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 total 750 to 900 daily calories coming from milk, with the rest filled in by solid foods. This is a noticeable shift from just a few months earlier, when milk supplied nearly everything.
Daily Milk Totals at 8 Months
At 8 months, most babies drink between 24 and 32 ounces of breast milk or formula in a full day. The American Academy of Pediatrics puts the target at about 24 ounces (720 mL), which covers roughly half to two-thirds of a baby’s calorie needs at this age. Some babies will land on the higher end, especially if they’re slower to take to solids, and that’s normal as long as they’re not consistently exceeding 32 ounces.
If your baby is breastfed and you’re not measuring bottles, the general guideline is four to five nursing sessions spread across the day. Each session typically delivers 3 to 5 ounces, though output varies by feeding. Formula-fed babies are easier to track: most take four to five bottles of 5 to 7 ounces each.
How Milk and Solids Work Together
Eight months sits in the middle of a gradual handoff. At 6 months, solid food provides only about one-third of a baby’s total daily calories. By 12 months, solids flip to supply more than half. At 8 months, your baby is somewhere in between, and milk is still the nutritional anchor. Solids are increasingly important for iron, zinc, and exposure to textures, but they don’t replace milk yet.
A practical schedule looks like offering something to eat or drink every 2 to 3 hours, or about 5 to 6 times a day. That typically breaks down into three small solid meals and three to four milk feedings. Many parents find it works well to offer milk first thing in the morning, between meals, and before bed, with solids served at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Others prefer giving a small amount of milk before solids to take the edge off hunger, then finishing the solid meal. Either approach works as long as the daily totals stay in range.
Signs Your Baby Is Getting Enough
Weight gain is the most reliable indicator. By 8 months, the pace of growth has slowed compared to the early months. Many babies gain about 10 grams a day (roughly 2 to 3 ounces per week) or less after 6 months. That’s far slower than the rapid doubling that happens in the first few months, and it’s completely normal. Your pediatrician tracks this on a growth curve, and steady progress along the same percentile line matters more than hitting a specific number.
Day-to-day, look for 5 to 6 wet diapers in 24 hours, an alert and active baby during wake times, and a generally satisfied mood after feedings. Some days your baby will drink more milk and barely touch solids. Other days they’ll devour avocado and sweet potato and seem less interested in the bottle or breast. That day-to-day variation is expected. It’s the weekly pattern that counts.
When Milk Intake Is Too High or Too Low
Consistently drinking more than 32 ounces of formula per day can crowd out solid foods and lead to excess calorie intake. It can also cause iron deficiency over time, because formula (while fortified) doesn’t provide enough iron per ounce to compensate for skipping iron-rich solids entirely. Babies who fill up on milk and refuse solids past 8 or 9 months sometimes struggle with texture acceptance later.
On the other end, dropping below about 16 to 20 ounces regularly can leave gaps in fat, protein, and key vitamins. If your baby seems to be losing interest in milk but isn’t yet eating a wide variety of solid foods in meaningful amounts, it’s worth paying attention. Common reasons for a dip include teething pain, a cold, or simply being distracted by a new environment. These usually resolve within a few days.
What About Water and Other Drinks
Between 6 and 12 months, babies can have 4 to 8 ounces of plain water per day. This is mostly for practice with a cup and to help with digestion as solids increase. Water shouldn’t replace milk feedings. Juice is not recommended before 12 months, and cow’s milk as a primary drink should wait until after the first birthday. Your baby’s liquid intake at 8 months should be almost entirely breast milk or formula, with small sips of water alongside meals.