How To Prepare & Serve Avocado For Baby Led Weaning
As your baby reaches the age for solid foods (yay!), introducing them to a diverse range of nutrient-rich foods is crucial. Not only for their growth and development, but so they can learn to like a variety of flavors and textures. Once you are ready to dive into solid foods, I hope you consider avocado as one of best first foods for your baby! This creamy fruit not only packs a punch in terms of nutritional benefits but is also safe and easy for babies to handle. In this blog post, I will explore why avocado is an excellent first food, its nutritional benefits, how to prepare and serve it for baby-led weaning.
Why Avocado Is a Wonderful First Food for Baby
Avocado is an all-around superfood, and the nutritional benefits combined with the texture make it an ideal first food for baby-led weaning. Avocados are extremely nutrient dense, and a great source of dietary fiber and healthy fats which can help with brain development. Avocados are not typically a common allergen either so you can feel safe giving it to your baby. They have a pretty mild flavor which may help your baby to like it as they learn to experience different flavors rather than breast milk or infant formula.
There are a variety of ways to prepare avocado for your new eater, so plan to serve it to them in many different forms and have fun!
Nutritional Benefits of Avocado For Your Baby
Avocado is a powerhouse of essential nutrients that are vital for your baby’s healthy development. It is rich in healthy fats, particularly monounsaturated fats, which are essential for brain development and overall growth. Moreover, avocados are a great source of vitamins C, E, K, and B-6, as well as folate, potassium, and fiber, all of which support a strong immune system and healthy digestion.
Can Babies Choke on Avocado?
One of the primary concerns of parents during baby-led weaning is choking. I agree, choking is one of my biggest fears with my kids… but the key to feeling safe giving food to your baby is education. Make sure to watch some videos of gagging vs. choking, and educate yourself on how to cut food properly.
Avocados have a low choking risk due to their soft and mushy consistency. Of course remember to always supervise your baby during meals and avoid offering large chunks that might be challenging for them to manage.
A good rule of thumb (or should I say pinky?) is to cut strips approximately as long and thick as your pinky finger. Any larger than that might be a concern for choking.
How Do You Prepare Avocado for Baby-Led Weaning?
Avocado is one of the most simple first foods that you can prepare for your baby. It will only take a couple of minutes! There are a few different ways that you can prepare it, depending on the age of your baby and how comfortable you are with BLW. Always start with a ripe avocado! This will ensure the Avocado is a soft texture that baby can mash between their gums. It should be slightly soft to the touch, with a little give.
Avocado Purée:
If you are more comfortable with a puree than strips or pieces of Avocado, you can create an avocado puree or avocado mash for your baby.
- Start with a ripe avocado, and cut it open lengthwise.
- Remove the seed, and scoop out 1/4 of the Avocado flesh with a spoon. I like to start with smaller servings here, so that I don’t waste as much if they don’t like it.
- Mix the avocado with a little bit of breast milk, lemon juice, lime juice, or banana (optional). 1 TB at a time so that it doesn’t become too liquid and hard for them to self-feed. You are looking for a nice smooth puree with a creamy texture that is not too thin.
- Serve the puree to your baby in a silicone bowl like these ones from EZPZ.
Avocado Strips
Strips of Avocado are a great way to encourage your baby to self feed. This option is completely safe for babies 6 months + as long as you cut the strips to the correct size. Remember to use your pinky as a guide. All strips of food for babies should be the approximate thickness and length of your pinky finger.
- Start with a ripe avocado, and cut it open lengthwise.
- Remove the seed, and scoop out 1/2 of the Avocado flesh with a spoon
- Cut the Avocado into strips about as long and thick as your pinky finger
- Serve the Avocado strips to your baby** directly on their high chair tray, or you can use a plate like these ones from EZPZ.
Avocado Pieces
This strategy is for the more advanced eater who has developed their pincer grasp.
- Start with a ripe avocado, and cut it open lengthwise.
- Remove the seed, and scoop out 1/4 of the Avocado flesh with a spoon
- Cut the Avocado into strips, then slice into small pieces. Cut the pieces about the size of a chickpea
- Serve the Avocado pieces to your baby directly on their high chair tray. You can also use a silicone plate or bowl.
When Can Babies Eat Avocado?
Babies can typically start eating avocado around 6 months of age, when they are developmentally ready for solid foods. A few signs of readiness are:
- Your baby is showing an interest in your food. Watching you eat, reaching for your food, etc.
- Your baby can sit up unassisted. This is a sign that their core muscles are developed enough and ready for food digestion
Of course, always consult with your pediatrician before introducing new foods to ensure it aligns with your baby’s individual needs.
How To Serve Avocado For Baby-Led Weaning
You can serve the avocado to your baby directly on their high chair tray, or you can use a bowl or plate. I love EZPZ products because they are non-toxic and spill-proof! If you are serving an avocado puree, you could pre-load a spoon for them and encourage them to self feed that way. Remember with baby-led weaning, the idea is for them to explore and experience the food. You shouldn’t be concerned about how much they actually eat.
Other Ways to Serve Avocado To Your Baby
During baby-led weaning, you can serve avocado as a standalone finger food or incorporate it into various recipes. Offer avocado slices or chunks, in smoothies, or spread mashed avocado on toast for a nutritious snack. You could also offer it to your baby as an avocado dip with other baby-led weaning friendly foods. The soft texture makes it easy for your baby to grasp and explore on their own. Besides the basic mashed or chunky form, you can get creative with avocado by blending it into smoothies, pureeing it with other fruits or vegetables, or even making avocado-based dips for veggies. These variations add excitement to your baby’s meals while providing essential nutrients.
How To Make Avocado Easier To Hold For Your Baby
As babies are still developing their fine motor skills, avocado can be a little slippery and hard to grab. It can be helpful to roll the strips of avocado in flax seeds, hemp seeds, or bread crumbs. Another option would be to cut it with a crinkle cutter. While I haven’t tried this one, some people don’t peel the skin completely, leaving some skin on to act as a natural handle. I have found that placing the avocado strips or pieces in plate or bowl helps little hands to pick it up.
How To Store Leftover Avocado
If you have extra puree or avocado pieces, store them in the fridge in an airtight container. Try offering it to your baby at the next meal or using it yourself within a couple of days.
What Other First Foods Should I Give My Baby?
While avocado is an great first food, it’s a good idea to introduce a variety of foods to ensure a well-balanced diet. Some other my other favorite first foods are:
- Sweet Potato (cooked, then mashed or cut into pieces or strips)
- Bananas (My 1 year old eats almost a whole banana every day!)
- Eggs (scrambled or over-easy and cut into strips or pieces for more advanced eaters)
- Smoothies
Remember that it is generally recommended to introduce one new food at a time and observe for any signs of allergies
My Favorite Baby-Led Weaning Resources
With my oldest son Jace, I had no idea what I wanted to do once we started solid foods. The only thing I had considered was making my own baby food. Besides that, I didn’t know anything about Baby-Led Weaning until I stumbled across an instagram account called “babyledweanteam“. I highly encourage you to check out their instagram and podcast if you are in the learning stages. They cover all bases and are super helpful. Another great instagram account is “feedinglittles“
If you are more of a reader, the book “Baby-Led Feeding: A Natural Way to Raise Happy, Independent Eaters” by Jenna Helwig has a lot of great tips and recipes.
Conclusion
Avocado is an exceptional first food for baby-led weaning, providing a wealth of nutrients and health benefits. Its creamy texture and mild flavor make it appealing to babies, encouraging them to explore and enjoy the world of solid foods. With proper preparation and supervision, you can introduce avocado safely to your little one, setting the stage for a lifetime of healthy eating habits. As your baby continues to explore new foods, remember to offer a diverse range of nutrient-rich options to support their overall growth and development.
