Baby led weaning with peas is a great option packed with protein for baby and great for honing that pincer grip, Whether you’re just starting out with BLW or brushing up on your knowledge, we’re showing you how to serve peas for baby led weaning today.
Peas are a great food for babies, though they can be tricks for self-feeding. Kids generally gravitate towards sweeter foods, so it does make peas a great option for littles – a little sweet, but still a nutrient-packed vegetable!
Benefits of peas for babies
When starting solids with your little, we’re looking for nutrition-packed first foods. Peas might be one of the best options for that! Here is what WebMD says
- Vitamins and nurtients to combat inflammation.
- Packed with lutein and zeaxanthin for good eye health.
- Lots of fiber to keep baby regular
- Antioxidants to boost your immune system.
- 4 grams of protein per 1/2 cup serving
How to prepare and serve peas for a baby
Peas are a perfect first vegetable. But first you have to decide how you want to serve baby led weaning peas! We’re here to help you decide.
Puree
Not specifically BLW, but I truly think that baby led weaning should be less structured and more open to what works for YOU and YOUR family. Plus veggie purees are easy. To make a pea puree, simply steam your peas 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!
Need more info on baby led weaning vs purees? Check out this post.
Mashed Peas
Mashed is an easy and safe way to serve peas. You can do this basically like a chunky puree, taking the cooked peas (canned would work well here also, just keep an eye on the salt content) and smashing with a fork.
This will make a thick paste perfect for feeding to baby on the tray, allowing them to use their hand and fingers to pick up and feed themselves. You can also give baby preloaded spoons with the pea mush.
Whole
Whole peas are great for honing the pincer grip. Most sources agree that once your baby is able to grasp the peas (9-12 months) and self-feed you don’t need to worry about choking, but if your epas look large or you have a history of choking with your little smush and flatten a bit with your fingers or the back to a fork
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