There are a lot of baby-led weaning starter foods you can prepare for your little one, and you might feel overwhelmed with this. Some of you also worry about how to give them food that is easy for them to hold and, at the same time, control the amount of food they take.
Worry no more because we got you. Here are some tips to guide you along the journey of this feeding approach for your baby.
How to Make Baby-Led Weaning (BLW) Foods Easier to Hold for Your Baby
- First, ensure that your highchair is ready and that the straps and footrest are adjustable when needed.
- Have a bottle of water and a bib ready beside your baby.
- Choose one food to start with, and ensure that the foods are soft enough to squish between your fingers. Here is a list containing some breakfast ideas you can give for a 6-month-old baby:
- Scrambled egg
- Sweet Potato wedges
- Tofu
- Oatmeal
- Chicken
- Apple wedges
- Melon slices
- Banana slices
- Toast sticks with mashed avocado
- After ensuring that all the food you choose is soft enough, you can cut it into two to three strips. The strips should be about the size of two adult fingers.
- Prepare the finished food on a sectioned plate. After making sure that your baby is aiming for the food on the plate, you can serve it in the high chair. This is a sign that your baby is now ready to start eating solid foods.
- Observe closely and note the food your baby is eager to eat.
- Make sure that your baby is comfortable holding the foods you prepared. Take note that if your baby is uncomfortable while holding the food, you might want to cut it into much smaller cubes first. It’s okay, so don’t rush the process—as long as your baby is now happily eating while holding the food, you have already achieved a big thing.
How much should a baby eat for breakfast?
The amount of food that your baby needs depends on the changes made by their appetite. Babies tend to self-regulate their food intake based on how much their body needs, so it is a good thing to observe them closely every day.
Since BLW are suitable for six months, two sample meals for breakfast are recommended for them. But again, this depends on how much their body needs. Here are some signs to watch out for when your baby is already full:
- Turns or nods their head away
- Refuses or avoid another bite after they have swallowed
- Playing with the utensils rather than eating
- Leaning back in their chair numerous times
11 Breakfast Ideas for Your Little One
Waking up and starting a day must be important, even for your babies. To ensure that everything will fall into its perfect place every day, we should prepare a healthy breakfast for your baby. To add up, there are plenty of ways to make these healthy breakfast meals more enjoyable and pleasing.
Before listing down the different breakfast ideas for your baby, we should remember that there will always be a picky eater.
Here’s the trick: prepare a meal and serve it to them twice or thrice a week. Since babies are fond of having an expected routine for their food, they will not hesitate to eat what you prepared for them. They love the familiarity of their food, so we should prepare what they will expect to have for breakfast.
- Roasted vegetables
Courtesy of Taste
Babies need veggies in their meals, and no one can stop us from preparing them. Roasting veggies helps highlight the sweetness found in them, thus increasing the babies’ appetite. Roasting also helps smoothen and soften the texture of the veggies, making it easy for the babies to self-feeding.
Here is the list of veggies that are recommendable to roast:
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Green beans
- Eggplant
- Sweet Potatoes
- Asparagus
- Brussels
- A snack plate
Courtesy Mom to Mom Nutrition
You can find every baby on the internet eating this kind of meal. This snack plate is ideal for breakfast, and all the meal time your baby will need. You can put different snacks on your baby’s plate – all in one meal. You can combine the following:
- Cereal
- A small amount of cheese
- Egg
- Sliced fruits
- Crackers
For a more appealing look: you can also put little sprinkles on top of your eggs to make them exciting to eat. You can also form your eggs by using different egg mold shapers.
- Overnight oats
Courtesy of 360 Family Nutrition
When talking about nutritious and healthy breakfast, one of them is oats. Oats consist of a balanced mix of probiotics, well-packed protein, fiber, healthy fats, and vitamin C – making it a good, fulfilling breakfast for your baby. Oats have a smoother texture compared to other meals, making them an ideal food for your baby, especially if they are still transitioning to solid food.
It is also easy to make, and the ingredients are easy to prepare. The ingredients are:
- Plain and unsweetened yogurt
- Applesauce
- Chia seeds for additional healthy fats and protein
- Quick oats
For the procedure, just stir and mix well all the ingredients together. After this, put it in a small airtight container and leave it in the fridge overnight. This will be served in a smooth texture, and your baby will not find it hard to chew. Overnight oats will save you a lot of time first thing in the morning!
- Healthy Pancakes
Courtesy of Yummy Toddler Food
Pancakes are also an ideal meal for breakfast, and what makes it perfect is that you can mix portions of fruits (and even vegetables) inside it, and not even your baby will notice it!
This recipe is also the same as how you make your pancake. You’ll just have to think of what healthy ingredients you want to mix with your batter. For more substantial, more nutritional suggestions, here are some additional flavor ingredients that you may want to try on:
- Chia seeds
- Rolled oats
- Banana, blueberries
- Mashed sweet potato
- Spinach
Your baby will love this different type of pancake and serve it twice a week. This will make them familiar with this healthier pancake, and they might want to look forward to it as their little one grows up.
- Healthy Waffles
Courtesy of Busy Little Kiddies
These waffles are the same as pancakes because you can stuff healthy ingredients into them while cooking them.
This recipe is also the same as how you make your waffle. For healthier alternatives, here are some additional flavor ingredients that you may want to try on:
- Whole wheat flour (for more fiber and protein)
- Cottage cheese
This is a healthier version of a waffle; you can make it at home in a mini or bigger size. You can also make a dip out of unsweetened yogurt or prepare it with a slice of a fruit of your choice. Having a small portion of egg beside the waffle is also great!
- Nutritious Mini Muffins
Courtesy of MomJunction
Like the pancake and waffle, why not try a healthier version of muffins like the pancake and waffle? Starting from the muffin recipe, add your preferred vegetables, and do not forget the cheese. Just make sure that the veggies you chose are still easy to chew for your baby, and great examples of these are:
- Grated carrot
- Shredded squash
- Minced broccoli
- Roasted sweet potatoes
- Snipped spinach
- Finely chopped mushrooms
- Finely chopped bell pepper
This is a much higher level of preparing a healthy breakfast meal for your baby. This muffin version already holds a lot of protein and vitamin A to make your baby healthier and happier.
- Fruity Chia Seed Pudding
Courtesy of Healthy Little Foodies
If you would want to focus on fruits and serve them in a perfect breakfast meal for your baby, then say no more. Here are the ingredients for the pudding:
- Coconut Milk
- Banana
- Berries (or other fruits you prefer)
- Chia seeds
Your baby will enjoy the creaminess and fruity taste of this pudding. It is not only that, this pudding contains fiber, iron, calcium, and protein. This also holds healthy fatty acids that will balance the nutrients your baby needs.
- Mini Veggie Cookies
Courtesy of Veggie Desserts
You read it right. Why not turn your cookies into a fun, healthier baked goodie? I can feel the excitement when you imagine how you sneak some veggies and fruits into your cookies. Start mixing your ingredients for your cookies and add these up:
- Grated carrot
- Grated apple
- Mashed banana
And do not forget the whole wheat flour! This type of flour will ensure that your baby has a high amount of healthy oats in his body. Imagine that you have the power to sneak nutritious ingredients to all the picky eaters out there, so use it often.
- Easy Chewy Granola
Courtesy of Yummy Toddler Food
We are still not done with oats. Granolas are known for their simple recipe of combining oats, seeds, applesauce, oil, and other spices. Ingredients that are needed here are:
- Rolled oats
- Sesame seeds
- Applesauce
- Neutral oil
- Cinnamon
- Vanilla extract
- Honey syrup
Remember to thoroughly chop seeds (if it comes in whole) to ensure your baby’s safety. You could also soften the granola once it’s finished with yogurt or milk and let it stir for minutes. You can also grind the granola using a food processor to produce it as granola sprinkles.
- Healthy Strawberry Yogurt (Drinkable Version)
Courtesy of Yummy Toddler Food
This drink will finish off your little one’s healthy breakfast. This yogurt version can have probiotics and protein—just in one drink.
This yummy, flavorful drink has a lot of nutrients, such as calcium, protein, fiber, and vitamin C.
This is also perfect for your baby since this smoothie has a finer texture and is a great way to start learning how to love yogurt. The ingredients are:
- Whole-milk plain yogurt
- Strawberries
- Maple syrup or honey
- Cauliflower florets (if you want a veggie on it)
- Hemp seeds (for additional protein and healthy fats)
Make sure you blend the strawberries and yogurt until it reaches its super smooth texture. This smoothie will go perfectly with any recipe found above.
Golden tip: Always remember to take note of the size and portion of the meal you will prepare for your baby. Make sure to list down the amount of serving and the amount of the nutrients found in the meal to balance the healthier breakfast for your baby. You can also use different shapes, cutters, and molders for the food that you would prepare to increase the aesthetic look of the food further. Enjoy preparing!
When should I give my baby breakfast?
Always start feeding your baby at the earliest sign of hunger possible. Even if they are transitioning to this new feeding method, they still need the nutrition that breast milk gives.
Since most babies wake at 6-7 am, they must first drink their morning formula. By 8 am, they might get hungry already, and now is the perfect time to eat breakfast. But this is only a guide, and the ideal time for your baby to get breakfast still depends on when they feel hungry.
So it is always good to observe their daily routine and take note of the changes they made in their routine. In this way, you will know how to know when your baby will get hungry – it might be earlier or later as a new day passes.
FAQs on the Best First Foods for Your Baby
What can I feed my baby for breakfast?
The ideal breakfast meal for your baby is cereal, which should be topped with fruit. You can also mash ripe pears or bananas. You can also feed them a healthier version, such as muffins, waffles, and pancakes with hints of veggies and fruits.
Healthy overnight oats are also perfect; you can make them in a smaller granola bar. It is also best to have a small amount of egg and cheese on their snack plate to balance their nutrient intake.
What can you feed a 5-month-old for breakfast?
You can start them with a whole ancient grain baby cereal. This is ideal for them since cereal is made for babies. They can also now try different mashed fruits and vegetables, and of the well-known is avocado.
The puree is also suitable for them, whether an avocado or a pea. Pureed fruits such as apples are great, and mixing them with mashed squash will be better.
What can you feed a 6-month-old for breakfast?
Baby cereal with whole-grain oats is an ideal breakfast for a 5-month-old baby. This is a vital source of iron, which is excellent for your little one. You can also give them soft, easy-to-chew vegetables (such as sweet potatoes, squash, carrots, peas, and green beans) to familiarize them with vegetables as early as now. You can also serve them with pureed fruits.
What can you feed a 7-month-old for breakfast?
They can be served with unsweetened yogurt and mashed fruits such as peaches, mango, and banana. You can also serve them with oatmeal cereal and side fruits on it. Small cuts and sizes of waffles, pancakes, and muffins are also preferable. A small portion of soft scrambled egg is also appropriate for them.
What can you feed an 8-month-old for breakfast?
They can now be served with mashed vegetables and fruits. Slowly transition them from puree to mashed vegetables and fruits. They can also take soft scrambled eggs now and shredded cubed cheese. You can also make them try cottage cheese with a bit of cinnamon and diced strawberries. Unsweetened yogurt is also advisable for this age.
What can I give my 9-month-old for breakfast?
Your baby is nine months of age, and it is time for them to eat and explore different foods from all formed food groups. They can now grab small, soft pieces of finger foods. But always observe them and ensure they can comfortably digest this small food. They can now eat waffle strips and oatmeal cereal.
What can a 10-month-old eat for breakfast?
Now is the time for a more challenging meal plan. You can now let your baby explore even thicker vegetables. They should now be familiar with scrambled eggs, cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, and avocado. Do not forget to serve them with diced fruits and vegetables. Whole grain crackers or a biscuit good for teething is also highly advisable.
What three meals should a baby eat?
Babies 8 to 10 months old must eat a mixture of soft-finger foods, mashed or diced foods, and starchy foods. Soft-finger foods include crackers and cheese. Mashed or diced foods must always be fruits and vegetables. For starchy foods, you can serve them with baby breadsticks, oats, and baby rice.
Is banana OK for baby breakfast?
Yes, bananas are perfect for babies since it is one of the first foods that should be introduced to them. Bananas are easy to eat because you can smash them, and they are smooth, making them easy to digest. It is also full of nutrients, such as vitamins and minerals. It can also be mixed easily with rice cereal and is a natural sweetener.
Is yogurt OK for breakfast for a baby?
Yogurt is suitable for 6-month-old babies and older ones. It’s better to introduce this to your baby once he is old. Yogurt is good for them as long as you read the nutrition labels. Also, make sure to look closely at your baby because your baby might have an allergic reaction to it.
What time should my baby eat breakfast?
8 am is the ideal time for you to serve your baby breakfast. Most of them wake up at 6 to 7 am, so it is time for their bottle feed, and by the time of 8 am or earlier, they might get hungry already.
But babies are different, and their eating habits may change from time to time. This should only be served as a guide; the proper time will depend on your observation of the frequent time your baby gets hungry in the morning.
