Baby-Led Weaning Meal Plan for an 8-Month-Old Baby

Ingredients:

• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon whole milk (or breast milk/formula)
• 1 slice soft whole grain bread (crust removed)

Instructions:

Beat the egg with milk. Cook over low heat, stirring gently to create soft curds. Cut the bread into finger-sized strips. Serve the scrambled eggs alongside the toast fingers for your baby to explore.

Potential Allergens:

Eggs and dairy. Introduce cautiously if not done before and monitor for allergies.

Choking Hazard Warnings:

Ensure eggs are soft and bread is manageable. Always supervise during eating.

Ingredients:

• 1 small sweet potato
• 1/4 cup cooked soft beans (e.g., cannellini beans)

Instructions:

Peel and chop the sweet potato, then steam until soft. Mash it lightly, leaving some small, soft lumps. Mix in the cooked beans. Let it cool before offering to your baby.

Choking Hazard Warnings:

Ensure beans are soft and can be easily mashed. Always supervise during eating.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup small pasta shapes (e.g., fusilli, rotini)
• 2 tablespoons unsalted tomato sauce

Instructions:

Cook the pasta until very soft. Warm the tomato sauce separately. Mix the pasta and sauce together. Allow to cool before serving. Offer the pasta for your baby to pick up and self-feed.

Choking Hazard Warnings:

Ensure pasta is cooked very soft. Always supervise during eating.

Ingredients:

• 2 ounces boneless white fish fillet (e.g., cod, haddock)
• 1/4 cup frozen peas

Instructions:

Steam the fish until fully cooked and flaky. Steam peas until very soft, then mash lightly. Ensure all bones are removed from the fish. Offer small flakes of fish and mashed peas to your baby.

Choking Hazard Warnings:

Ensure there are no bones in the fish and peas are soft. Always supervise during eating.

Ingredients:

• 1 ripe banana
• 1/2 cup quick oats
• 1 tablespoon applesauce (unsweetened)

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Mash banana in a bowl. Mix in oats and applesauce. Form small cookie shapes and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 10-12 minutes until set. Cool completely before offering to your baby.

Potential Allergens:

Oats (check for gluten if necessary). Monitor for any allergic reactions.

Choking Hazard Warnings:

Ensure cookies are soft and easily mashed. Always supervise during eating.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 ripe avocado
• 2 tablespoons full-fat cottage cheese

Instructions:

Mash the avocado until smooth. Mix in the cottage cheese. Offer to your baby on a pre-loaded spoon or allow them to use their fingers to self-feed.

Potential Allergens:

Dairy. Introduce cautiously if not done before and monitor for allergies.

Choking Hazard Warnings:

Ensure the mixture is smooth without large lumps. Always supervise during eating.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup milk (breast milk/formula or cow's milk if approved)
• 1 egg
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 cup fresh blueberries (halved if large)

Instructions:

Mix the flour and baking powder in a bowl. Add the milk and egg; stir until smooth. Gently fold in the blueberries. Cook small pancakes on a non-stick pan over medium heat until golden. Cool slightly and cut into strips. Offer to your baby for self-feeding.

Potential Allergens:

Eggs, dairy, and wheat. Monitor for allergic reactions.

Choking Hazard Warnings:

Ensure pancakes are soft and cut into manageable pieces. Always supervise during eating.