An 8-month-old typically needs about 24 ounces of breast milk or formula per day. That works out to roughly 400 to 500 of their daily calories coming from milk, with the rest filled in by solid foods. At this age, your baby is in a transition period where milk is still the nutritional backbone but solids are playing an increasingly important role.
Daily Milk Intake at 8 Months
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies between 8 and 12 months get about 24 ounces (720 mL) of breast milk or formula each day. At this age, your baby needs between 750 and 900 total calories, and roughly half of those should still come from milk. If your baby is eating more solids and consistently drinking a little less milk, that’s normal. If they’re drinking significantly less than 20 ounces or refusing milk altogether, it’s worth checking in with your pediatrician.
For bottle-fed babies, this usually breaks down to about four to six bottles spread throughout the day, with each bottle holding around 4 to 6 ounces. Breastfed babies regulate their own intake at the breast, so counting ounces is less practical. Instead, focus on the number of nursing sessions, which at 8 months is typically four to five per day.
How Solids Change the Picture
Eight months is solidly in the “learning to eat” phase. Your baby is probably handling soft finger foods, mashed textures, and thicker purees. The CDC recommends offering something to eat or drink every 2 to 3 hours, which translates to about three small meals and two to three snacks each day. As your baby eats more food at those meals, they’ll naturally take in slightly less milk per feeding. This gradual shift is exactly how it’s supposed to work.
A common mistake is replacing too much milk with solids too quickly. At 8 months, solid food is still a complement to milk, not a replacement. Think of milk as the main course and solids as practice. If your baby fills up on purees or crackers before a bottle, try offering milk first and solids about 30 minutes afterward. By 12 months, that ratio will flip, but at 8 months, milk still leads.
Water and Other Drinks
Between 6 and 12 months, babies can have small amounts of plain water: 4 to 8 ounces per day. This is especially helpful during meals with solid foods or on hot days. Use an open cup or a straw cup to help your baby practice drinking skills. Water at this age is about hydration support and cup practice, not a significant source of nutrition.
Fruit juice should be avoided entirely before age 1. The AAP recommends no juice for infants under 12 months. Juice adds sugar without the fiber of whole fruit and can displace the milk calories your baby actually needs. Cow’s milk, plant milks, and other beverages are also off the table until after the first birthday.
How to Tell Your Baby Is Getting Enough
Counting ounces is useful, but your baby’s body gives you clearer signals than any measuring cup. A well-hydrated 8-month-old will produce at least four to six wet diapers a day, have a moist mouth, and produce tears when crying. Steady weight gain along their growth curve is the most reliable indicator that total intake, both milk and solids, is on track.
Babies at this age are also good at communicating when they’ve had enough. Watch for fullness cues: pushing the bottle or food away, closing their mouth when you offer more, turning their head, or using hand motions and sounds to signal they’re done. Respecting these signals helps your baby develop healthy self-regulation around eating. Trying to push a few extra ounces past a baby who is clearly finished can create mealtime battles and override their natural sense of fullness.
When Intake Drops Suddenly
It’s common for 8-month-olds to go through phases where they drink less. Teething, mild illness, developmental leaps, and a growing interest in solid food can all temporarily reduce milk intake. A day or two of lower volume usually isn’t a concern as long as wet diaper counts stay normal and your baby seems alert and active.
Signs that warrant attention include fewer than four wet diapers in 24 hours, a sunken soft spot on the head, unusual sleepiness or irritability, and refusing both milk and solids for more than a day. Dehydration in babies can escalate quickly, so if you’re noticing several of these signs together, contact your pediatrician promptly.