Complementary feeding · 7–8 months

Baby meals for moving beyond smooth purées

At this stage, continue varying the taste and increase the texture from finely crushed to coarser, according to your baby's ability. Continue serving foods rich in nutrients and responsive to the baby's signals.

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Sources reviewed for clarity: 26 July 2026

Homemade complementary foods with rice porridge, cooked fish, vegetables, banana and soft sweet potato — Serving inspiration only; adapt size and texture to your child's skills.

Who it is for

Feeding stage

Babies who are used to early food and are able to manage the texture of mashed food

Texture

Serving style

Coarsely crushed, thick mash, and very soft pieces that crumble easily

Meal timing

A flexible rhythm

Main meals 2–3 times a day, following the needs and guidelines of health workers

Important

Safety first

Eating development is not always the same. Don't force the texture up if the baby isn't able to, but don't hold down the smooth texture for longer without reason; discuss persistent eating difficulties with a health professional.

5 original meals

Ideas ready for a practical meal plan

Soft rice with tofu, egg and chayote

Ingredients: 3 tablespoons cooked rice, 25 g tofu, 1/2 egg, 2 tablespoons chayote, 130 ml water, and 1 teaspoon oil.
Method: Cook rice and pumpkin until soft. Add the tofu and beaten egg, cook until the egg is completely cooked, then press with a fork until mashed.
How to serve: Leave small granules that are very soft if the baby can handle them.
Allergens: Contains egg and soy.

Mackerel, tempeh and tomato porridge

Ingredients: 3 tablespoons rice, 20 g cooked mackerel, 15 g tempeh, 1 tablespoon tomatoes, water and 1 teaspoon oil.
Method: Steam the fish and tempeh until cooked. Remove the fish bones, cook with rice and tomatoes, then mash without making it too runny.
How to serve: Crush the tempeh until there are no hard pieces and check the fish twice for bones.
Allergens: Contains fish and soy.

Mashed beef, potato and long beans

Ingredients: 20 g minced meat, 40 g potatoes, 1 tbsp very finely chopped long beans, water and 1 tsp oil.
Method: Cook the meat until cooked, add potatoes and long beans, then boil until easily crushed. Press with a fork and mix in enough liquid.
How to serve: Discard the tough string beans and make sure all the pieces crumble easily between two fingers.
Allergens: Does not contain major allergens without additional ingredients.

Chicken, corn and spinach porridge

Ingredients: 3 tablespoons rice, 20 g chicken, 1 tablespoon ground corn, 1 tablespoon spinach, water and 1 teaspoon oil.
Method: Cook the chicken until cooked, add rice and corn, then spinach at the end. Mash until the corn husks don't form separate hard pieces.
How to serve: Use ground or filtered corn; whole grains of corn are a choking risk.
Allergens: Does not contain major allergens if other ingredients are not added.

Coconut oats with banana and egg

Ingredients: 2 tablespoons oats, 1/2 ripe banana, 1/2 egg, 100 ml water, and 1 tablespoon coconut milk without added sugar.
Method: Cook the oats with water, add the eggs while stirring until cooked, then add the coconut milk and mashed banana. Cook again for a moment.
How to serve: Use coconut milk for flavor and energy, not as a substitute for breast milk or formula.
Allergens: Contains eggs; oats may contain gluten due to cross-contamination, depending on the product.

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Before you start

Preparation that makes the week easier

1
Gradually increase the texture: from blender to fork mashed, then to very finely chopped when baby is ready.
2
Serve animal protein or other appropriate sources of protein each day, varying the type to keep flavours interesting.
3
Sit the baby upright, put away screens and toys, and stay with them throughout feeding time.

Health and safety

General inspiration, not an individual medical recipe

Complementary foods generally begin at around 6 months once readiness signs appear. Increase variety and consistency with the child's skills, respond to hunger and fullness cues, and supervise every meal.

Avoid honey before 12 months, whole nuts for children under 5, hard or round foods, and added salt or sugar in baby food. Introduce allergens one at a time in small amounts; seek individual advice for allergies, severe eczema, prematurity, growth concerns or swallowing difficulties.

Related ingredients

Keep going with ingredients you already have

TofuSee 5 ingredient ideas →TempehSee 5 ingredient ideas →Long beansSee 5 ingredient ideas →MackerelSee 5 ingredient ideas →

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference in texture at 6 months and 7–8 months?

There are no rigid boundaries. In general, babies who are capable can switch from finely ground to coarser mashed and very soft foods so that oral skills continue to develop.

Is it OK to give finger food?

Some babies around 8 months old are able to hold soft food. Make sure the shape, size and softness suit the baby's skills and always supervise it.

Does every meal have to include rice?

No. Safely processed sweet potatoes, potatoes, oats, corn, and other carbohydrate sources can be used interchangeably with protein, vegetables, and fat.

What if the baby rejects the new texture?

Go back one step if necessary, offer again at another opportunity, and don't force it. Seek professional help if coughing, choking, or difficulty swallowing occurs repeatedly.

Ideas for another stage or time of day

Official sources

What this guidance is based on

CookClip wrote every menu idea from scratch. Age, texture, allergen and safety notes are based on the official sources below.

WHO: Complementary feedingStarting at around 6 months, meal frequency, varied textures, family foods and responsive feeding.
Indonesian Ministry of Health: Complementary-feeding recipesTimely, safe, adequate and varied complementary feeding based on everyday ingredients.
NHS: Your baby's first solid foodsReadiness signs, texture progression, responsive feeding and supervision.
NHS: Foods and drinks to avoidHoney, salt, whole nuts, selected raw foods and drinks to avoid.
CDC: Choking hazardsShape, size, texture, seated posture and supervision to reduce choking risk.

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