Baby-Led Weaning is a way to let your baby start eating whole foods instead of purees. Most often we just fed our daughter some of what we were eating anyway, but that doesn’t always work and you need other ideas for your baby.
I have found some great recipes while doing baby-led weaning with our daughter, and am happy to share some of the resources Iʼve found. Iʼm also sharing a quick and easy baby-led weaning breakfast recipe that has been a staple of our morning routine for a long time now.
An Overview: If you are interested in baby led weaning, but a little unsure what it is all about, this post from SimpleBites.net has a really good overview and some good snacky suggestions.
Please keep in mind that it’s called baby-led “weaning” and not “feeding” for a reason! Feeding baby anything other than breast milk will affect your supply and their intake. Even though you aren’t completely weaning all at once, feeding solids will start the process of less dependence on nursing. Whether that is a good thing or something you want to wait on depends on your baby’s age, health, and your nursing relationship. Be informed before you start the process.
Chickpea Patties: This recipe is a great nutritious finger food for babies. This post also has a lot of wonderful suggestions for other baby led weaning food ideas!
Easy first food recipes: This round up of recipes features quick and easy things to make just for baby. Some of these are mama and daddy friendly too, but some are obviously designed to just be for baby. Personally I prefer meals that we all can enjoy, but lists like these are so fantastic for breakfast and lunch ideas when I just need a quick something for baby.
Recipes for baby led weaning listed by age: This blog has a fantastic list of baby led weaning friendly recipes, but the best part is that there is an index that lists them all by age! I love being able to search the recipe base by the age my baby is to find ideas. All the recipes are also designed to be delicious for the whole family too, which is an extra bonus.
Finally, my recipe for Baby Led Weaning Oatmeal Fingers! This has been my daughterʼs favorite breakfast item for the last year and a half. It is quick, easy, delicious, and has enough nutrition to get her started for the day.
Beccaʼs Baby Led Weaning Oatmeal Fingers
3 tablespoons quick oats
3 tablespoons whole milk
1-2 teaspoons brown sugar, to taste
Mix all three ingredients in a microwave proof bowl. Microwave on high for 2 minutes. Let cool, and cut into bite size pieces.
Variations: you can also add a small amount of fruit (1-2 tsp) before microwaving. We love adding either banana or blueberries!
Becca Schwartz is a cloth diapering, baby wearing, semi-crunchy mama to a toddler girl and newborn boy. She and her husband have a small mini-farm with a flock of chickens, a few goats and rabbits, and are making plans to move out west to start a homesteading adventure together!
