By Min On
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Here is a master list of healthy AND easy baby led weaning meals that the ENTIRE family can enjoy together! These are all great finger foods and can be enjoyed as soon as your baby is ready for solid food.
Jump to:
- Delicious Baby-Led Weaning Recipes
- Helpful Baby Led Weaning Resources
- Tips for Building Baby Meals
- Baby-Led Weaning Breakfast Ideas
- BLW Lunch Ideas
- Baby Led Weaning Dinner Ideas
- BLW Vegetables
- Bab-Led Weaning Fruits
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Baby Led Weaning Meal Plan
Delicious Baby-Led Weaning Recipes
If you are struggling to find meal ideas for your baby that are easy and quick to make, look no further. You have come to the right place!
All of these recipes contain a short list of ingredients that are easily accessible and require minimal effort, so you can save that time and energy to spend with your baby!
And you do NOT have to cook separate meals for your baby and the rest of the family. I say baby meals, but these recipes are suitable for 1 year old and beyond!
When you click on all the recipes shared below, you will find visuals as well as suggestions on how to modify and serve to your baby.
Helpful Baby Led Weaning Resources
Here are some in-depth resources to help guide you in exposing your baby to a wide variety of flavors and textures while ensuring that they get the nutrition they need to grow and thrive.
- Purees Vs. Baby Led Weaning
- How to start baby led weaning
- Best First Foods for Baby Led Weaning
- Top iron rich foods for babies
- Top foods for 8 month old baby
- Finger Food Ideas for baby
- Healthy Baby Snacks
Tips for Building Baby Meals
- Here is everything you need to know to build a well-balanced plate.
- Always follow your baby's lead.
- Your baby may still be doing a lot of playing and throwing at this point, and that’s ok. They are still learning to self feed and it’s a skill that takes A LOT of practice. So be consistent and patient. Stick to your mealtime schedule and eat alongside your baby so they can watch and learn from you.
- If your baby doesn’t eat much during mealtime, you can offer a little bit of breastmilk/formula afterwards.
- Less is more when starting solids. It's tempting to fill their plates with all kinds of nutritious foods, but that can really overwhelm and intimidate your baby. Start with 2-3 pieces of finger foods or a small portion of mixed foods, and offer more if your baby seems interested.
- As your baby gets older, you will probably start to notice their typical eating pattern and you can plate accordingly.
- It's important to expose them to a wide variety of flavors and textures during the first year BUT this doesn't mean you have to offer something different every single day. Embrace the leftovers and try to change 1-2 things. For instance, if you served lentils with peanut butter and banana one day, try lentils with leftover vegetables the next day.
- While it’s our natural tendency to focus solely on the food, I want to encourage you to consider the joy and adventure that comes from exploring all the different foods, which is such an awesome thing to teach your child!
Baby-Led Weaning Breakfast Ideas
Many of the popular breakfast foods are oftentimes loaded with sugar and lack the nutrients that babies need. You will be pleased to find that all of these recipes are super EASY to whip up and are made only with wholesome ingredients that are easy to find.
They are great finger foods and so flavorful that your whole family will enjoy starting the day on the right foot!
And here are some real-life examples of breakfast plates broken down by age.
3 Ingredient Baby Cookies
3 ingredients are all you need to make these soft and delicious vegan banana oatmeal cookies. They are the perfect breakfast or snack for babies!
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Healthy Baked Strawberry Oatmeal
Super easy to make, this healthy baked oatmeal recipe with juicy strawberries and bananas is the perfect make ahead breakfast or snack for the whole family!
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Vegan Baked Apple Oatmeal
This one pan baked apple oatmeal is so easy to make with 6 ingredients. It is egg-free and dairy-free and can be made ahead of time.
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Banana Overnight Oats
These banana overnight oats are a perfect make ahead breakfast or snack option for babies, kids, and adults alike!
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Eggless Pancakes
These eggless pancakes are proof that you can have a light and fluffy breakfast treat without the eggs! Not only are they easy to make, but they're also versatile
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Baked Peach Oatmeal (No Sugar Added)
Here's a super easy make ahead breakfast for the whole family - Baked Peach Oatmeal! It is a healthy and delicious way to start the morning!
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Strawberry banana pancakes
Made with simple, healthy ingredients, these strawberry banana pancakes are light, fluffy, and delicious! They contain no added sugar and are a delicious breakfast for the whole family!
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Healthy Carrot Banana Muffins
These banana carrot muffins are perfectly moist, healthy, and flavorful! Made with all natural ingredients, they are a great breakfast that even your baby and toddler can enjoy!
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Baked Breakfast Quinoa with Zucchini
This vegan quinoa bake with zucchini is a delicious way to serve quinoa to babies and kids. It's also an easy opportunity to add variety to their breakfast or snack!
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Homemade Baby Oatmeal
Learn how to cook the perfect oatmeal for baby. It's easy, fast, and customizable! Serve as is or as a finger food, baby led weaning style.
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Vegetable Omelette
Nutritious and easy to make, this baby-friendly omelette made with whatever veggies you have on hand is the perfect breakfast/snack for babies and toddlers!
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Soft Scrambled Eggs for Baby
Here's how to make soft and fluffy scrambled eggs every time as well as fun variations to incorporate more variety into your child's diet!
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Easy Quinoa Baby Cereal (4 Ways)
Making homemade baby cereal or porridge is SO easy and inexpensive! If you've only been serving rice or oat-based cereals, give this iron-rich quinoa version a try!
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Healthy Pumpkin Banana Bread
Made with healthy ingredients, this moist pumpkin banana bread has all the warm pumpkin flavor with just the right amount of sweetness.
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Healthy Zucchini Oatmeal Cookies
These zucchini oatmeal cookies are so easy to make with wholesome, minimal ingredients and no added sugar!
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Healthy Blueberry Muffins for Babies
These blueberry baby muffins are sweetened with fruits only and loaded with nutrition! They're soft and moist, making them perfect for babies
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Savory Baked Oatmeal with Vegetables
This savory baked oatmeal is so easy to make and a great way to enjoy vegetables for breakfast! Perfect for baby led weaning and lunchboxes.
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Moist Spinach Muffins
These healthy spinach muffins with banana are fluffy and moist in texture and packed with nutrition. They are perfect for babies and kids.
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Spinach Pancakes
These spinach pancakes are super easy to make with just a handful of wholesome ingredients. These dye free green pancakes are the perfect finger food for babies and toddlers, especially!
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3 Ingredient Banana Oat Pancakes
Made in a blender with simple ingredients, these banana pancakes for babies and toddlers make for a delicious and filling snack or meal. Fluffy and moist, if you are looking for a baby led weaning pancakes recipe, this is it!
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Vegetable Waffles with Peanut Butter
EASY to make, healthy peanut butter vegetable waffles for babies and kids! A great way to enjoy more protein, fat, and veggies for breakfast.
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Savory French toast
This savory vegetable French toast or eggy bread is an EASY and fun way to use up leftovers. Suitable for babies 6 months and up!
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Single Serve Chia Puddings for Babies and Kids
Single serve chia seed pudding for babies 6 months and up is the perfect make ahead breakfast or snack that you can whip up in under 5 minutes!
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Peanut Butter Chickpea Cookies
Made without flour and sugar, these peanut butter chickpea cookies are so easy to make with just 5 ingredients.
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BLW Lunch Ideas
Here are some healthy recipes that can be enjoyed at home or packed for daycare.
Quinoa Wraps (Tortillas)
Made with just quinoa and chia seeds, these healthy quinoa wraps are a delightful addition to any meal, from tacos and burritos to a tasty treat for kids.
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Lentils for babies
Get all your burning questions about serving lentils to your baby answered. Here are tips and EASY recipes to boost your baby's iron levels.
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Pizza quesadilla
Try this healthy pizza quesadilla that's super EASY to whip up. 15 minutes to make, perfect for lunch or dinner, and suitable for babies and kids.
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Chickpea Patties (gluten free)
These flavorful chickpea patties with quinoa are easy to make with simple pantry staples. Shape them into patties or even nuggets
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Mini crustless quiche
Packed with protein and vegetables, this mini crustless quiche is so easy to make! Enjoy as a make-ahead breakfast, snack, or pack for lunch boxes.
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English muffin pizza (with vegetables)
English muffin pizza is a super fun and delicious way to encourage even the pickiest eater to eat their vegetables! And if you're looking for a safe and healthy baby pizza recipe, step right up!
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Vegan vegetable quinoa muffins
Made with healthy ingredients like broccoli, carrots, and quinoa, these egg and dairy-free vegetable muffins with quinoa are perfect for baby led weaning and school lunchboxes.
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Lentil Wraps
It's ridiculously easy to make high-protein, gluten-free, and vegan lentil wraps or tortillas at home! While you only need 2 ingredients, there are so many ways to customize the fillings and flavors.
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Baked Veggie Nuggets
These baked veggie nuggets are an easy and fun way to get more vegetables into your child's diet! Made with four vegetables, they are perfect for lunch or snack!
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Healthy Pumpkin Oatmeal Bars
These pumpkin oatmeal bars are high in protein and low in sugar. Moist and packed with the flavors of fall, enjoy them as a delicious no fuss breakfast or snack!
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Chicken pesto flatbread pizza
This pesto flatbread pizza is the perfect busy weekday meal! It can be on the table in under 20 minutes with minimal effort and ingredients.
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Turkey Meatballs with rice
These oven bakedkid-friendly turkey and rice meatballs are the perfect iron-rich finger food for your baby, children of all ages, and adults!
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Easy baked shrimp cakes
Super juicy and tender, these baked Asian shrimp cakes are baby and kid-friendly! Of course, the adults can enjoy them too.
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Healthy Baby Meatballs
These baby meatballs are made with just 5 simple ingredients and are egg free and dairy free. Tender and flavorful, these are perfect for baby led weaning, toddlers, and the whole family.
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Baked Quinoa and Mushroom Beef Meatballs
baked meatballs made with ground beef, mushroom, and quinoa. It's the ultimate comfort food that can be enjoyed as is or with pasta, vegetables, salads
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rice porridge for babies
Super easy to make, this beef and vegetable rice porridge for babies is easy-to-digest, nutritious, and suitable for 6 months and up.
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Mini Baked Canned Salmon Patties
These mini baked salmon patties with canned salmon are packed with vegetables and full of flavor! Perfect for baby led weaning!
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Instant Pot Mashed Sweet Potatoes
This instant pot mashed sweet potatoes will make for an EASY side dish at Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any meal! It's also a healthy baby food.
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Mini Shepherd's Pie Muffins
A quick and easy, baby and kid-friendly twist on an Irish classic comfort food, these mini shepherd pie muffins are filled with beef, vegetables and topped with creamy mashed potatoes
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Baby Led Weaning Dinner Ideas
Between milk feedings and solid food, it can feel like the whole day revolves around food. Before you can even catch a breath, it's eating time. Again.
My hope is that these simple recipes will ease your load. And the best part is you only have to make ONE meal for the whole family with slight modifications for your baby. Let me show you how!
Carrot and Lentil Soup
This carrot and lentil soup tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen but only takes 30 minutes to make! It's hearty, nutritious, and super flavorful.
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Easy Bolognese with Vegetables
This kid-friendly veggie-loaded meat sauce with ground beef and medley of vegetables is hearty, filling, and nutritious!
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Creamy Broccoli Pasta
In need of an easy weeknight dinner? 15 minutes is all it takes to make this healthy one pot creamy broccoli pasta
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Slow Cooker Thai Chicken Lentil Curry
A cozy, hearty meal is what I promise with this Thai chicken and lentil curry recipe! Made with a few kitchen staples, it's a healthy and EASY dinner perfect for the whole family.
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Healthy Turkey Sloppy Joes
Made with lean beef, vegetables, and a super easy homemade sauce with pumpkin, this quick and easy meal can be on your table in 30 minutes!
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Pizza Casserole with Couscous
this pizza casserole is not only quick and easy to make but also nutritious, with ingredients like chicken, whole wheat couscous, and spinach!
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Butternut Squash Curry with chickpeas
Bursting with flavor, this creamy butternut squash curry with chickpeas is the ultimate comfort food. It's seriously the perfect one pot weeknight meal.
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One Pot Curried Chicken and Carrot Couscous
This easy, 30 minute curried couscous is the perfect busy weeknight meal made with simple pantry ingredients.
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Vegetarian Sweet Potato Lasagna with Quinoa
This vegetarian sweet potato lasagna with quinoa requires no boiling of noodles andassembly couldn't be easier!
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Pressure Cooker Steak Fajitas
Super juicy and flavorful, this pressure cooker steak fajitas recipe for babies and kids is perfect for busy weeknights.
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Easy Stuffed Shells with Meat
These stuffed shells with ground beef and vegetables are a hearty make ahead dinner or freezer meal for the whole family to enjoy!
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One Pot Parmesan Pumpkin Quinoa
This fall inspired ultimate comfort meal, one pot parmesan pumpkin quinoa, is super easy to make, healthy, and delicious! It’s vegetarian, naturally gluten free and makes for a perfect weekday meal.
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Chicken Spinach Quinoa Casserole
A baby and kid-friendly comfort meal you don't want to miss! This chicken spinach quinoa casserole with black beans is super easy to make and loaded with iron and protein.
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Slow Cooker Lentil Chili with Chickpeas
Thick and hearty, this vegetarian slow cooker chickpea lentil chili is sure to keep your baby and child happy and nourished. It's also an incredibly iron-rich meal!
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Vegan Chickpea Cauliflower Soup
Super EASY to make using pantry ingredients, this creamy chickpea soup with cauliflower is the perfect soup for babies and kids.
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Instant Pot Peanut Chicken and Broccoli
Another EASY, 30 minute weeknight meal you can enjoy with your baby and kids! This Instant pot chicken and broccoli is also a great way to continue exposing your child to one of the top food allergens, peanuts.
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Creamy Sweet Potato Sauce
This baby and kid-friendly sweet potato sauce is EASY to whip up and can be enjoyed with pasta, grains, or as a dip for crackers and vegetables. It's great alternative to tomato-based sauces.
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Iron-rich baby pasta
A baby pasta recipe that is loaded with iron and vegetables!
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Poached cod with creamy orzo
Poached cod with creamy orzo is an easy, 30 minute one pot recipe! It’s a delicious fish and pasta dish for babies, kids, and adults.
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Korean radish soup
A healthy and easy to digest soup for your baby! This Korean radish soup is especially great to serve during times of illness, teething and constipation.
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Homemade Hamburger Helper
This homemade hamburger helper is the perfect meal that the whole family can enjoy. Made with ground beef, veggies, and pantry staples, it is oh so hearty, comforting, and guaranteed to be on your table in 30 minutes or less!
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Skillet Cabbage Lasagna
This easy cabbage lasagna serves as delicious and unique alternative to traditional noodle-based lasagna, and the best part is that it can be prepared entirely in a skillet.
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Instant Pot Korean Chicken and Potatoes
If you're in need of a quick and easy weeknight family meal, here's an Instant Pot Korean chicken and potatoes recipe that everyone, including babies, will enjoy!
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Orange Sesame Chicken with Vegetables
a healthy Asian chicken recipe that’s low in sodium, this skillet orange sesame chicken with vegetables is perfect for babies and the family.
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Baby-Friendly Korean Bulgogi
This baby-friendly Korean bulgogi is easy to make and perfect for your baby, toddler, and family! If you’re looking for a baby led weaning recipe and healthy kid friendly meal on a budget, make this today!
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Vegan African Peanut Stew
This vegan African peanut stew is rich and flavorful and uses staple pantry ingredients. Made in one pot, requires minimal prep work, loaded with nutrition - It's an easy family meal!
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No stir Quinoa Risotto with Mushrooms
This 30 minute mushroom quinotto or quinoa risotto is much easier to make compared to traditional risotto and requires zero stirring!
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BLW Vegetables
Here are super in-depth posts on how to prepare and serve these nutritious, finger-friendly vegetables to your baby.
And here are some easy veggie-loaded BLW recipes all in one place!
Broccoli for baby led weaning
Broccoli is the perfect first food for babies! There are so many ways to prepare it for baby led weaning. Let me show you how!
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How to Cook Carrots for Babies
Carrots are the perfect finger food for babies. Here's how to cook it as well as serving suggestions for 6 months and up.
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How to Cook Sweet Potatoes for Babies
Sweet potato is the perfect first food for babies. Here's how to cook it as well as serving suggestions for 6 months and up.
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How to Cook Zucchini for Babbies
Zucchini, also known as courgette, is a versatile and healthy vegetable for babies. Here is everything you need to know to serve it in a way that is safe and delicious.
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How to Cook Beetroot (3 Easy Methods)
Serve beetroots to your baby with ease and confidence following these cooking tips, serving suggestions, and healthy recipes!
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How to Cook Cauliflower for Babies
Cauliflower is a wonderful first food for babies! Here's how to cook and serve it to your baby along with easy and nutritious recipes for 6 months and up.
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How to cook butternut squash for babies
Butternut squash is an amazing first food for babies. Here's how to cook it as well as serving suggestions for 6 months and up.
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Pumpkin Puree for Babies
Pumpkin is an amazing first food for babies. Serve this nutritious food to your baby with ease and confidence by using these cooking and serving tips and recipes.
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How to Cook Spaghetti Squash
Spaghetti squash is such a fun and delicious food to introduce to your baby! Here's how to prepare and serve to babies 6 months and up.
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How to cook cabbage for babies
Serve cabbage to your baby with ease and confidence by using these cooking and serving tips and recipes.
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How to Cook Frozen Green Beans
Here's how to cook frozen green beans so they’re crisp-tender, not mushy! Made with minimal ingredients and little effort, this is an easy side dish for those busy weeknights.
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Bab-Led Weaning Fruits
There are so many delicious fruits that you can serve to your baby, and here's how! And if you heard that you should introduce vegetables before fruits, that is simply not true. Here is what research says about fruits vs. vegetables when it comes to feedinng your baby.
Apples for Babies
Learn how to safely prepare and serve apple to babies as early as 6 months! You can puree or offer as a finger food for baby led weaning.
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Pear Hummus for Babies and Kids
Here's how to safely prepare and serve pear to babies 6 months and up! You can puree or offer as a finger food for baby led weaning.
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Mango for babies
Made with no added sugar, this mango chia seed jam is perfect for babies 6 months and up.
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How to Cook Tomatoes for Babies
Tomatoes are the perfect finger food for babies. Here's how to cook and serve to your baby along with plenty of recipes.
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Avocado for Babies
Serve avocado to your baby with ease and confidence using these tips and easy recipes - avocado baby puree, mashed, as a finger food and more!
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Peach Puree
Learn how to safely prepare and serve peach to babies as early as 6 months! You can puree or offer as a finger food for baby led weaning.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many meals should a baby eat a day?
When your baby is ready to start solids, start with one meal per day. Food at this age is mostly for exploration and learning. Give them plenty of space to explore in a way that feels comfortable to them.
This stage is also for building structure and routine around mealtimes along with breastmilk/formula.
By 8 months, your baby should be eating at least 2 meals a day, working towards 3 meals by 9-10 months.There is no need for snacks until after 1.
How much should a baby eat at each meal?
It truly depends on your baby! Babies are born with an innate ability to self-regulate and only they know how much they need to eat. And this includes small babies as well.
And as frustrating and concerned you may be, the best thing you can do is to resist the urge to take over and force your baby to eat a certain amount. By doing so, you are derailing their incredible ability to eat when hungry and stop when full. Not to mention, your mealtimes will most likely turn into a battleground.
Instead, continue offering well-balanced meals and follow your baby's lead, always! Trust your baby. They truly do know how much they need to continue growing.
But is my baby really eating enough?
Prioritize milk feedings and consistently offer well-balanced meals that will help meet their nutritional needs.
If your baby is growing, following theirunique growth curve, and happy, they are eating the amount of food that’s RIGHT for them, even if it’s less or more than the recommendations or what you think they need to be eating.
Baby Led Weaning Meal Plan
If you are feeling confused and overwhelmed by what foods to serve, how to prepare foods so they are safe, how to introduce allergens and a wide variety of foods, how to adapt family meals so you don't spend hours slaving away in the kitchen making two separate meals every.single.day, and on and on...
My3 month programwill save you time, energy, money, and sanity!
I’ve done all the hard work for you so all you need to do is follow the daily and weekly game plan andwatch the cooking demosfor EVERY.SINGLE.MEAL you will make for 3 months. By doing so you’ll be able to serve all the meals you see here plus 130+ effortlessly!
I’ve also heard from so many parents that an unexpected benefit to following this program for their baby was that it encouraged their older fussy eater(s) to start trying new foods and expanding their food choices.
I’ve done all the hard work for you so all you need to do is follow the daily and weekly game plan andwatch the cooking demosfor EVERY.SINGLE.MEAL you will make for 3 months. By doing so you’ll be able to serve all the meals you see here plus 130+ effortlessly!
I’ve also heard from so many parents that an unexpected benefit to following this program for their baby was that it encouraged their older fussy eater(s) to start trying new foods and expanding their food choices.
Do you want to minimize picky eating and set a solid foundation for a lifetime of healthy eating habits?
Check out this 3 month mastering self-feeding program! It’s the closest thing to me being in your kitchen
Find out more!
More Baby/Kid-Friendly Recipes
- Homemade Cheese Crackers
- Carrot Oatmeal Cookies (Easy and Healthy)
- Easy Vegetarian Pasta Sauces
- Carrot Hummus
About Min
Thank you so much for stopping by! I am Min, a Registered Dietitian, a Christ follower, a wife, and a mom to our two miracle babies! Currently, I’m having a ton of fun feeding their tummies and sharing our baby led weaning journey! Follow me on Instagram if interested in seeing daily menu as well as tips and tricks.
