Avocados are such a great first food for babies! Here is everything you need to know about safely serving avocados for baby led weaning babies, including how to cut avocado for ages 6 months + and recipe ideas.
Avocado was one of the very first solid foods that I offered to both of my babies. Avocado is such a great first food for anyone starting solids with their little one, so I recommend it throughout your journey starting solids! Here's everything you need to know about avocados and baby led weaning.
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When Can Babies Have Avocado?
Babies can eat avocado as soon as they are developmentally ready for solids, around 6 months of age. There are plenty of options for serving for BLW, but spoon fed babies can enjoy it too, since it mashes easily.
Why Avocado Is A Great First Food For Babies
Avocados are perfect for babies from a nutrition standpoint, because they are very calorie- and nutrient-dense, with most of the calories coming from healthy fat, which is great! Babies have high need for both calories and nutrients, and every bite counts for them, especially when they're first starting solids around 6 months old.
Avocados also have a naturally soft texture and mild flavor thatʼs perfect for babies, and they're so versatile, making them easy to include on babies' plates.
Essential Nutrients in Avocado
Avocados contain nearly 20 vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients1. A few important ones for babies that stand out are:
Monounsaturated fats - Unsaturated fats are the healthy kind. Babies need fat for brain development, and including fat at meals can aid in absorption of fat soluble vitamins, like vitamins A and E. Don't be hesitant when including fat in babies' diets, especially healthy fats!
Folate - Folate is important for brain development.
Fiber - Fiber helps keep things moving in the digestive system.
- Carotenoids zeaxanthin and lutein - These antioxidants are good for eyes.
How To Serve Avocados for Baby Led Weaning by Age
Because avocados are naturally soft and require no cooking, they're so simple to serve, which makes your life easier!
Mashed (6+ months)
Whether spoon fed or BLW, mashed avocado is easy and tasty for babies! Make sure the avocado is nice and ripe and use a fork to mash it as smooth as you like. Serve on a preloaded spoon for BLW or spread on toast fingers.
Sliced (6+ months)
Give baby a slice that's about the width of your finger. If your baby struggles with gripping, you can leave the skin on all or part of the slice. You can also roll it in something to help with grip, such as hemp seeds, sesame seeds, ground flaxseed, or crushed Cheerios.
Diced (9+ months)
Once baby has a pincer grasp, you can serve ripe avocado in bite-sized pieces about the size of your fingernail, or continue offering slices.
Some other ideas for serving avocado for baby led weaning:
- Spread on top of toast fingers for baby avocado toast
Guacamole, Pea Avocado Mash, or mashed in chicken or tuna salad
Add pureed avocado to baked goods in place of some or all of the fat
- Add to smoothies
Tip! Choosing the right avocado. You want an avocado that is not too firm, but not too soft. When choosing an avocado, you want one that has darker skin, looks plump, and gives just a little when you squeeze it gently. If it's too hard, leave it on the counter for a day or two to ripen.
Preparing Avocados For Baby
If you've never prepared an avocado, it's easy-peasy! Use a large, sharp knife to cut into the center from top to bottom. You should feel the large pit in the middle. Run your knife completely around the pit. Holding onto both sides, twist and pull apart so that you have two halves. You can now remove the pit using a knife or spoon, and either peel the skin off, or use a large spoon to scoop out the flesh before cutting into the shape you need.
Track your baby's journey through starting solids! Get my 100 First Foods Checklist and Allergen Checklist Bundle today!
FAQ
Avocados that are not yet ripe could be a choking risk. Make sure it is ripe enough before serving to baby. You can test the ripeness by mashing with a fork - if it mashes easily, it is ripe enough to serve to baby. Also make sure your serving in a safe way, as outlined above.
No, avocado is not a common allergen. Those with a latex allergy may react to avocado.
Avocado is rich in fiber, which is good for baby's digestion. However, offering too much fiber at once, especially when first starting solids or if baby is not used to a high fiber diet, could cause constipation or gas. If your baby shows signs of discomfort, reduce the amount offered at one time.
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