Baby led weaning with carrots is a perfect first food when introducing solids, Whether you’re just starting out with BLW or brushing up on your knowledge, we’re showing you how to serve carrots for baby led weaning today.
Carrots are a great first food. Most pediatricians recommend starting with vegetables as the first food to encourage babies to enjoy more than sweet fruit. Carrots are the best of both worlds! A little bit sweet, many different textures, and yet still a vegetable!
Benefits of carrots for babies
When starting solids with your little, we’re looking for nutrition-packed first foods. Carrots are definitely that! Here’s what sfgate.com says about carrot benefit for infants.
- Vitamin A to support eyesight
- Lots of fiber to keep baby regular
- Phytochemicals to possibly protect against heart disease and cancer.
- Full of many different nutrients, like iron, vitamin c, and calcium.
How to prepare and serve carrots for a baby
Carrots are a perfect first vegetable. But first you have to decide how you want to serve baby led weaning carrots!. We’re here to help you decide.
Puree
Yes, not specifically BLW, but if it’s what your baby enjoys or you’re not comfortable with it yet, veggie purees are easy. Simply steam your carrots and pop into your blender or food processor. A little liquid or breastmilk can be added if you need to thin it out.
Practice BLW with purees by offering preloaded spoons!
Mashed
Mashed is an easy first introduction to carrots as well. Steam a carrot and mash with a fork. A bit of texture is fine, but avoid any big chunks if giving to a baby 6-9 months.
Feed to baby on the tray, allowing them to use their hand and fingers to pick up and feed themselves, or give baby preloaded spoons with the carrot mush.
Whole
Carrots are the perfect size and shape for little hands. Peel a whole carrot and steam it until super soft, allow to cool, Cut in half if it’s large. Your baby will be able t grasp the carrot easily and gnaw on the end. You can also quarter the carrot lengthwise to make sticks.
Diced
Cutting them can be a great option to hone baby’s pincer grip. Cut your steamed carrots into smaller pieces that they can easily grasp. Again, it should be steamed, as chunks of raw carrot are choking hazards.
Smoothie
I love smoothies for kids of all ages, and bananas are the idea addition! Make sure whatever you’re putting into your smoothie is something your kiddo has already tried and shown no allergies to. I love this orange carrot smoothie.
Cookies
Possibly my favorite baby food hack, these 2 ingredient teething cookies are perfect for little hand and mouths. Instead of banana, try swapping out smashed, steamed carrot.
Raw
Generally speaking, carrot isn’t great for littles raw since it’s so hard and can then become a choking hazard. That said, there are ways to introduce it! Try shredding raw carrot on a box grater or using a peeler to make long, thin strips for raw carrot. Babies love trying new textures!
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