first of all - no need to mess with baby food at 8 months! most 8 month olds can eat whatever the rest of the family is eating - with a few allergen exceptions! if you use soft cooked, whole foods (sweet potatoes, avocados, soft cooked meats, beans, etc. etc.) and make sure you breastfeed first (and whenever your baby shows a need/desire) you will be well on the road to good nutrition and eating habits!
but breastmilk *is* still the main source of nutrition at 8 months, and for many babies, even at a year. as long as baby has free access to the breast and is given solid foods whenever he/she shows an interest, the baby can lead the way!
when solids replace breastmilk is when early weaning happens - the weaning *process* begins with the first bite of solid foods, but it naturally takes many months or years to complete.
consider attending a La Leche League meeting in your area - it is a great place to hear from other mothers with babies of various ages, and a variety of experiences!
from the La Leche League web site:
First foods for babies
How to start solids:
*
Nurse your baby before offering other foods. Human milk remains the single most important food in your baby's diet until his first birthday. Additionally, he is more likely to show interest in new foods if he is not ravenously hungry. At this age, other foods are more for experimentation, play and fun. Remember to offer to nurse again after the solid "meal".
*
Some babies like to sit in a high chair while others prefer to sit in somebody's lap. Babies are messy, so you may want to put an old shower curtain under his chair for easier cleanup.
*
Many babies prefer finger foods to spoons. First foods are for fun and experimentation. Neatness doesn't count!
*
Never leave a baby or young child alone with food in case they begin to choke. Never give your baby small, hard foods like peanuts or popcorn. Foods that are circular in shape such as carrots or grapes should be sliced and then halved or quartered.
*
Start with tiny amounts of food – about a quarter of a teaspoon once a day. Gradually increase the amount of food and the frequency of feeding to satisfy your baby's hunger and interest.
*
Use only single ingredients and wait about a week between introducing each new food. Then, if something upsets your baby, you will know exactly what it was.
*
To minimize the risk of allergies, it's a good idea to wait until your baby is at least a year old before introducing citrus fruits (including oranges, lemons, and grapefruit) kiwi, strawberries, peanuts and peanut butter, eggs, soy products (including soy milk and tofu), and cow's milk (including cheeses, yogurt, and ice cream). If there is a family history of food allergy, consult your doctor or allergist for advice on when to start your baby on these more-allergenic foods; it may differ from recommendations for babies without allergic history.
*
Babies under a year should not be given honey or corn syrup as they carry the risk of botulism.
Good first foods for babies
Save money and give your baby the freshest food by making your own baby food. Here are some suggestions.
Fruits
Most babies love fruits. Make sure they are ripe, and wash well before peeling. Here are some favorites:
* Bananas cut into slices which have then been halved or quartered
* Unsweetened applesauce, or tiny apple chunks that have been softened by cooking in the microwave
* Plums, peaches, pears, and apricots, gently cooked if necessary
* Avocado diced into small, bite size pieces
Vegetables
Fresh vegetables should be washed, peeled and cooked until tender. Frozen veggies are convenient to have on hand. Avoid the canned varieties to which salt has been added. Your baby may enjoy:
* Baked or boiled sweet potatoes, in tiny chunks
* Mashed white potatoes
* Baby carrots, green beans, peas and squash
Meat and fish
Babies often prefer well-cooked chicken, which is soft and easy to eat when shredded. Be careful to remove even the tiny bones when serving fish.
Beans and legumes
Remove the skins from beans as they tend to be harder to digest. If you use canned beans for convenience, make sure they are unseasoned.
Grains and cereals
Commercial, iron-fortified cereals are often the first foods served to babies who are not breastfeeding because they need the extra iron, but breastfed babies are rarely anemic as the iron in human milk is well-utilized. If there is concern about the baby's iron levels, a simple test can be done in the doctor's office.
Whole grain cereals, breads and crackers are the most nutritious. Wait until later in the year before offering wheat products. If you use cereals, make sure that they only have one ingredient and use either water or your own milk for mixing. Many mothers prefer to let their older babies chew on a hard bagel or an end of bread instead of sugary teething biscuits.