Setting a schedule for your baby depends on their individual pattern of sleeping, eating and playing. With time you will be able to make out the needs of your baby and then able to work out a routine.
However, it is still quite helpful to gain information from other parents. In this article some sample 7-8 month baby schedule such as 7 month old feeding schedule are described based on the personal experience of parents. It is also better for you to know the tips to better raise your kid at this stage.
What Does a 7-8 Month Old Baby Need?
Following are some points that should be kept in mind while creating a schedule for a 7-8 month old baby:
- Feeding. Your baby will now need solid foods at least twice or thrice daily in addition to 24-32 ounces of either breast milk or formula milk during a 24 hour period. During this period both the amount and the variety of the baby’s foods should be increased. You can also introduce finger foods and a sipper to your baby.
- Sleep. Your baby will need at least 14 hours of sleep during a 24 hour period including both nighttime sleep and day naps. It is typical for babies to have two naps (morning and afternoon) during the day.
- Other activities. Your baby will also need time to play and interact with you and will work on new skills such as babbling and rolling over.
7-8 Month Baby Schedule
Sample Schedule 1: Parent-led Routine
Note: This is a 7 month old feeding schedule and eating schedule from a working mother:
5 a.m.: Nurse the baby and change his clothes and diaper. Then it is time for the parents to get ready for work.
6:45 a.m.: Nurse the baby and drive him to daycare
7:30 a.m.: Baby does breakfast at daycare, which consists of: 2 ounces of breast milk with cereal and 2 ounces of fruit.
9 to 10 a.m.: Time for morning nap
11 a.m.: Mother pumps milk at work. It is time for the baby to have his lunch, which consists of 4 ounces of breast milk and baby food (2 ounces each of meat and veggies and 4 ounces of fruit)
1 to 2:30 p.m.: Time for afternoon nap
3 p.m.: Snack time, which consists of: 2 ounces of fruit and finger foods
3:30 p.m.: Mother picks the baby from daycare and nurses him. Both mother and baby play once they get home
5:45 p.m.: It is dinner time, which consists of: cereal along with 2 ounces of veggies and 2-4 ounces of fruit
7 p.m.: Baby is given bath and massage. He is nursed, read a book, and sung lullabies.
7:30 p.m.: Baby goes to sleep
Baby usually wakes up in between 2 and 3:30 a.m. to nurse
Sample Schedule 2: Baby-led Routine
Note: This is a schedule of a stay-at home breastfeeding mother of a 7 month old
8 a.m.: Baby wakes up. It’s time to nurse the baby
8:15 to 9:30 a.m.: Baby plays while mother prepares breakfast, reads to the baby and gets herself ready
Between 9:30 to 10:00 till 11:00 a.m.: Baby takes a nap for about 45 minutes
11 a.m.: Baby nurses, plays with his toys, rolls and tries to crawl on his blanket
11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Baby takes a nap
12:30 p.m.: Baby takes his lunch, which consists of: 2 ounces of breast milk mixed with 3 tbsp cereal, baby food (a jar of fruit), and water in a sipper. After lunch mother reads a story. Mother and baby dance and sing with music and meet friends
2 or 2:30 to 3 p.m.: Baby takes a nap
3 p.m.: Baby is nursed
3:15 to 5 p.m.: It is playtime and stroller walk time for the baby. Mother also performs her errands
5 p.m.: Baby takes his dinner, which consists of: 2 ounces of milk mixed with 3 tbsp cereal, baby food (a jar of veggies) and water in a sipper
5:30 p.m.: Baby takes a nap while the mother tries to fix a simple dinner for herself
6:30 to 7 p.m.: Baby takes a bath. While bathing mother and baby plays “Where’s Baby?” with a bath towel and baby enjoys it
7:15 p.m.: Baby is nursed
7:30 p.m.: It is bedtime for the baby
10 p.m.: Baby is nursed
3:30 a.m.: Baby is nursed
8:00 a.m.: Baby wakes up and a new day’s routine starts
Developmental Milestones for 7-8 Month old
The various baby milestones of 7-8 months baby will have a huge impact on 7-8 month baby schedule:
1. Motor Skill Development
Babies at this age are gaining strength. They will try to stand up holding a chair or sofa. Most of the babies start crawling by this age. At this stage babies start to pair up their motor skills with their senses. They will try to manipulate toys such as tossing a ball, banging blocks etc. The baby’s pincer grasp (using finger and thumb to pick small objects) is well developed at this stage.
Warning: However, the baby will put everything that they pick in their mouth; hence, you should ensure that small pieces of toys or other objects are not lying within reach of your baby. Remember that anything that can fit inside a tube of toilet paper is enough to cause choking in your baby.
2. Sleep Schedule
By this time most of the babies tend to sleep around 13 to 14 hours per day. This includes nighttime sleep and two naps-one in the morning and one in the afternoon.
3. Eating Habits
Babies of this age need at least 24 to 32 ounces of either breast milk or formula milk along with a variety of solid foods such as baby cereal, veggies and fruits and meats (mashed and pureed). You can also add finger foods as your baby’s chewing skills and pincer grasp have developed by now. You can cut foods into bite-sized pieces and then give them to your baby. However, ensure to not leave your baby unattended during mealtimes.
4. Communication Skills
At this stage babies start to develop a stronger sense of self and are more awareness of their surroundings. They start anticipating daily routines. She will understand her likes and dislikes. She will start understanding the meanings of some of the basic words and you may be able to make sense of the babbles they have been making.
Tips for Taking Care of Your 7-8 Month Old Baby
- You should baby proof your house as your baby will start crawling at this stage. Lock away things that are in reach of your baby such as cosmetics, cleaning liquids, poisons or any other small objects that are choking hazard. Ensure that no cords are hanging from the electrical appliances.
- Avoid switching on the TV for your baby as according to the Academy of Pediatrics, babies should not watch TV until they are 2 years old. Singing, reading and talking to your baby are better ways to entertain your baby at this stage.
Watch a video to learn more about baby development during 7-8 month and what you should do to ensure safety:
