Introducing Snacks at 8–9 Months: Why It Matters!

Author: Tessa Scott, registered Nutritionist and Naturopath

As your baby hits the exciting 8–9 month milestone, you’ll notice some incredible new skills emerging. From learning to chew to mastering the pincer grasp, their world—and their mealtimes—are expanding fast! While breastmilk or formula and main meals are still the backbone of your baby’s nutrition, this is the perfect time to introduce small, nutritious snacks.

Here’s why introducing snacks around 8–9 months can be a game changer for your baby’s development:

• Your baby’s pincer grasp is developing

  At this age, babies are starting to pick up smaller bits of food between their thumb and forefinger—this is called the pincer grasp. It’s a vital fine motor skill that makes self-feeding easier and more enjoyable.

  
  

• Their first little teeth are coming in

  Those adorable baby teeth are often making their debut around this time, which means your baby is ready to explore new textures beyond smooth purées.

  
  

• They’re craving independence

  Food is one of the first ways babies can start to assert their independence. Giving them the chance to explore different foods, tastes, and textures helps nurture their confidence and curiosity.

Why snacks matter at this stage:

1. Fuel for growth and development

   Babies grow at lightning speed in their first year, with iron needs peaking between 6–12 months. Snacks can help fill these nutritional gaps, especially if they include iron-rich choices like eggs or meat patties.

   
   

2. Support fine motor skills

   Finger foods give your baby plenty of practice using those developing hands, helping refine coordination and dexterity.

   
   

3. Boost chewing skills

   Even if your baby only has a few teeth, soft finger foods encourage them to practise moving food around their mouth and biting. Chewing is a skill that needs to be built and practiced, helping overall oral motor development!

   
   

4. Build positive eating habits early

   Snacks are a great opportunity to introduce a variety of healthy, minimally processed foods. This shapes your baby’s taste preferences and supports lifelong healthy eating patterns.

   
   

5. Set up a smooth transition to toddler eating

   As your baby approaches one year, they’ll move toward three meals plus two snacks a day. Starting to offer small, nutritious snacks now makes that transition seamless.

Great first snack ideas:

Here are some nutritious, easy-to-hold snacks to get you started:

• Soft steamed veggies (broccoli florets, carrot sticks, sweet potato wedges)

• Avocado slices or mashed avocado

• Iron-rich finger foods, like mini egg muffins or soft meat patties

• Unsweetened yoghurt (served on a loaded spoon) or hummus

• Small pieces of soft cheese (grated works really well)

• Baby-friendly pikelets (low or no added sugar)

• Chia puddings

• Ripe, soft fruit pieces like banana, mango, or pear

Hot tip: Keep added sugar and salt to an absolute minimum at this age. Babies’ taste buds are developing rapidly, and offering lots of vegetables and less processed food now helps set a foundation for healthy eating in years to come.

It’s more than just nutrition

Remember, offering snacks isn’t just about filling tummies. It’s about giving your baby a chance to explore, get messy, and follow their own hunger cues. Let them take the lead—this helps build a positive relationship with food and encourages them to listen to their own appetite. Research shows that responsive feeding like this can help reduce food fussiness down the track.

A gentle reminder

Every baby is different. Some will love snacks straight away, while others may take a little longer to show interest. That’s completely normal. Follow your baby’s cues, trust your instincts, and enjoy this fun, sometimes messy, stage of introducing snacks together.

Tessa is the Resident Nutritionist here at Little Dreamers. To book in a consultation with Tessa click here.

Tessa and I have also co-written a nutrition eBook called Little Eaters to educate and support you with the knowledge you need to nourish and nurture your baby in the first few years. The eBook is available for purchase via the Little Dreamers website - click here to grab a copy!