DISCLAIMER: This post was developed in sponsored partnership with Baby Gourmet, however, as always, all opinions are genuine.
Here I share a simple breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu with this baby led weaning meal planner and guide to make BLW for your babies and toddlers a breeze!
If you’ve been following along in my baby led weaning journey on my Instagram stories, you know Baby E has been getting a wide range of delicious foods on the regular. In fact, we are officially at 122 different foods as of this week and he isn’t even a year yet! So if you have missed my beginners guide to BLW, I highly recommend checking it out here. That will give you some insight on some of the benefits, safety precautions, and how to prepare foods appropriately to make it safe and easy to eat using BLW principals. I’ve also got some insight on how to introduce allergens you can check that out here.
But now, let’s get to the important question – WHAT do I serve my baby if I’m trying to make sure they are getting a balanced meal using BLW (baby led weaning) techniques?
Baby Led Weaning Easy Meal Planner
So here’s the secret on baby led weaning there aren’t any hard and fast rules. Okay, so you don’t want to give a new eater a round hard food like a grape might want to add some other choking hazards in here, or honey before one, and you do want to limit added salt and sugar, but the beauty of baby led weaning is that babe eats what you’re eating, albeit with some modifications. However, if you’re like me, you like a little structure, so I developed an easy meal planner to help families starting solids feel confident their kid is getting enough of the good stuff.
Here’s the easy peasy gist. At each meal, I aim for:
Vegetables and/or fruit
Whole grains or starchy foods
Protein
Healthy Fats
And at least one source of iron.
Babies under 1 year need about 11 mg of iron (stay tuned for an entire post on what this looks like soon). I know this can seem daunting when you see how much of the food you serve ends up on the floor. So typically, I like to serve two sources of iron so that if one ends up going straight into my dog Poppy’s mouth, I have a second shot. And hey, even if they both end up getting chucked, I try not to stress. We need to trust our baby’s eating intuition and let them be the guide in this process even if it means our furry friends gain a little weight.
So here’s a sample breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu using my baby led weaning easy meal planner as a guide.
Baby Led Weaning Breakfast Menu
So here I’m serving avocado that I cut into strips so it’s easy for Baby E to pick it up, but since it tends to be a bit slippery, I rolled it in a bit of Baby Gourmet Ancient Grain Blend. Not only does that add iron and B vitamins, but it also gives Baby E some traction so it doesn’t just jump out of his hand. I’m a big fan of Baby Gourmet products in general because they have no fillers, added sugars, or salts, or artificial preservatives of any kind, so I feel really good–as a mom and dietitian–about serving them to Baby E.
Next, I’m doing some plain full-fat Greek yogurt to add protein and calcium. To add some natural sweetness I like adding a squirt of Baby Gourmet Apple, Sweet Potato and Berry Swirl (his fave!) While it does get messy, we are working on Baby E’s spoon skills, so I pre-load a bit of yogurt onto a spoon and let him self-feed.
Another favourite is whole grain toast spread with a thin layer of natural peanut butter. To keep it manageable, I cut it into small strips that easily fit in his hands.
And finally, for iron and protein, I’ve got a quick little egg omelet that I, again, cut into strips for easy grabbing. For some reason, omelet eggs go over way better with Baby E than scrambled in our house, but feel free to switch it up to see what works best!
So let’s take a look:
Avocado – Fruit and Vegetables, Healthy Fat
Toast Strips with Peanut Butter- Whole Grain, Iron, Protein, Healthy Fat
Omelet Strips – Iron, Protein
Yoghurt & Fruit Puree – Fruit and Vegetables, Protein
Baby Led Weaning Lunch Menu
For lunch, one of Baby E’s favourite foods is broccoli. I steam them until they’re soft enough that they could be mashed with his gums and then cut them with a bit of stem so he has a little handle to pick up.
I also have some sweet potato that I baked whole, cut into spears and sprinkle with little pinch of cinnamon instead of sugar or salt.
Next, I’m serving a handful of Baby Gourmet Organic “Carrot Sticks†Finger Foods, made with Lentil and Chickpeas! Baby E loves these both as a part of meals, and for on-the-go snacks, and I love them too, because they’re packed with plant-based protein, iron, and tummy friendly probiotics with no added sugar or salt. They’re also a perfect finger shape so they’re great for self-feeders.
Finally, I batch cooked some salmon that I seasoned with dried thyme and olive oil and just made sure was free of any tiny bones before giving some chunks to Baby E.
Let’s run through the tally.
Broccoli – Fruit and Vegetables
Baby Gourmet Carrot Sticks – Iron, Protein
Sweet Potato- Fruit and Vegetables, Starch
Salmon – Iron, Protein, Healthy Fat
Baby Led Weaning Dinner Menu
Finally, let’s do dinner BLW style. We were having an Italian themed dinner in my house this night, so I just modified our meal to be appropriate for Baby E.
Tonight I’ve got some green beans that I’ve trimmed and steamed until very tender. I usually add a little lemon for flavour so I can avoid added salt for my little man. He has so much fun trying to aim these into his mouth.
I also made some mini beef meatballs with eggs, iron-fortified Baby Gourmet Tasty Smooth Oatmeal cereal, dried oregano, medium ground beef and no added salt. If you’re making a big batch of meatballs, just put a bit aside for babe and season your own batch.
To go with it, I’m serving some fortified whole grain fusilli pasta with a little homemade tomato sauce on top.
And to finish off the night, I’m doing one of his favourites- fresh watermelon. I usually cut these into longer finger-like shapes. You can also serve it with the rind if your baby is having a hard time with their grip.
Green Beans – Fruit and Vegetables
Watermelon- Fruit and Vegetables
Pasta & Tomato Sauce – Iron, Fruit and Vegetables, Starch
Meatballs- Iron, Protein
So I hope this easy meal planner and my sample BLW breakfast, lunch and dinner menus have inspired you guys to get started with Baby Led Weaning.
I’ve also got some awesome recipes to give a try with your babe:
Peanut Butter Banana Mini Muffins
Salmon Sweet Potato Fritters                 Â
So lovelies, I would love to know – what are some foolproof baby led weaning foods that your baby loves?
Leave me a comment below with your thoughts!
Disclosure: This post was developed in paid partnership with Baby Gourmet, however, all opinions are genuine.
Updated on October 4th, 2021
Abbey Sharp is a Registered Dietitian (RD), regulated by the Ontario College of Dietitians. She is a mom, YouTuber, Blogger, award winning cookbook author, media coach specializing in food and nutrition influencers, and a frequent contributor to national publications like Healthline and on national broadcast TV shows.
Toni says
Hi Abbey! at what should my baby be ready to eat so much as there is on the plates you photographed? it seems like a lot, and i understand that it takes them time to show interest in food and get used to consuming more.
Abbey Sharp says
There is no set time or age. I’d say just let your baby go at their own pace. With baby led weaning you decide what and where they eat and they decide how much. So be patient and let baby do their own thing and follow their hunger cues!
Leanne says
Does baby actually eat things like toast and green beans? Or is it just for sucking on at first? It seems like these would be hard for a 6-month old. Just want to make sure I’m getting this right!
Abbey Sharp says
It’s often a bit of both. Some will swallow, some will just taste/chew! My son did both!
Kiara says
I’m about to start my son with BLW! The example recipes you give, are those okay to begin with? Aren’t I supposed to introduce one food at a time for a few days first? And I thought peanut butter was one of the later ones in case of an allergy? How do I begin for the first week or so? Thank you!!!
Abbey Sharp says
Hi Kiara, great questions!
I cover each question in more detail in these blog posts if you want to give them a read, as this may provide you with more helpful in depth information for any other questions you may have:
1 month baby led weaning meal plan: https://www.abbeyskitchen.com/blw-baby-meal-plan-starting-solids/
Beginners guide to BLW: https://www.abbeyskitchen.com/baby-led-weaning-blw/
peanut allergy introduction: https://www.abbeyskitchen.com/how-to-reduce-the-risk-of-peanut-allergy/
How and when to introduce food allergens: https://www.abbeyskitchen.com/how-and-when-to-introduce-food-allergens/
Evita says
Hi Abbey, I wonder if you could help. I was on your site reading about blw the other day and could have sworn I saw a bit about spinach pancakes made with three ingredients (banana, egg & frozen spinach), but can’t find it anywhere. Think it was mentioned alongside spinach muffins as well. Is this something you recognise or am I mixing up two sites? Many thanks!
Abbey Sharp says
Hi Evita, it must be this one https://www.abbeyskitchen.com/baby-spinach-and-avocado-green-pancakes-blw-easy-finger-foods-for-kids/
Ashley says
Thanks so much! Do you serve all of those options at every meal?
Abbey Sharp says
i try to serve a variety at every meal, yes – usually 3-4 foods per meal.
Tinu says
Thank for this Abbey it is very helpful. My daughter will be 1 this month and I have not done any of the solid foods with her. I still puree her food but on a thicker consistency. Am afraid am doing the same thing I did with my premmie son and now he does not eat foods that requires a lot of chewing. I am so behind and I hate it, all out of fear of choking. Help please.
Abbey Sharp says
did you take a CPR course? I promise you that the evidence suggests no difference in choking risk. I say go for it! Be calm. Or have another care giver start off until you can see babe is doing well. it’s definitely important that by 1 babe is eating whole table foods.
Stephanie says
What I noticed with babies is that they gag easily, and it’s a good thing that protects them, but of course it scares the daylight out of parents. Take the infant CPR, and slowly but steadily go for it! You can do this, and more importantly your baby can!
linda says
Hi thanks for this article, it is very helpful. My baby is only three months, but I get the feeling he will be ready for solids sooner since he is now the size and weight of a 6 month old. Im informing myself ahead of time and of course would ask his pediatrician first. Just want to ask, cause this looks like a lot, should I first just give one fruit option and build my way up?
Abbey Sharp says
yes you can! there are no hard rules. so do whatever you feel comfortable with.
Rachel says
Lovely pictures, thank you! One quick question – do you actually toast your bread before spreading with peanut butter?
Abbey Sharp says
Yes, just a little bit!
Barkha Patel says
These all look great. Can my 6 month old try these?
Abbey Sharp says
Yes as long as they’re showing the signs of readiness you’re good to start BLW! Good luck!
sarah grace spann says
Oh wow this is such a great resource! I know my sister as a momma would absolutely love this!!!
Abbey Sharp says
send it her way!
Sarah says
What a great resource! We had so much fun with baby led weaning once my daughter got the hang of it.
Abbey Sharp says
It really is so much fun
Kate says
Where can I find the baby gourmet food items? I’m from Maryland and it doesn’t seem to be at stores like target or Amazon??
Abbey Sharp says
it should be available on Amazon or you can order directly from the Baby Gourmet website
GiGi Eats says
I think I have decided that the first food Falkor will ever eat will be Avocado!
Abbey Sharp says
great first !
REBECCA says
first of all, how cute are your plates! and I never would have thought of rolling avo in cereal! what a great idea!
Abbey Sharp says
so simple too!
Deborah Brooks says
I love that you put so much thought and effort into your kids’ to make sure that they are so nutritiously sound. They will thank you one day!
Abbey Sharp says
aw i hope so! most of what mom’s do is so unrecognized
Genelle says
Hi Abbey! Thanks so much for this post and the beginners guide to BLW! I love seeing the meal ideas in your highlight reel as well! Just wondering, do you change the size or way you cut/serve food as you go along and baby gets older month to month.
Abbey Sharp says
For sure, I just follow my babe’s cues and follow along with his development.