15 Baby Led Weaning Recipe Ideas (2024)

15 Baby Led Weaning Recipe Ideas (1)

When our little guy turned 6 months, we knew that we wanted to get started with solid foods. While we didn’t follow traditional baby led weaning, we started out with purees (here are some of our favorite purees!) and then slowly moved to finger foods!

Today, we’re sharing some of our favorite simple, easy-to-make (no complicated recipes here) baby led weaning recipe ideas to get started with finger foods! These have been staples for us during this phase and we love that they can all be converted to adult variations as well. We know that you and your little one will LOVE these easy ideas!

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15 Baby Led Weaning Recipe Ideas (2)

1. Steamed carrots, apples, and chicken

The first thing you’ll need is a baby food steamer, like this one! We promise it makes life a million times easier during this phase. Cut the carrots and apples into small cubes (or long sticks), then steam for about 10-15 minutes. Bake or cook the chicken, then tear off little pieces of the soft part for your little one. Feel free to serve with rice or quinoa as well!

2. Cod, peas, and asparagus

Cod is a great source of healthy protein for your little one! Combine baked fish with steamed peas and asparagus (cut into small pieces), and you have a great meal for baby!

Pro-tip: Use plates and bowls with suction to keep your little one from throwing their dishes on the floor!

3. Yogurt, blueberries, and peaches

Giving your little one yogurt can seem intimidating. And yes, it will definitely get messy! But yogurt is a great source of calcium and protein, so it can be a great addition to your baby’s meals. Cut blueberries into halves (or quarters), cut peaches into small bite-sized cubes, and top them with little drops of plain yogurt. Your baby will love this meal!

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4. Avocado pasta sauce with whole grain pasta and steamed veggies

This recipe is as easy as it comes and is perfect for both parents and baby! Try making this delicious 10-Minute Avocado Pasta Sauce and pouring it over whole grain fettuccine (or elbows). Cut the pasta into small pieces for baby and serve with steamed, soft veggies!

5. Eggs, beans, and asparagus

Scrambled eggs, soft cooked beans, and steamed asparagus (cut into small cubes) makes for a healthy and delicious lunch or dinner recipe!

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6. Whole wheat toast, almond butter, and blueberries

This is a great breakfast or snack recipe! Top half of a slice of whole wheat toast with a little bit of almond butter, then cut into small pieces. Serve with blueberry halves or quarters!

7. Salmon, avocado, and steamed cabbage

Love tacos but want to make a baby-friendly version? Make these Salmon Tacos for yourself and give your baby the baked salmon (without the salt/pepper), fresh avocado (cut into small cubes), and steamed cabbage!

8. Healthy banana pancakes

We love pancakes for breakfast! And so does our little one. These 10-Minute Healthy Banana Pancakes are great for keeping on hand for quick breakfasts throughout the week!

9. Avocado, tomatoes, and whole wheat toast

Love Avocado Toast? Make a variation of it for your little one! Fresh avocado and tomatoes cut into small cubes served with soft, whole wheat bread torn into small pieces. So yummy!

10. Salmon, broccoli, and rice

Baked salmon, steamed broccoli, and cooked rice make for a complete meal. Try out this Easy Baked Teriyaki Salmon recipe for the adult version!

11. Turkey meatballs, steamed spinach, and rice

Make a baby-friendly version of this Turkey Swedish Meatballs recipe by creating the meatballs and cutting them into small, soft little bites! Serve with lightly steamed spinach and cooked rice.

12. Tofu scramble, quinoa, avocado, and steamed sweet potato

Tofu is a great source of protein for your baby. Create this Tofu Scramble recipe without the salt and pepper, then serve with cooked quinoa, fresh cubed avocado, and steamed sweet potato!

13. Wholesome peach muffins

We love making these Wholesome Peach Muffins in advance and having them on hand throughout the week! Your little one will love this easy recipe for delicious breakfasts and snacks.

14. Avocado egg salad on whole wheat toast

This Avocado Egg Salad recipe is loaded with nutrients and healthy protein! Make this without salt and pepper for your little one, then serve with soft, whole wheat bread (torn into small pieces).

15. Steamed sweet potato, black beans, and eggs

Steamed sweet potato, cooked black beans, and scrambled eggs are a staple in our household. Add these to a spinach salad to make a healthy adult version of this meal!

Disclaimer: Please note that some of the links in this post are affiliate links and I will earn a commission if you purchase through those links. These are products that I know, trust, and love!

15 Baby Led Weaning Recipe Ideas (2024)

FAQs

How small should a 15 month old cut food? ›

12-18 months old

Cut into small pieces (perfect for utensil practice!) Soft and large so the child has to take bites, such as a whole ripe banana. Sliced or shredded. Cook resistive foods requiring a lot of chewing until soft or serve in ruler-thin slices, shreds, or diced.

Can I start baby-led weaning at 15 months? ›

Popular in the U.K. and gaining traction in the U.S., baby-led weaning is a practice where babies 6 months old or older jump straight to finger foods as soon as solids are introduced, bypassing purées and mashed-up foods.

How many meals should a baby eat during led weaning? ›

BLW may begin around 6 months, when the baby shows signs of readiness such as sitting up independently, loss of tongue thrust reflex, mouthing toys, and showing interest in table foods. To start BLW, ensure readiness and begin with one solid meal a day during family mealtime.

What food is best for baby-led weaning? ›

You can start weaning with single vegetables and fruits – try blended, mashed, or soft cooked sticks of parsnip, broccoli, potato, yam, sweet potato, carrot, apple or pear. You could also try baby rice mixed with your baby's usual milk.

What should a 15-month-old be eating? ›

Continue to give your 15-month-old three meals and two snacks per day. Give them a daily variety of foods in all food groups—vegetables, fruits, grains, protein and dairy. Doctors say most toddlers need approximately 1,000 calories per day—give or take—or about 40 calories for each inch of their height.

Can 15 month old eat hamburger? ›

Beef is easy and safe to introduce once baby is ready to begin solid foods -- typically around 6 months of age. Including beef in a plant-based lifestyle helps build the foundation for a diverse and nutrient-dense diet for growing infants and toddlers.

Can a 15 month old eat rice? ›

When can I offer my baby rice? From around 6 months, after your baby has had their first tastes, rice is perfectly fine to offer to little ones. It's a great source of carbohydrates, which provide the energy that babies need to grow and develop as well as contributing to their protein, calcium and B-vitamin intakes.

What are the disadvantages of baby-led weaning? ›

BLW has some obvious downsides. The infant may not get enough energy, iron, zinc, vitamins, and other nutrients, or too much protein, saturated fat, salt, or sugar. The risk of choking, which must be distinguished from the physiological gagging reflex, has not been ruled out by scientific studies.

Do you skip purées with BLW? ›

Baby-led weaning (BLW) involves skipping the spoon-fed purées and letting babies feed themselves finger foods when starting solids.

Do babies eat purées in baby-led weaning? ›

“The basic idea behind baby-led weaning is that parents and caregivers can follow a baby's lead,” says Dr. Churbock. “This means watching for signs of developmental readiness and, when a baby is ready, allowing them to self-feed.” Babies are also skipping many traditional baby foods such as purees, Dr.

What is the 4 day rule for baby-led weaning? ›

The ” 4 day wait rule” might be a good practice to follow if you have a history of food allergies. Following a slow pattern of introducing solid foods to your baby will help pinpoint allergic reactions and to pinpoint any digestive issues a new food may cause.

How small should baby food be cut? ›

Always supervise your infant while eating; choking often occurs when infants are given foods that they are not ready to eat. Cut foods into small pieces – 1/4 inch or smaller, and place only a few pieces on the plate at a time. Encourage your infant to take small bites and chew food completely.

What is a portion size for a 1 year old? ›

What is an average serving size for a toddler? It can be helpful to think of a portion being as much as your toddler could hold in their fist for carbohydrate dense foods. Protein and fruit portions the size of the palm of their hand. Vegetable portions as much as their two fistfuls could hold.

What size should a 15 month old be? ›

Dresses
SizeAgeHeight
9 - 12 M9 - 12 Months29 - 30.5" 74 - 77 cm
12 - 18 M12 - 18 Months30.5 - 32" 77 - 81 cm
18 - 24 M18 - 24 Months32 - 33.5" 81 - 85 cm
2T2 Years33.5 - 35" 85 - 89 cm
4 more rows

What is it important to cut a toddler's food into smaller sized pieces? ›

Cutting up food into smaller pieces and mashing foods can help prevent choking. Here are ways to help prevent your child from choking. Cook and prepare food to the right shape, size, and texture for your child's development. Avoid small, sticky, or hard foods that are hard to chew and swallow.

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