Forget rusks and biscuits.
Todayβs babies are more likely to be weaned onto rice cakes and avocados if the latest research by baby snack brand Kiddylicious is anything to go by.
Apparently 18% more children are being given rice cakes as a first finger food than they were 20 years ago, while 17% more babies are fed avocado and 22% more are eating sweet potato.
Rice cakes and avocado were go-to foods for me when BB and Little B were weanagers, and no doubt they will be again when I introduce Littlest B to solids later this year.
But while the parents surveyed in the Kiddylicious poll said the reason theyβre giving their kids more βexoticβ food is to make them more adventurous and less likely to be fussy eaters, Iβm afraid my reasons arenβt so noble.
Basically I gave them things like rice cakes and avocado because I didnβt have to cook them.
Indeed thatβs one of the reasons I went down the baby led weaning route in the first place β laziness. Not only do you not need to cook many of their first finger foods, you donβt need to sit there feeding it to them either. Freeing you up to do something else.
Admittedly there are also cons β the mess can be incredible, and the potential for choking isnβt for the faint-hearted β but overall Iβd say baby led weaning is far preferable to slaving away in the kitchen only to puree what you lovingly created to within an inch of its life and then sitting there spoon-feeding it to them.
So if youβre considering baby led weaning and are wondering where to start I thought Iβd share my 5 favourite no-cook baby weaning foods.
5 of the best no-cook baby weaning foods
1. Avocado. This was the very first food I gave both BB and Little B when I introduced them to solids at six months. Itβs perfect because cut into slices avocado is firm for them to hold and grasp, but as soon as it enters their mouth it turns to mush. Itβs also really versatile β as well as avocado fingers you can also spread it on toast and rice cakes. (Donβt be alarmed by the state of their nappy afterwards though β itβs totally normal. I think.)
2. Rice cakes. On their own or with something like avocado spread on top, rice cakes make a great baby weaning food. You can get big ones, small ones, round ones, square ones, plain ones, fruit ones, marmite ones β the list is endless. Plus theyβre a great on-the-go snack to keep in the nappy bag too.
3. Kiddylicious wafers. Made with rice flour Kiddylicious wafers are a less sugary version of traditional rusks, with the added bonus of being mess free so no chiseling the remains off the high chair afterwards. They come in blueberry, banana and carrot flavours and have real longevity β designed for babies aged six months and up I also give them to BB (aged five) and Little B (aged two) to eat in the car on the way to school and nursery in the morning when weβve run out of time at home.
4. Hard cheese. Cut into sticks big enough for them to hold, hard cheese is not only a source of protein but a great baby weaning food because they can lick it, bite it or chew it. Iβd go for a mild cheese rather than a mature one until their tastes have developed.
5. Mango. Itβs bright, colourful and tasty and like cheese can be cut into sticks and sucked or chewed. I once peeled a small mango and gave it to BB, who promptly ate the lot and handed me back the stone.
Did you or do you feed your little ones any of the above? Do you find no-cook foods the best because they free you up to do something else?
Kiddylicious has launched a new campaign celebrating the wafer moments had by babies, families and friends and they’re asking mums and dadsΒ to share their #wafermoment – including what they get up to when their little ones areΒ busy eating wafers – toΒ be in with the chance of winning a host of prizes!
Iβm proud to be working with Kiddylicious as a Kiddylicious brand ambassador. As always all opinions are my own and I would never recommend or endorse a product I donβt truly believe in.
Linking up with…
This post has made me so hungry, sorry probably not your intention. I’m now craving mango and thinking how can I get some on the way to work, haha. I was the same when weaning Henry, hated cooking, so loved anything super easy. I think the poor little guy was overfed on mushy veg and fruit. Great post x #bestandworst x
sooo jelaous of all the baby led weaning mums. the only food my now 4 year old has always refused (and still refuses) are ricecakes, ricewafers and avocados π he demanded purees and attention while eating (i.e. spoonfeeding) hopefully his little brother will be more receptive (sometime in summer)
I found myself nodding with everything above. I’m currently weaning my seven-month-old and he’s loving sweet potato, avocado and rice cakes. Avocado is great for little ones. He loves Aldi rice cakes, particularly the raspberry ones.
Rice cakes were definitely my go to and fruit, any fruit #FamilyFun
Fab ideas…
Things have changed so much since my girls were little. They had rusks and fruit.
I think at 14 & 9 my girls have never tried Avacado. Eek! I must rectify that.
#bestandworst
I’m doing the purees at the mo but have given some sweet potato fingers. I think I’ll be using more wafers as we go on as it is that bit easier!! Thanks for sharing with #bestandworst x
Avocado was a firm favourite with my son but my daughter has always refused every attempt to feed her any vegetables or fruit (unless disguised). She was a huge fan of those wafers though and I always had a stash in the change bag x
#Bestandworst
I absolutely loved weaning my daughter and now creating new dishes for her (I’ve shared a week on my toddler’s plate if you’re ever after any other inspiration – https://www.treasureeverymoment.co.uk/2017/02/meal-planning-week-on-toddlers-plate-1.html). Non-cook weaning foods are so good for on-the-go or when a hungry baby just won’t wait! π #ablogginggoodtime
Helen x
I found weaning to be a bit of a chore at times but I do like the look of these wafers. Very easy finger food but tasty too! Thanks for joining us at #familyfun x
Some good ideas here – mine loved melon and cucumber too! #familyfunlinky
Back again π #ablogginggoodtime xx
My daughter used to eat anything we pureed and gave to her. Her favourites were carrots and parsnips. As she got a little bit older she’d eat nothing but fruit and veg (she would quite happily have sat with a bowl of peas as her tea!) She loved rice cakes. Still does actually. I can barely get her to look at veg these days though! #familyfun
Any food that requires no effort by me is great in my book!!
Thanks for linking to #ablogginggoodtime