#Ask expert
my baby girl has started 8 months. how many times should I need to give solids to my baby. now I am giving for 2 times a day. can I start by giving 3 meals a day.

Question

Accepted Answer

thank you so much mam. it means a lot

Accepted Answer

For an 8-month-old baby, it's typical to offer solid foods 2-3 times a day. At this age, you can gradually increase the frequency of solid meals as your baby gets accustomed to eating solids. Here’s a general guideline:

### Feeding Frequency:
1. **Starting with Solids:**
   - **2-3 Times a Day:** Initially, offering solid foods 2 times a day is a good start. As your baby gets used to solids and their intake increases, you can aim for 3 meals a day.

2. **Meal Timing:**
   - **Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner:** Try to offer solids at regular times each day, which can help establish a routine.

### What to Offer:
1. **Variety:** 
   - Include a variety of pureed or soft, mashed foods like fruits, vegetables, cereals, and proteins.
   - As your baby gets used to different textures, you can gradually introduce more varied and thicker textures.

2. **Balanced Diet:** 
   - Ensure the meals are balanced, including a mix of vegetables, fruits, cereals, and proteins.

### Complementary Feeding:
- **Breast Milk or Formula:** Continue to provide breast milk or formula as the primary source of nutrition. Solid foods should complement but not replace breast milk or formula.

### Transitioning to More Meals:
- **Observe Your Baby:** Watch how your baby responds to the additional meals. If they seem interested and are handling the new meals well, you can continue to increase the frequency.

### Summary:
- **Yes**, you can start offering solids 3 times a day at this stage.
- **Ensure a Balanced Diet** and continue to provide breast milk or formula.

If you have any concerns or specific questions about your baby’s feeding routine, consulting with your pediatrician can provide personalized guidance.

Accepted Answer

Hello there ma’am please do not worry about it too much. You can give three full meals and snacks in between. Please give semi solid food items like banana and mashed potatoes and mashed apples to the baby. You can give homemade cerelac and vegetables puree to the baby. Also give suji kheer and daal paani to the baby. Start giving formula milk to the baby. You can also give mashed idli to the baby.
Thanks and take care

#Ask expert my baby girl has started 8 months. how many times should I need to give solids to my baby. now I am giving for 2 times a day. can I start by giving 3 meals a day.