Easy Baby Breakfast Ideas
- May 16, 2022
- Last Updated: May 10, 2023
- 0 Comments
- Baby Led Weaning
These easy baby breakfast ideas will help give you confidence in feeding your little one nutrient-dense options with all sorts of flavors and textures. These breakfast ideas for baby are easy, convenient and good for your little ones.
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When I was a new mom, I felt so stressed about putting together healthy baby breakfast ideas. What can they eat and what can’t they eat?
Solid foods can be intimidating, especially when thinking about what healthy fats and new foods to include.
Is it safe to introduce xyz food? What if they choke? What about food allergies?
There’s a lot of stress in feeding babies. However, you soon realize that once you let them do what they’re meant to do (eat!), they figure it out pretty quickly.
And if you happen to be pregnant, check out this list of healthy breakfast ideas for pregnancy! Make sure you’re still taking a good prenatal vitamin, too.
If you’re interested in reading about our baby led weaning journey, here’s a post I wrote about baby led weaning foods at 6 months.
We have used many of these baby led weaning breakfast ideas time and time again.
They work as 1 year old breakfast ideas and up, so your two year old toddler can eat these too (and probably will need a little bit more).
If you want to skip the pouches and storebought options, you can feel good about serving these breakfast finger foods for baby with these nourishing, healthy options.
Healthy Baby Breakfast Ideas
These healthy baby breakfast recipes and ideas below should give you inspiration in the kitchen not only for breakfast, but any meal of the day!
Here are some of my favorite foods for babies to include in a healthy baby breakfast.
Even if you have a picky eater, including some or many of these ingredients in your recipes can provide so much nutrition.
- Quinoa (Quinoa for babies and for kids is so versatile!)
- Sweet potatoes
- Avocado
- Fresh Fruit
- Whole grains – high in iron and great fiber source
- Full fat greek yogurt
- Cottage cheese – aim for low sodium if possible
- Coconut milk – a great high-fat source
- Almond milk – can be a great way to introduce potential allergens
- Beef – great iron source
- Lentils – great iron source. Tons of options in this kid friendly lentil recipe roundup!
- Peanut butter or baby peanut powder – Great for allergen introduction.
- Eggs
- Chia seeds – healthy fats, iron and calcium (chia seeds for kids are great!)
- Flax seeds – healthy fats, iron and calcium
- Oats (overnight oats can be great for babies – just leave out the sweeteners and cut any fruit as needed) – Blueberry lemon overnight oats are fun and pretty!
- Baby breakfast muffins
Many of these baby breakfast recipes include several of these ingredients, which make them great, balanced options.
Newer research shows that an early introduction of allergen foods to most babies is safe and may even reduce the risk of future allergies, however, speak with your individual care provider for your situation.
Avoid Added Sugars Before Age 1
Most of the recipes below are free of added sugars. However, some may use maple syrup or honey as a sweetener. You can leave those ingredients out for little ones, but may consider adding them in for toddlers.
It’s important to know that honey should NOT be introduced to babies under the age of 1 due to the risk of infant botulism.
The American Association of Pediatrics actually recommends that you avoid added sugars before the age of 2, and limit the daily intake after age 2.
Include Protein in Baby Breakfast Recipes
When you’re serving breakfast to a 4-8 month old, serving just a piece of fruit or veggie should be fine. So, part of these meals could be great for breakfast ideas for an 8 month old.
But as babies age, and you need baby breakfast ideas for 11 months old, you want to serve a more complete meal.
We tend to include plenty of carbs for babies, through fruits and veggies, but make sure to include protein too.
They don’t need a lot since they are so small, but protein usually comes packed alongside key nutrients, like iron, B-vitamins, choline and more.
Dairy products, meats, eggs, whole grains, beans and legumes can be great options for kids. Many of these quinoa recipes for kids are also baby friendly with some modifications.
Iron Rich Foods
Iron is important for growth and brain development.
Some sources of iron for babies include eggs (with yolk), whole grains, meats, bean/legumes, tofu, and seafood. Iron stores in breastmilk tend to decrease by around 6 months, making the introduction of solids a key time for iron-rich foods.
If you use formula, your child’s iron needs can be met by standard infant formulas for the first 12 months of life.
Pairing non-heme (plant-based) iron sources with Vitamin C foods, such as citrus fruits, sweet potatoes, or broccoli, can help improve iron absorption.
You can even make these breastmilk popsicles for teething, and add in pureed meats for iron.
Include Lots of Healthy Fats
While many adults fear fats, they are so important for our growing babies’ brains.
Make sure you are offering and introducing several different forms of healthy fats in your baby led weaning breakfast ideas, such as butter, whole fat dairy, nut butters, avocado, oils, fish, eggs and more.
I always try to have at least one fat source in every meal or snack I serve to baby.
What About Allergens in Baby Breakfast Foods?
As parents, the idea of a food allergy or intolerance is incredibly scary. If baby has a reaction, how do we know and how are we supposed to react?
As previously mentioned, there has been a good amount of newer research showing that an early introduction of allergen foods to most babies is safe and may even reduce the risk of future allergies.
There was a key peanut study that helped form new recommendations about allergens and child feeding. Here are some of the key takeaway points:
- Maternal avoidance of allergenic solids during pregnancy or breastfeeding and the delayed introduction of such foods in infants’ diet after the first year of life have proven to be an ineffective means of food allergy prevention.
- There is good evidence that, for infants with severe atopic dermatitis and/or egg allergy, regular peanut intake after four months and before 12 months of age can reduce the risk of developing peanut allergy.
- In line with current guidelines, we recommend a progressive introduction to solid foods, including all common allergenic solids, during the first year of life, according to the infant’s ability to chew, keep their head still and sit propped up, and familial or cultural habits, beginning at around six months but not before four months of age.
However, you should speak with your individual pediatrician or care provider about your specific situation.
Baby Breakfast Ideas
These baby breakfast ideas are easy to prep and will help nourish your little one.
Baby waffles are a great first food for babies. These spinach waffles with sweet potatoes are free of added sugars and full of healthy ingredients for your little ones.
This easy baby pancakes recipe is nutrient-full and great to serve for baby led weaning at 6 months and beyond!
Baby French Toast Sticks are a healthy, tasty way to introduce eggs to your baby. This protein french toast can be topped with fruit, peanut butter, hummus, yogurt or milk!
This colorful applesauce is a great puree option for babies under 1! Add beets and carrots, in addition to apples, to their breakfast.
Mini egg omelets baked in a muffin tin with broccoli, cheddar and delicious spices. Perfect first food for baby!
Banana chia pudding is like a healthy banana pudding in a glass, filled with nourishing ingredients like bananas, chia seeds, milk and shredded coconut.
This Sweet Potato Kale Hash recipe is an easy way to add veggies to your breakfast. With sauteed kale and sweet potato and veggies, this vegan breakfast hash will be a morning favorite!
These quinoa pizza bites are the perfect toddler quinoa bites or quinoa appetizer. Filled with greens, tomatoes, breadcrumbs, and cheese, these veggie quinoa bites taste like healthy mini pizza bites.
These baked oatmeal bars are nice and soft, perfect for babies who are venturing into finger foods! They are just sweet enough with banana and applesauce, no added sugar
Need a dairy-free, baby-friendly, quick breakfast recipe you can make from scratch that works for the whole family? These Simply Nutritious Banana Spelt Waffles work well during baby-led weaning and offer a nutrient-rich, healthy breakfast food for kids, picky eaters, and adults as well!
Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal cookies only require 3 pantry ingredients and are ready in under 20 minutes! Plus, these 3 ingredient vegan peanut butter cookies are the best as an easy, quick dessert.
This turmeric oatmeal is ready in minutes and adds a savory twist to your breakfast favorite. Enjoy the anti-inflammatory benefits of these hearty turmeric oats.
Photo Credit:
www.hauteandhealthyliving.com
Zucchini Spinach Frittata Fingers | Haute & Healthy Living
These spinach zucchini frittata fingers are a protein and iron packed breakfast perfect for babies. The frittata is cut into strips so it's easy to hold and the texture is soft enough for babies to chew with no teeth!
Looking for an easy oatmeal recipe for babies? These porridge fingers are the perfect size and texture for little ones, and can be whipped together in less than 5 minutes! Perfect for baby-led weaning or as a finger food for toddlers! {gluten-free & vegan}
This baby pancake recipe is perfect for baby led weaning, allergen introduction, and extra iron. It was a favorite for both of my sons and is easy to prep ahead.
These no sugar added, naturally sweetened muffins are perfect for beginners and advanced eaters! They make a great recipe to whip up every fall with all those freshly picked apples!
Whole grain cornmeal pancakes are fluffy, easy, & super healthy! No buttermilk or yeast needed, these simple pancakes can be made in minutes!
Add in milk or breastmilk to make this no-sugar added mango spinach smoothie nourishing for little ones.
This oat and prune porridge makes a delicious breakfast or meal that can be served for toddlers, older kids or even babies from 6 months, you just need to adjust the consistency and make it smoother. This oatmeal porridge with prunes is one of the best baby food that provides a lot of nutrition and helps with constipation.
More Baby Led Weaning Posts and Todder Recipes:
Sarah Schlichter is a Registered Dietitian with a Master’s in Public Health Nutrition. She specializes in sports nutrition and intuitive eating, and recipe development. She also co-hosts the podcast, Nail Your Nutrition.
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