In BLW, you offer your baby healthy finger foods, but it’s up to them to choose what and how to eat. They’re also the ones who put the food in their mouths and decide when to stop eating. The AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) recommends offering your little one variety when eating solid foods. You don’t need to follow a certain order, but you can offer options from different food groups. (1) To choose which of these recipes to prepare, you might wonder what foods to start with for baby-led weaning and what finger foods you can give them. You might also be asking questions like: “Can I also give purées in BLW?” “Can babies eat eggs?” “Is peanut butter okay for babies?” You can find our answers to these questions below, plus some yummy BLW recipes for you to try.
How Many Times A Day Should You Do Baby Led Weaning?
In BLW, it’s important to follow your baby’s lead. But Dr. Gill Rapley, BLW pioneer, advocates shared family meals as part of this feeding approach. (2) While you shouldn’t force your child to eat if they don’t want to, you can schedule their mealtimes so they can be with the whole family. Or you can also adjust the family’s mealtime schedule if that’s possible. Babies around six months old might eat just one meal a day. Depending on their cues, you can increase the frequency to two meals a day. It might happen when they’re around 8-9 months. Some babies might be ready for meals three times a day, similar to the family’s schedule, beginning at 10 months. Of course, these aren’t absolute rules. You can let your baby decide when they’re ready for more meals.
What Foods Should I Start With For Baby-Led Weaning?
Some parents might prefer to start baby-led weaning with simple finger foods, including sliced options like avocados, bananas, and eggs. You can even offer purée to your child, but instead of spoon-feeding, you can let your child dip their fingers or cut foods into it. We also have some recipes for purées below. Still, there’s no specific order in introducing foods in BLW. You can opt to give your baby meatballs as one of their first foods if you want. But always make sure to ask your pediatrician’s recommendations before giving your baby solid foods. It’s especially important if your child is under six months of age or may have food allergies. Also, it’s important to check if your baby is ready for solid foods and how you can prepare for BLW. You can learn more about these from our BLW guide.
What Finger Foods Can I Give My 6-Month-Old?
In baby-led weaning, babies can eat finger foods from day one. But always ensure you’re offering them soft foods with low choking risks. Some examples are the following:
Avocado spears, with or without coating Hard-boiled egg slices Banana spears with hemp seeds
You can find more yummy ideas in our article on baby finger foods.
When Can Babies Eat Eggs?
Experts recommend the early introduction (at around six months of age) to common allergens such as eggs, peanuts, and milk to lower the risk of developing food allergies. (3) Be sure to ask your pediatrician or doctor before introducing your baby to these allergens.
Is Peanut Butter OK For Babies?
Thick, chunky peanut butter can be a choking hazard, but you can make it thinner by adding breast milk or formula. Although peanut butter has a lower choking risk than whole peanuts, both can trigger an allergic reaction. Unless your doctor gives the go-signal for early allergen introduction, avoid peanuts and peanut butter.
Is Bread OK For Baby-Led Weaning?
Yes, you can offer your child bread in BLW. You can opt for bread made from whole grains as a healthier option. But be careful with bread and other baked products because these can contain gluten, milk, and eggs, which are common allergens. Avoid bread and these products if your child might react to these allergy triggers. Check the label for these allergens. You can opt for gluten-free bread, or you can make homemade bread instead. Check out the recipes we recommend for your baby below. Our article on BLW foods by age can help you cut some of the ingredients in these recipes into appropriate sizes.
Super-Easy Baby-Led Weaning Foods
Avocado Slices (With Or Without Coating)
Ingredients
One ripe avocado 1 tsp lemon or other citrus fruit juice
Preparation Instructions Tip: You can also leave some of the peelings at the bottom of the sliced avocado to act as a less slippery handle for them to hold.
Hard-Boiled Egg with Sprinkles
Ingredients
One large egg, preferably organic Extra-virgin olive oil Sprinkles – hemp seeds, cheese crumbs, or gluten-free bread crumbs
Preparation Instructions Tip: You can also opt to cook several eggs at once. Potential allergen alert: eggs. You can check with your pediatrician for early allergen introduction, but avoid eggs if your baby has known allergies.
Banana Strips With Sprinkles
Ingredients
One ripe banana Sprinkles such as 1 tsp of hemp seeds or finely ground peanuts (for coating)
Preparation Instructions Tip: Gluten-free bread crumbs or spices like cumin and cinnamon can also work as toppings. Do not introduce peanuts until you’ve got the green light from your pediatrician.
Avocado Toast
Ingredients
One half of a ripe avocado Bread slices (free from gluten, honey, added sugar, and nuts) Other toppings, including hard-boiled egg sliced into small pieces
Preparation Instructions Potential allergen alert: eggs (optional ingredient). You can check with your pediatrician for early allergen introduction, but avoid if your baby has known allergies.
Roasted Sweet Potato Wedges
Ingredients
Two large sweet potatoes 1 tbsp coconut oil 1 tbsp gluten-free flour 2 tbsp Parmesan cheese (optional)
Preparation Instructions Potential allergen alert: Parmesan cheese (but it’s optional); you can try topping with almond ricotta for a dairy-free alternative.
Meat & Veggies
Meat And Pea Fritters
Ingredients
½ cup ground meat 1 cup frozen green peas Two eggs, preferably organic ½ cup gluten-free flour (almond flour or oat flour) 4.4 oz feta cheese (or almond ricotta for a dairy-free alternative) 1 tbsp lemon juice A handful of mint leaves A handful of spinach leaves A handful of cilantro (aka coriander) leaves Coconut oil for frying
Preparation Instructions Tip: You can also choose other vegetables and legumes, such as minced zucchini, lentils, quinoa, and carrots.
Chicken, Apples, And Veggies Hash
Ingredients
One fresh apple (medium or large), peeled and cut into strips or diced One medium sweet potato, peeled and diced One medium zucchini or eggplant, diced One piece of skinless and boneless chicken breast, cut into strips 2 cups water or homemade chicken broth, cooked without salt (or just a pinch of salt) A pinch of cinnamon
Preparation Instructions
Cook the sliced chicken breast in a saucepan with chicken broth or water. Simmer for 10 minutes (low heat). Add the sweet potato and apple. Simmer for another 10 minutes. Add the eggplant or zucchini. Simmer for another five minutes or until the chicken breast and vegetables are soft. You can chop the chicken and veggies further before serving.
Cool this dish before serving your baby. Another way to serve this dish is to turn it into a purée. Put the cooked dish (cooled) in a food processor. Blend until your desired consistency.
Meat & Vegetable Purée
Ingredients
1 lb chicken or meat, preferably organic, grass-fed, or free-range 1 cup sweet potatoes 1 cup spinach 1 cup broccoli 1 tsp salt (but you can add more to taste) Bone broth 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (not cooked) or 2 tbsp organic, cultured grass-fed ghee
Preparation Instructions Tip: Grass-fed meat and poultry sourced from organic farms can be a good choice.
Healthy Veggie Recipes
Yummy Veg Burger Patties
Ingredients
One or two pieces of sweet potatoes One small carrot, grated One leek, chopped 1 tbsp chia seeds 3 tbsp water 3 tbsp olive oil ½ cup brown mushrooms, chopped ¼ cup red pepper, chopped ¼ cup cheese (or almond ricotta for a dairy-free alternative) ¼ cup gluten-free breadcrumbs 1 tsp soy sauce Flour for coating
Preparation Instructions Potential allergen alert: soy, gluten. Avoid soy sauce if your baby has known allergies to soy. Soy sauce also contains gluten, so if you’re following a gluten-free diet opt for tamari or coconut aminos instead.
Avocado, Beets, and Butternut Squash Mix
Ingredients
1 cup beets 1 cup butternut squash One ripe avocado
Preparation Instructions Tips: There are several ways to serve these cooked veggies:
Purée in a food processor. Let your baby dip their fingers in this blend or use it as a dip for their finger foods. Another way is to arrange them in a bowl for your child to choose from.
Grain-Free BLW Recipes
BLW Salad
Ingredients
½ cup cucumber sticks ½ cup broccoli florets ½ cup green beans ½ cup chopped tomatoes 1 tsp lemon juice ½ tsp EVOO (extra virgin olive oil) One hard-boiled egg, quartered
Preparation Instructions Potential allergen alert: eggs. You can ask your pediatrician about early allergen introduction.
Egg And Spinach Cups
Ingredients
Six large eggs, preferably organic 2 oz milk (breast milk, formula, or dairy-free alternative) Six cherry tomatoes or one regular tomato A handful of spinach One red bell pepper, minced 1 tsp coconut oil
Preparation Instructions Tip: You can also add cheese or other toppings, but check first if your child is allergic to these added ingredients. Potential allergen alert: eggs and cheese (optional). You can avoid these ingredients if your baby has known allergies.
Baby-Led Weaning Breakfast Ideas
Baby’s First Egg Omelet
Ingredients
Two eggs, preferably organic 2 tbsp pre-cooked veggie or meat strips 2 tbsp water 2 tbsp coconut oil
Preparation Instructions Tip: You can cook the egg separately. Serve it with the veggies or meat on your baby’s food tray. Potential allergen alert: eggs. If your baby has known food allergies, avoid this ingredient unless your physician recommends an early allergen introduction.
Toast with Banana Toppings
Ingredients
One ripe banana One slice of gluten-free bread
Preparation Instructions You can also choose other fun toppings for your baby’s toast. Examples can include sweet potato, avocado, and nut butter (not chunky or too sticky).
Dairy-Free BLW Recipes
Butternut Squash Pancakes
Ingredients
1 cup butternut squash purée 1 cup gluten-free flour (such as almond or buckwheat flour) 2 tsp baking powder 1 cup coconut or almond milk 2 tbsp melted unsalted coconut butter A small sprig of fresh rosemary (optional) Olive oil or coconut oil for frying One egg (preferably organic, but leave out for an egg-free meal)
Preparation Instructions Potential allergen alert: eggs, soy, or almond. Avoid these ingredients if your baby has known food allergies. Check first with your pediatrician before giving it to your baby.
Low-Sugar BLW Treats
Mango, Carrot & Apple Popsicles
Ingredients
One small, ripe mango One small carrot 1.7 oz homemade apple juice
Preparation Instructions
Banana Blueberry Waffles
Two ripe bananas One egg, preferably organic ½ cup blueberries 1 cup milk (breastmilk, formula, or dairy-free option like almond milk) ¼ cup rolled oats 1 cup gluten-free flour 1 tsp baking powder 1 tsp ground cinnamon 1 tsp vanilla extract 1½ tbsp oil
Preparation Instructions Potential allergen alert: eggs, milk, or almond milk. You can ask your pediatrician for their recommendation on early allergen introduction.
Strawberry Oatmeal
Ingredients ½ cup dry rolled oats ½ cup organic strawberries (fresh or frozen) 1 cup water or milk (breastmilk, formula, dairy-free milk, etc.) Preparation Instructions Other ingredients you can try: smashed blueberry and slices of kiwi or pineapples.
Egg-Free BLW Recipes
You can convert some of the recipes above into an egg-free dish by using mashed banana or applesauce.
Sweetcorn & Spinach Fritters
Ingredients
One cup cooked sweetcorn, drained One ripe banana (mashed) or ½ cup applesauce A handful of spinach ⅓ cup plain flour (or gluten free flour) ½ tsp baking powder 1.7 oz almond milk, formula, or breastmilk 1 tsp avocado oil for frying
Preparation Instructions
Baked Goodies
Apple, Banana, and Carrot Muffins
Ingredients
One medium-sized ripe apple One small carrot One small, ripe banana Two eggs, preferably organic 1¼ cup gluten-free flour ⅓ cup coconut oil (optional) 1½ tsp baking powder 1 tsp vanilla
Preparation Instructions Potential allergen alert: eggs. If your baby has known food allergies, avoid this ingredient unless your physician recommends an early allergen introduction.
Purées & Dips
Black Bean Purée
Ingredients
½ to 1 cup black beans 2-3 tbsp of breast milk, baby formula, or water Cumin
Preparation Instructions Tip: Use fewer liquids for a thicker purée.
Baby-Friendly Guacamole Recipe
Ingredients
One or two ripe avocados 1 tsp lemon juice 1 tsp minced coriander 10-12 pcs cherry tomatoes, minced 1 tbsp olive oil or coconut oil
Preparation Instructions A food processor can blend these ingredients for smooth, creamy guacamole. Your baby might love having guacamole as a dip for their chicken, meat, or veg slices. But be sure to cook these finger foods until tender before offering them to your baby to avoid choking hazards. REFERENCES (1) https://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/infantandtoddlernutrition/foods-and-drinks/when-to-introduce-solid-foods.html (2) http://www.rapleyweaning.com/assets/Defining_BLW_v2.pdf (3) https://www.foodallergy.org/resources/early-introduction-other-top-allergens
