Weaning babies is an important milestone in their development, as it helps them learn to eat solid foods and expand their diet. It can be a challenging process for some parents, so having quick and easy snacks on hand can be extremely helpful. Giving your baby nutritious snacks such as fruit purees, yogurt, oatmeal or cereal bars can help them transition from formula or breastmilk to solid foods. These snacks are a great way to introduce your baby to different tastes and textures, while ensuring they get all the essential nutrients they need for healthy growth and development. Additionally, having quick and easy snacks can make it easier for busy parents on-the-go. Preparing small portions of nutritious snacks ahead of time or buying conveniently packaged snacks can make it easier to provide your baby with the nutrition they need at any time.
Weaning was something i found quite daunting as a new mum, i worried a lot about what i was going to give my baby, how smooth things should be and also what easy snacks I could reach for that were healthy for him. In this blog, i will explore not only some super easy recipes for a busy mumma, but also snacks that are easy to grab for little ones too!
Easy snacks for baby
Soft fruits- Bananas, avocadoes, ripe pears and peaches. These are all great to grab and give straight to baby, they can be mashed easily if you are at the beginning of your weaning journey!
Steamed or roasted veg- Sweet potato, broccoli, carrots, courgette. Its super simple and easy, pop some veg in the steamer or roasting tin until soft, you can mash them or give them to baby cut into little pieces.
Yoghurt- Plain yoghurt, with no artificial flavourings can be jazzed up by adding fruit yourself, raspberries and strawberries mashed into plain yoghurt can give it a lovely subtle flavour, and add texture too!
Porridge or oatmeal- baby porridge was very much loved in our home, you can make it with breast milk or formula, or whatever milk you have at home. Some baby porridge can be made with boiling water, you can add fruit to it too.
Grated cheese- As my little one started exploring his hands more, grated cheese was fab to encourage motor skills and finely grated meant that it melted in his mouth very quickly.
Rice cakes with cream cheese- once your little one is well into the weaning journey Rice cakes are a great lunch time snack! You can get flavoured rice cakes, or one of my favourite things to make my son was rice cakes with cream cheese, and cucumber and tomato finely diced on top.
Bread sticks and houmous- I would blob a generous serving of houmous on the plate, cut sticks of cucumber, carrot and bread sticks and let baby explore with dipping.
Quick and easy meals for baby
Having a baby can be exhausting, and it’s no surprise that parents often don’t have time to prepare elaborate meals. Fortunately, there are plenty of quick and easy snacks that you can make for your little one! Here are some excellent ideas for healthy, nutritious snacks that won’t take too much time or effort to prepare:
- Mixed veg mash. Boil up some potatoes, steam any veg of your choice such as broccoli, peas, sweetcorn. mash your potatoes with a splash of milk (formula or breastmilk can be used too) and a blob of butter, until you have a lovely creamy mash, then with the back of a fork mash your veg (you can blend it up if you want it smooth) and finally add it to the mash. You can even sprinkle in some cheese for extra yumminess.. Super easy and full of nutrients!
- Veggie Quesadillas. Spread a thin layer of mashed avocado, black beans, or cooked vegetables onto a whole wheat tortilla. Sprinkle with cheese and fold in half before cooking in a lightly-oiled skillet over medium heat until the cheese melts. Cut into smaller pieces for an easy-to-eat snack with plenty of healthy fats and protein.
- Mini Pita Pizzas. Spread a thin layer of tomato sauce onto mini whole wheat pitas, and add your favourite shredded cheese. Bake in the oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly for an easy snack that provides carbohydrates for sustained energy. Add some extra veggies if you like!
- Smoothies. Blend together your baby’s favourite fruits with a little bit of yogurt for creaminess and milk for protein. You can also add in some oats, flaxseed, or nut butter for extra nutrition. Serve chilled in a bottle or sippy cup for an easy-to-eat snack that’s full of vitamins and minerals.
- Mini Muffins. Whip up a batch of whole wheat mini muffins with your favourite nutritious ingredients, like carrots, applesauce, flaxseed, oats, or nut butter. Bake in the oven until golden brown and enjoy as-is or dip into a little bit of yogurt for extra creaminess
- Pasta with mixed veg. Orzo, fusilli and spaghetti are great to use for baby, i would over cook it, so it is easy for baby to chew. you can add anything to it, but one of my sons favourites was broccoli, tomato and cheese. i would boil up the broccoli and chop the head into small pieces, sprinkle it into the cooked pasta with cheese, and dice up tomatoes and mix it through.
Making healthy snacks for your baby doesn’t have to be hard or time-consuming. With a little bit of creativity and some nutritious ingredients, you can make delicious snacks that are easy to eat and full of vital nutrients. Try out these recipes today!
Remember to introduce new foods one at a time and monitor your baby for any signs of allergies or sensitivities.
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