The Basics
I'm back with the third installment of meal ideas, this time it's dinner ideas for a 6 month old baby! If you're new to the blog, be sure to check out the previous two posts on breakfast and lunch. In those, I talked all about how to build your baby's plate for a quick and easy, balanced meal.
I base my meals on my First Foods Handout. I find it to be really easy and quick, even several months into the feeding process. There are just some times when I need a visual reminder of what would round out my daughter's plate!
So if you haven't already, grab a copy of the handout, and let's get cooking!
Be sure to check out this example 6 month old feeding schedule for more help with feeding your newly eating baby!
The Food
Dinner can be one of the easier meals to serve your baby. Once you get used to the sizes and textures that are safe, that is. During these first few months of eating, you will have to modify your baby's food slightly so that it is the right texture. After they get the hang of this thing called eating, though, your baby will be an old pro at eating what you're eating.
In the meantime, your best bet is to take some of the food from your favorite meals and make it appropriate for your baby. If you are in need of some ideas of things you can serve them, I've got you covered. Some great options are sweet potatoes, lentils, and steak. There are a ton of fruits and veggies that work well, too. Watch the video below for some more ideas.
Texture and Size
You want to make sure your baby's food is able to be mashed between two fingers easily. The size of the food should be the width of an adult finger, and 1.5-2x the length of your baby's fist. I've got examples of exactly what I'm talking about in the video below for those of you with babies that are just starting to eat.
More: For more help with baby led weaning and how to help your baby succeed with eating, be sure to check out this article with a comprehensive guide to baby led weaning and first baby foods!
If you want some more ideas for dinner, or any meal, head over to my Instagram!
Last Thoughts
Feeding your baby dinner can be one of the easier meals of the day once you get the hang of what is the right texture. Many meals you eat yourself can be easily modified to be safe for your baby in their first few months of eating. Watch the video above to see how to safely modify meals for your baby.