How to wean an 8-month-old infant from breastfeeding and introduce other forms of diet, such as solid foods and formula?

Weaning an 8-Month-Old from Breastfeeding

At 8 months of age, continue breastfeeding while progressively expanding solid food variety and texture, rather than abruptly stopping breastfeeding—complementary foods should have been introduced starting around 6 months with pureed, mashed, and semisolid foods, now transitioning to finger foods and family foods. 1

Timing and Approach to Weaning

• Weaning is a gradual process, not an abrupt cessation—it involves introducing complementary foods while continuing breastfeeding, with no universally mandated time when all breastfeeding must stop. 2
• At 8 months, your infant is already in the complementary feeding phase that should have begun around 6 months of age (but not before 4 months). 1
• The process should be individualized based on both mother and child readiness, and can take weeks to several months. 2

Current Dietary Recommendations for 8-Month-Olds

Solid Food Introduction and Progression

• Start with iron-rich foods as a priority, as iron deficiency is a key nutritional concern at this age. 1
• Offer soft-cooked and bite-and-dissolve textures appropriate for 8-month developmental stage. 1
• Include the following food groups daily or as often as possible:
  • Meat, poultry, fish, or eggs (high-iron animal proteins like lamb, beef, fortified cereals). 1
  • Vitamin A-rich fruits and vegetables. 1
  • Legumes for protein and dietary fiber. 1
  • Sources of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids to promote cognitive and motor development. 1
  • Dairy foods (yogurt and cheese can be introduced before 12 months). 1

Texture Progression

• Transition from pureed and mashed foods to thicker purees, then to finger foods and modified family table foods. 1
• By 8 months, offer soft-cooked vegetables, grains, and fruits in bite-sized pieces that dissolve easily to prevent choking. 1

Breastfeeding During Weaning

• Continue breastfeeding alongside complementary foods—breast milk or infant formula should continue during the complementary feeding period with amounts gradually reduced as food variety increases. 3
• There is no medical requirement to stop breastfeeding at any specific age; continuation can occur as long as mutually desired by mother and child. 2
• If choosing to reduce breastfeeding frequency, do so gradually by replacing one feeding session at a time with solid meals over weeks to months. 2

Formula Considerations (If Needed)

• If supplementing or replacing breast milk, standard infant formula is appropriate for infants under 12 months. 1
• Follow-up formulas (for children 12-23 months) are NOT recommended. 1
• Avoid cow's milk as a primary drink until after 12 months of age. 1

Introducing Potentially Allergenic Foods

• Do not delay introduction of allergenic foods (peanut products, eggs, dairy, wheat)—these should be introduced in the first year of life when developmentally ready. 1
• Allergenic foods need not be differentiated from other complementary foods and can be introduced in age-appropriate forms. 1
• For infants with severe eczema or egg allergy, consider evaluation before introducing peanut-containing foods. 1

Practical Implementation Strategy

Step-by-Step Approach:

1. Establish 3 meals per day with 1-2 snacks, offering a variety of textures and food groups. 1
2. Prioritize iron-rich foods at each meal (fortified cereals, meat, poultry, fish, legumes). 1
3. Introduce new foods as single ingredients, waiting at least 4 days before introducing another new food to observe for reactions. 1
4. Gradually reduce breastfeeding sessions by replacing them with solid meals, starting with the feeding session the infant seems least interested in. 2, 3
5. Maintain adequate hydration with small amounts of water offered with meals. 3

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Do not introduce complementary foods before 4 months or delay beyond 6 months of age. 1
• Avoid restrictive diets that eliminate entire food groups without medical indication, as this can lead to nutritional deficiencies in energy, protein, vitamins A and D, calcium, iron, and zinc. 1
• Do not use honey before 12 months due to botulism risk (general medical knowledge).
• Avoid choking hazards such as whole grapes, nuts, hard raw vegetables, or foods that don't dissolve easily. 1
• Do not delay iron-rich food introduction, as breast milk alone after 6 months is insufficient for iron needs. 1

Nutritional Monitoring

• Consultation with a registered dietitian is recommended to ensure nutritional adequacy during the weaning process, particularly if dietary restrictions are necessary. 1
• Monitor growth parameters and developmental milestones to ensure adequate nutrition. 1
• If the infant shows signs of nutritional deficiency or poor growth, seek medical evaluation promptly. 1