Hi everyone. I’m Melissa and welcome back to Cloudmom. I’m currently giving solid foods to my 7-month-old baby Bracey. Bracey began solid foods one month ago at 6 months old. I want to walk you guys through the diet and schedule we are following, as prescribed by my doctor. This video and article are part of a series I am doing on solid foods that starts with the introduction of solids to a 6-month-old baby and continues all the way through Month 36 (when your baby turns 3!). My goal is to make feeding your baby and toddler easier, less stressful, and more relaxing for all you mamas and papas out there. Thanks for following and let’s get going!

How Often Should a 7-Month-Old Baby Eat?

Bracey is currently eating solid foods four times a day. Although some doctors recommend starting with just one solid food feeding per day at 6 months of age and working upwards from there, my doctor recommended that Bracey have three meals a day during month 6 (his first month of solids), and four meals a day during month 7 (his second month of solids).

7-Month-Old Eating Schedule

Here’s what Bracey’s feeding schedule looks like. In the morning (at around 7am), he has breastmilk. His next feeding (at around 11am) is breastmilk followed by a vegetable puree mixed with either chicken or beef. His third feeding (at around 3pm) is breastmilk followed by a fruit puree. His final feeding (at around 7pm) is breastmilk followed by a multi-grain cereal that can have gluten (during month 6, my doctor recommended only gluten-free rice or corn cereal, while in the US, doctors recommend a range of cereals from the beginning so check with yours). My doctor also advised a fourth feed at around 11pm of breastmilk mixed with oatmeal or multigrain cereal.

How Much Formula Should a Baby Drink when Eating Solids?

According to the AAP, 7-month-old babies should be consuming about 6-8 ounces (180-240ml) of formula per feeding at each of their four to five feedings a day. Pay careful attention to your baby cues. If your baby is burped, awake and rejecting more food, you can safely assume they are full and should not continue to offer them formula, provided that your doctor is happy with your baby’s growth and development.

7 Month-Old Formula-Feeding Schedule with Sleep and Solids

Here’s a schedule for a 7 month old baby who is eating solids and drinking formula. Basically, you’re feeding every four hours. If your baby is getting filled up by the bottle, try giving them just part of the bottle or try giving the solids first. In the early weeks and months, it is less stressful to give a bit of formula first because your baby will be less hungry and fussy during solid food feedings. 

• 7am – bottle. Sleep 9:30-11am. 
• 11am – bottle followed by 2-3 tablespoons of mixed vegetable puree with chicken or beef. Sleep 1:30-3pm. 
• 3pm – bottle followed by 2-3 tablespoons of mixed fruit puree. Sleep 6-7pm. 
• 7pm – bottle followed by 2-3 tablespoons of oatmeal or multigrain cereal mixed with formula. Sleep 8pm.
• 11pm – bottle followed by oatmeal or multigrain cereal mixed with formula. Right back to sleep

Best High Chair for Baby 

In my view, the best high chairs for babies are light, easy to move from kitchen to living room, easy to clean, and durable. I am not using a high chair for Bracey at this point since he is so small I prefer to hold him in my arms. If your baby is small, you can look for cushion inserts for your high chair. A high chair works similarly to a stroller: think about your family plans and if you are intending to have more than one kid, buy something that will last. My first high chair lasted me through 5 kids and I will say that by that point, it was tough to clean but that’s par for the course.

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How Much Breastmilk should a 7-Month-Old Baby Drink?

Remember that during the first year, breast milk or formula are the most important components of your baby’s diet. This takes a lot of pressure off when it comes to solids. Doctors advise that at 7 months, breastfeeding babies need to consume between 16 and 24 ounces (480-720ml) of breastmilk a day divided between 4-5 feedings, so figure 4-6 ounces (120-180ml) per feeding if you are feeding four times a day, and 3.2-4.8 ounces (96-144ml) per feeding if you are feeding 5 times a day. Babies naturally begin to make the transition from breastmilk as the primary source of nutrition to food once solids are introduced and they self-regulate based on their needs. 

Breastfeeding Changes when Starting Solids

If you find that your baby is less interested in breastfeeding upon the introduction of solids, does not seem hungry, or nurses for a significantly shorter period of time (and that your breasts feel full after feedings), don’t give up! This does not mean that your baby is finished breastfeeding, weaning, nor that your breastfeeding days are over. I went through all of this with Bracey.

Try breastfeeding your baby first, and to complete the feeding as much as possible by having your baby drain one breast before moving to the second breast (which means your baby will get as much of the more nutritious hind milk as possible). Either directly after the breastfeeding session or after a small break, give your baby some solids. If your baby does not appear hungry, wait a bit more. You’ll figure out the schedule that works for you and your baby. Be flexible with your schedule and keep prioritizing the breastmilk while making sure to fit in the solid feedings. I’ve done this with 6 babies and it’s worked for me!

7 Month Old Breastfeeding Schedule with Sleep and Solids

As described above, since you are breastfeeding, you’ll want to schedule the solids around your feeding sessions, paying careful attention to prioritize the nursing because you need the baby on your breast sucking as much as possible to ensure proper milk production. Here’s a helpful video with tips on breastfeeding a 7-month-old baby.

Should I Leave Room for Solids when Breastfeeding?

You do not need to leave room for solids while breastfeeding, nor stop your baby in the midst of a breastfeeding session to give solids. All my babies finished their breastfeeding sessions and then went on to have a solids meal.

Baby Not Interested in Solid Foods

If your baby has no interest in solids at 7 months, speak with your doctor. They might recommend spacing out the time between feedings, giving the solids first (I generally recommend giving the breast milk first since this was easier for me as a breastfeeding mom), or opting for some foods over others. 

Meal plan for a 7-Month-Old Baby

My doctor recommended the pureed foods you see below. Pureed foods are one approach and Baby Led Weaning, allowing your baby to self-feed from a variety of soft foods, is another. You can also combine pureed foods with BLW foods. Do what works best for your family. Try to opt for fresh, wholesome foods and not processed foods that are rich in salt or sugar. Babies this age should not have salt or sugar and should not be exposed to additives or unnatural foods. Snack foods like potato chips, sugary drinks, sugared yogurt, candy, cookies, cakes, crackers, and processed meats like hot dogs are not healthy for your baby. Aim to get your baby off on the right foot with great eating habits that will last a lifetime! 

7 Month Old Baby Breakfast

For breakfast, my doctor has recommended just breastmilk. If you find that your baby is up for it, you could try giving oatmeal or multigrain cereal mixed with breastmilk for breakfast. 

7-Month-Old Baby Lunch

For lunch, my doctor has recommended a vegetable puree with beef or chicken. The puree includes carrots, zucchini, green beans, and squash. You can give pretty much any vegetables you like. Try to only use fresh vegetables.   

7-Month-Old Baby Snack Ideas

For snack, my doctor has recommended a fresh fruit puree. We add banana, apple, pear, and peach. You can add pretty much any fruits you like. Just make sure there is no skin (as with blueberries). Seven-month-old babies are not ready for grapes, which are large and can pose a choking hazard. My doctor also told me I could give yogurt for the afternoon snack. 

7-Month-Old Baby Dinner

Given the robust two meals Bracey is getting between lunch and snack, for dinner my doctor recommended mixing oatmeal or multigrain cereal with breastmilk.

7-Month-Old Feeding Schedule with Solids and Breastfeeding

So with all that said, here’s Bracey’s schedule and a summary of his diet at 7 months. The amounts below comply with American guidelines. If your baby still appears to want more food, keep feeding them until they appear satiated.
7am — sleep 9:30-11am.
11am – breastmilk then ½ cup of mixed vegetable puree with chicken or beef. Sleep 1:30-3pm.
3pm — breastmilk then ½ cup of mixed fruit puree. Sleep 6-7pm.
7pm — breastmilk then ½ cup multigrain or oatmeal cereal mixed with breastmilk. Sleep 8:30-11pm.
11pm — breastmilk (the “top off feed”) mixed with multigrain or oatmeal cereal. Sleep at 11:30pm.

How do I Combine Breastfeeding with Solids? 

Alot of parents will ask themselves “Should I give milk before solids or after?” My biggest tip when combining breastfeeding and solids, as explained above, is to give the milk first, especially with the first morning feed. When you feed this way, you make sure your baby gets sufficient breast milk, which is the cornerstone and most important aspect of your baby’s nutrition until 12 months of age, and you make sure to consistently stimulate your breasts to produce breast milk, which is a must with breastfeeding Then, you can wait a bit and sit down for a solids meal.

How you time the solids is up to you. Do what works with your schedule. Remember that at this age solids serve as a complement to your baby’s milk feedings. Your baby is discovering tastes and textures and practicing how to eat. They might eat quite small quantities. Go over what your baby is eating with your doctor and if your doctor is not stressed over the whole thing, try not to get stressed out either! 

Can a 7-Month-Old Eat Chicken?

My doctor said that Bracey could eat chicken as of day 1, so Bracey began eating chicken during Month 6. We boil the chicken and put it in the blender with other vegetables. Your baby should not eat chicken from the bone (which is a choking hazard), tough pieces of chicken that are difficult to chew, nor chicken skin. They should eat pureed chicken or thin strips of very soft, easy to chew chicken.

Can a 7-Month-Old Eat Beef?

My doctor said that Bracey could eat beef as of month 7, so Bracey began beef this month. Your baby should not steak from the bone (which is a choking hazard), nor any meat with skin. They should eat pureed beef or, if you are following the Baby Led Weaning approach, your baby can eat crumbled-up hamburger meat.

Can a 7-Month-Old Eat Tofu?

My doctor said that Bracey could eat tofu as of month 7, so Bracey began tofu this month. Cut the tofu into small pieces or puree it with other foods.

Can a 7-Month-Old Eat Eggs?

In most countries, doctors say that eggs are fine as of 6 months of age. Make sure the eggs are well cooked. You can hard boil an egg and slice it up, or you can scramble eggs (just make sure to cook them thoroughly). You can also add grated cheese to scrambled eggs. 

Can a 7-Month-Old Drink Water?

By 6 months of age, you can give your baby small sips of water. As you are breastfeeding or giving formula, you do not need to give water but you can. Try not to give juice since water and fresh fruit are better alternatives. Juice tends to have a lot of sugar and less fiber than fresh fruit.

Should I Give my Baby a Sippy Cup, an Open Cup, or a Straw Cup?

The AAP recommends introducing a cup at the 6 month mark with the goal of transitioning your baby away from the bottle by 12-18 months of age. There is significant debate regarding the benefits of sippy cups, with some experts claiming that babies should be encouraged to sip versus suck. For that reason, many resources recommend an open cup or a cup with a straw.

I did not introduce a sippy cup to Bracey at 6 months because I was struggling with nipple confusion and trying to get Bracey off the bottle and onto the breast! Instead, I gave Bracey small sips of water from a regular glass cup that I securely held. If you are giving your baby a cup for them to hold, opt for a safe plastic like silicone. 

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Can a 7-Month-Old Eat Finger Foods?

If you are following the Baby Led Weaning (BLW) approach, you can give your baby long thin slices of very soft food. Opt for foods that are rich in protein, iron, fat, Vitamin C, and other essential nutrients, and steer clear of choking hazards. Never leave your baby unattended during meals. 

Baby Led Weaning Diet for 7 Month-Old Baby

Here’s a good list of foods for a 7-Month Old Baby who is following a Baby Led Weaning (BLW) diet. The general rule with Baby Led Weaning foods is to cut them into strips the length of an adult pinky finger. Baby Led Weaning finger foods should be squashed between baby’s fingers or mashed or pureed and placed onto a spoon. 

Protein Baby Finger Foods 

Well-cooked thin chicken slice (no bones or skin)

Hamburger meat 

Tofu cubes

Dairy Baby Finger Foods

Scrambled eggs (cook well) (place on spoon)

Grated or thin, chopped cheese 

Yogurt

Vegetable Finger Foods for Baby (all should be extremely soft)

Broccoli 

Carrots 

Zucchini 

Squash   

Avocado slices 

Soft green beans 

Fruit Finger Foods for Baby (make sure extremely soft and mashable)

Banana slices 

Clementine slices 

Strawberry slices (soft and thin)

Pear slices 

Peach slices

Mango slices (make sure very soft) 

Can a 7-Month-Old Eat Peanuts or Peanut Butter?

If your family has a history of peanut allergies, your doctor might be recommending introducing peanut butter in order to prevent allergies. If so, spread a very thin amount of peanut butter onto a lightly-toasted, soft slice of bread and cut it into cubes.

When Can Babies Have Ice Cream?

Although ice cream can be a good source of calcium and Vitamin D, it is not recommended that babies consume processed sugar. The CDC recommends waiting until 24 months to introduce ice cream to your child. When you do, give ice cream in small quantities and opt for natural brands and simple flavors with less sugar. 

Thanks so much for following. Best of luck with your 7-month-old and see you back soon on Cloudmom!