every Mom Need
Solid foods and their textures are still new to your toddler. So, you should be a little patient with them and slowly familiarize them with new tastes.
- Specialists suggest introducing solid food through baby-led weaning. It means parents should allow their babies to feed themselves with soft, manageable pieces of food. This helps develop motor skills.
- Milk is their primary source of nutrition. You can mix mashed fruits with milk for easy consumption.
- Be mindful of food shapes and sizes to prevent choking.
- Give them their favorite toy cars or blocks to keep them engaged in lunch or dinner.
- When setting a 7-month-old eating schedule, ensure that you don’t give them honey, sugar, salt, or nuts. According to UNICEF, toddlers should not have honey until they become a year old.
- Give them smooth to lumpy purees as they grow up.
- Offer iron-rich foods like lentils, meats, egg yolks, and fortified baby cereals.
- Go slow with new foods to identify any allergies. Introduce one at a time and observe reactions.
Key Takeaways
Here are the top 3 things you must know as a toddler’s mother when fixing their feeding routine:
- Always mash or cut fruits and cooked veggies properly, and let your child feed themselves.
- Breast milk/formula remains the primary nutrition for the 7-month-olds.
- Keep the schedule flexible. Make adjustments based on the baby’s hunger cues and preferences.
FAQs About 7 to 8-Month-Old Eating Schedule
Q: Why won’t my 7-month-old eat solids?
A: A 7-month-old may refuse solids due to natural developmental variation or preference for milk. Keep offering small tastes patiently, or you can consult a pediatrician if the situation worsens.
Q: How many ounces should a 7-month-old drink per feeding?
A: A 7-month-old toddler typically drinks 6–8 ounces (180–240 ml) per feeding, around 4–5 times daily.
Q: How much puree for a 7-month-old?
A: At 7 months, offer 2-4 tablespoons of puree per meal, 1-2 times daily. However, breast milk/formula is the main nutrition source for toddlers.