Baby led weaning sweet potato is great for baby’s first food! Whether you’re just starting out with BLW or brushing up on your knowledge, we’re showing you how to serve sweet potato for baby led weaning today.
Sweet potato is an awesome first food to try with your little. Most pediatricians recommend starting with vegetables as the first food to encourage babies to enjoy more than sweet fruit. Sweet potatoes are a sweet vegetable that cooks up super soft, making it a great option.
Benefits of sweet potato for babies
When starting solids with your little, we’re looking for nutrition-packed first foods. Sweet potatoes are amazing! Here’s what momjunction.com says about sweet potato benefits for infants.
- Vitamin A to support eyesight
- Lots of fiber to keep baby regular
- Full of many different nutrients, like iron, vitamin c, and magnesium.
How to prepare and serve sweet potato for a baby
Sweet potato was the first food for both of my boys. It;s great since it’s perfectly sweet, but also super soft and delicious.
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 or bake your potatoes and pop into your blender or food processor. A little liquid or breastmilk can be added to thin it out.
Mashed
Mashed is an easy first introduction to sweet potatoes as well. I actually prefer it because it’s much easier! Steam or bake a sweet potato and mash with a fork. A bit of texture is fine, but avoid any big chunks if giving to a baby 6-9 months.
Bonus – you can make the family a batch of mashed sweet potatoes for dinner and just remove some before seasoning for the baby.
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 potato mush.
Whole
Steam or bake a whole potato and then cut lengthwise into quarters or eighths, depending on the size. It’s up to you if you leave the skin on. If you do, it can make it easier to keep together, just make sure you clean it well before cooking and remove as needed.
Roasted
Cut your potato into sticks about the width of your thumb and 3-4 inches long. Roast with a bit of oil at 350 for 15-20 minutes until cooked through. Serve cooled to baby. They will be a bit sweeter and it’s a great dish to serve the whole family!
This is another fun way to serve roasted sweet potato to older kiddos – sweet potato
Diced
Cutting them can be a great option to hone baby’s pincer grip. Cut your steamed or baked potato into small pieces and serve cooled to baby.
Smoothie
I love smoothies for kids of all ages, and sweet potatoes are the idea addition! They add sweetness and creaminess everyone will love. Make sure whatever else you’re putting into your smoothie is something your kiddo has already tried and shown no allergies to. It’s also great for practicing how to use a cup or straw.
Muffins
These sweet potato muffins are perfect for little hands and use leftover sweet potato. . These are great for when you have a good amount of foods you’ve tried with baby, to cancel out allergic reactions.
Leave a Reply