Are you ready to ditch the purées and embrace a more natural, fun way for your baby to explore food? Baby Led Weaning (BLW) is a game-changing approach where your baby feeds themselves right from the start, usually around six months old. No spoon-fed mush. Just real food, tiny hands, and lots of joyful mess!
In this guide, we’re diving into delicious, gentle, and healthy baby led weaning recipes perfect for 6-month-olds. Whether you’re a first-time mom or looking for fresh inspiration, these ideas are pediatrician-informed, safe, and baby-approved.
What is Baby Led Weaning?
Baby Led Weaning (BLW) is a method of introducing solids that lets your baby self-feed from the beginning, skipping purées and spoon-feeding. Your baby explores textures, tastes, and shapes of real whole foods, building independence, coordination, and healthy eating habits.
When to start? Around 6 months, if:
- Baby can sit upright without support
- Baby has good head and neck control
- Baby shows interest in food
- Baby has lost the tongue-thrust reflex
Safety First: Baby Led Weaning Tips
Before we jump into recipes, here are key safety tips every parent should know:
- Cut food into finger-sized shapes (about the size of your pinky finger)
- Steam or roast until soft – squishable between fingers
- Always supervise your baby during meals
- Avoid choking hazards: whole grapes, raw carrots, hard chunks, nuts, popcorn
- Offer water in a sippy cup or open cup alongside meals
Essential First Foods for 6 Months Old
These are your base building blocks. Offer them plain, mashed, or gently seasoned:
- Avocado slices
- Steamed carrot or sweet potato sticks
- Banana quarters (peeled halfway)
- Steamed broccoli or cauliflower florets
- Strips of ripe mango or pear
- Soft-boiled egg slices
- Strips of toast with avocado or nut butter
15 Baby Led Weaning Recipes (6 Months Friendly!)
Now let’s dive into easy, gentle, and nourishing BLW recipes you can confidently serve your 6-month-old baby.
1. Avocado Banana Mash Strips
Ingredients:
- ½ ripe banana
- ½ ripe avocado
Instructions:
Mash together. Spread on a soft whole grain toast slice. Cut into finger-width strips. Serve slightly warm.
Soft, creamy, and full of healthy fats!
2. Sweet Potato Fries (Baby Version)
Ingredients:
- 1 sweet potato
- A drizzle of olive oil
Instructions:
Peel and slice into thick wedges. Toss with olive oil. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20 minutes, until tender. Let cool before serving.
Rich in vitamin A, perfect for little gums.
3. Steamed Broccoli Trees
Ingredients:
- Broccoli florets
Instructions:
Steam florets until fork-soft (7–10 minutes). Cool and serve as is. Babies love grabbing the stalk and chewing the soft tops.
Fun to hold, and packed with fiber!
4. Omelette Fingers
Ingredients:
- 1 egg
- Optional: pinch of grated cheese or chopped spinach
Instructions:
Whisk egg, pour into a nonstick pan, and cook like a pancake. Cool, slice into strips. Easy to hold, soft to chew.
A great iron and protein source.
5. Baby Pancakes (2-Ingredient)
Ingredients:
- 1 ripe banana
- 1 egg
Instructions:
Mash banana and mix with egg. Cook small pancakes on a nonstick pan for 1–2 minutes each side. Serve cut in halves or quarters.
Naturally sweet and soft enough for beginners.
6. Mashed Pea Spread on Toast
Ingredients:
- ½ cup peas (steamed)
- 1 tsp olive oil or breastmilk
Instructions:
Mash or blend peas into a smooth spread. Smear onto soft toast, cut into strips.
A protein-rich green start.
7. Roasted Apple Wedges
Ingredients:
- 1 apple
- Cinnamon (optional)
Instructions:
Slice apple, sprinkle lightly with cinnamon, and bake until soft. Serve cool.
Warm, sweet and perfect for teething relief.
8. Zucchini Fingers
Ingredients:
- 1 zucchini
- Olive oil
Instructions:
Cut into thick strips. Roast with oil until soft and golden. Let cool.
Great for grip and gut health.
9. Carrot Hummus Dip
Ingredients:
- ½ cup chickpeas
- ½ cooked carrot
- A dash of lemon juice
- 1 tsp olive oil
Instructions:
Blend into a smooth paste. Serve as a dip with toast strips or soft cucumber spears.
Gentle flavor with creamy texture.
10. Lentil Patties
Ingredients:
- ½ cup cooked red lentils
- 1 tbsp mashed sweet potato
- 1 tsp flour (or baby cereal)
Instructions:
Mix ingredients, form mini patties, and pan-fry with a tiny drizzle of oil. Cool and serve.
Iron-rich and filling.
11. Butternut Squash Cubes
Instructions:
Steam or roast until soft. Serve plain or with a light dash of cinnamon.
Sweet, soft, and easy to hold.
12. Cucumber Rings (For Teething Relief)
Note: Use only if your baby can handle firmer textures.
Slice thick cucumber rounds and remove seeds. Chill and offer cold (not frozen).
Soothes teething and introduces texture.
13. Quinoa Fingers
Ingredients:
- Cooked quinoa
- Egg
- Baby-friendly spices (turmeric, cumin)
Instructions:
Mix, form into sticks, and pan-cook gently until firm. Let cool.
A powerhouse grain full of protein and minerals.
14. Pear Boats
Slice a ripe pear into quarters. Keep the skin on for grip (if soft). Steam lightly if needed.
Juicy, slippery, fun!
15. Rice & Veggie Balls
Ingredients:
- ½ cup cooked rice
- ¼ cup cooked carrots or peas
- 1 egg yolk
Mix, roll into balls, and bake until firm but soft. Serve lukewarm.
Easy to grab, and great for iron and fiber.
What About Drinks?
Your baby still gets most hydration from breastmilk or formula. At 6 months, you can introduce:
- Sips of water in an open cup or sippy
- Avoid juice or sugary drinks
Sample 6-Month Baby Led Weaning Feeding Schedule
| Time | Meal |
|---|---|
| 7:00 AM | Breastmilk/formula |
| 8:30 AM | BLW Breakfast (e.g., banana pancake) |
| 12:00 PM | Breastmilk/formula |
| 1:00 PM | BLW Lunch (e.g., omelette fingers, veggies) |
| 4:00 PM | Breastmilk/formula |
| 5:30 PM | BLW Snack or Dinner (e.g., sweet potato, peas) |
| 7:00 PM | Breastmilk/formula before bed |
Final Thoughts: Keep It Gentle & Joyful
Baby Led Weaning doesn’t need to be stressful. Follow your baby’s cues, offer a rainbow of soft whole foods, and enjoy watching their independence blossom. Every bite, every squish, every tiny fistful is a step toward lifelong healthy eating.
Remember: It’s not about how much they eat, it’s about learning, exploring, and connecting.