Baby Led Weaning: Avocado Guide

Are you considering introducing avocado to your little one during their baby-led weaning journey? Look no further!

In this article, we’ll explore the various ways to serve avocado in baby-led weaning, ensuring a fun and safe experience for your child. We’ll guide you through:

• Different avocado serving methods for various ages
• The benefits of avocado as a great BLW food
• When and how to introduce avocado to your baby
• The best avocado combinations and recipes
• Tips for storing avocado

Let’s get after it!

Key takeaways

• Avocado is a nutritious, easy-to-grip, versatile, allergen-friendly, and delicious option for baby led weaning
• Introduce avocado to your baby around 6 months of age, as long as they have good head and neck control and show an interest in food
• Avocado can be served mashed, with peel, or without peel, depending on your baby’s age and abilities
• Experiment with various avocado combinations, such as avocado and banana puree, avocado toast, or avocado slices with grilled chicken
• Store avocados according to their ripeness, using techniques like refrigeration or a paper bag with an apple or banana to control ripening

How do you serve avocado in Baby Led Weaning?

As with all foods, the first time we introduce avocado it is always better to do it without adding anything and in its natural form.

This way your baby will experience its natural flavor and then it will be easier for him to accept it in other forms.

Mashed +6 months

Perfect option if you don’t feel like cleaning up the mess caused by letting your baby eat avocado (yes, we’ve experienced it ourselves).

When your baby starts using utensils, it’s a perfect way to offer avocado and let your baby develop fine motor skills.

Finger with peel +6 months

As with the banana, leaving a bit of avocado peel is a way to make it easier for your baby to grasp.

This is the way we recommend, as it gives the baby autonomy, which is one of the benefits of Baby Led Weaning.

Finger with No peel +8 months

We have written for over eight months, but this is simply because grasping a skinless avocado slice can be difficult for a 6-month-old baby, as it is slippery.

Why Is avocado a great BLW food?

Key Benefit	Description
Nutritious	Loaded with fiber, healthy fats, and essential vitamins and minerals for baby’s health and brain development.
Easy to Grip	Creamy, soft texture that newborns can grab and hold, ideal for BLW.
Versatile	Can be prepared in numerous ways, easily integrated into your infant’s diet.
Allergen-Friendly	Hypoallergenic food suitable for most babies.
Delicious	Mild taste and creamy texture that babies usually love.

Nutritious

Avocado is a superfood loaded with fiber, healthy fats, and vitamins and minerals including folate, potassium, and vitamin E.

These nutrients are crucial for a baby’s general health and brain development.

Easy to grip

Avocado has a creamy, soft texture that newborns can grab and hold, making it ideal for BLW.

This makes it an excellent food for them to self-feed and experiment with.

Versatile

Avocado may be prepared in numerous ways, making it simple to integrate into your infant’s diet.

You can mash it and serve it as a spread, slice it and serve it as an appetizer, or include it into purees and other recipes.

Allergen-friendly

Avocado is a hypoallergenic food. 

Delicious

It has a mild taste and creamy texture that babies usually love.

All these qualities make avocado an amazing option for Baby Led Weaning.

When should you introduce avocado to your baby?

Around 6 months old is the perfect age for your baby to start trying out new flavors and textures.

As long as they have good head and neck control, can sit up on their own, and show an interest in food, they should be ready to try avocado as a first food or as part of a mixed diet of purees and finger foods.

What are the best avocado combinations?

There are certain foods that combine perfectly with avocado, either in purees or offered together in divided plates for BLW.

If you are doing baby-led weaning, we recommend you read our article on the benefits of using divided plates for babies and toddlers. Additionally, we have an article on how to structure your baby’s and toddler’s meals for maximum nutrient absorption. 

– Best Avocado Puree combinations

Combination	Description	Benefits
1. Avocado and Banana	A sweet and creamy combination, simply mash ripe avocado and banana together to create a smooth puree.	Rich in potassium, fiber, and healthy fats, this combo is perfect for promoting healthy digestion and providing energy.
2. Avocado and Sweet Potato	Blend cooked sweet potato with ripe avocado for a velvety, nutrient-dense puree.	Packed with beta-carotene, vitamin C, and healthy fats, this combination supports immune function and eye health.
3. Avocado and Peas	Mix cooked peas with mashed avocado to create a vibrant green puree with a hint of natural sweetness.	High in protein, fiber, and vitamins A and K, this mix helps support growth and bone health.
4. Avocado and Chicken	Combine cooked, finely shredded chicken with ripe avocado for a smooth, protein-rich puree.	Offering a good source of protein, iron, and healthy fats, this combination aids in muscle development and brain function.

– Best Avocado Solid combinations

Avocado mashed with toast or crackers

Easy for babies to pick up and chew, and provides a mix of creamy avocado and crunchy toast or crackers. Perfect for mixing textures. Don’t forget to choose a bread that is appropriate for babies.

• Mash the avocado and spread it on a toast
• Add some pepper and sesame seeds for extra flavor

Avocado slices with grilled chicken or fish

With this mixture of ingredients, you get a wonderful source of both protein and beneficial fats. Plus, the avocado adds a lovely creaminess and taste, while the chicken or fish gives a nice, substantial texture. Be aware of the amount of protein you offer daily. 

Avocado slices with cherry tomatoes

This combination is a colorful and tasty way to introduce your baby to new flavors and textures. Creamy avocado and the cherry tomatoes provide a burst of sweetness and crunch.

Make sure to cut the cherry tomatoes in quarters. Don’t offer them whole since are a choking hazard.

Avocado slices with boiled eggs

Good amount of healthy fats and proteins. This mixture is great for nutrient density and the flavour is amazing as well. 

Avocado slices with roasted vegetables

Vegetables pair well with anything, and avocado is no exception. 

What is the best way to store avocado?

The best way to store avocado depends on their stage of ripeness.

Not yet ripe

You can store them at room temperature until they are ready to be used. This typically takes a few days to a week, depending on the starting level of ripeness.

You can speed up the ripening process by placing the avocado in a paper bag with an apple or banana, which will release ethylene gas and accelerate the ripening process.

Ripe

Refrigerating ripe avocados extends their shelf life.

Before storing in the fridge, put the avocado in a plastic bag or wrap it in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. This prevents browning and overripeness.

Cut

After cutting one avocado, put it in an airtight container with plastic wrap or aluminum foil in the refrigerator.

This prevents browning and prolongs freshness.

Baby Led Weaning Avocado FAQ

1. Is avocado healthy for babies?

Avocado has various health benefits for newborns.

It is low in sugar and high in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats.

Avocado’s monounsaturated fatty acids may boost heart health and lower cholesterol, and its beneficial fats help newborns absorb fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K.

Avocado is gentle and digestible, making it a good first food for babies.

Serve babies ripe, smooth avocado.

2. Is avocado a common allergen?

It is not considered a common allergen. 

3. Is avocado a choking hazard?

Avocado is not considered a choking hazard. However, you should offer it to your baby the way we explain in this article to avoid possible choking scenarios.

4. Can I give avocado as a first food?

Avocado is generally considered to be a good first food for babies.

5. Is avocado good for teething babies?

Yes, avocado can be a good food for teething babies because it is soft and easy to chew. You can offer it cold from the fridge or even frozen and it could help your baby with teething pain.

Conclusion

In conclusion, baby led weaning avocado is an excellent option for introducing your little one to new foods and textures.

Its numerous benefits, such as being rich in nutrients and easy to grip, make it an ideal choice for babies starting their journey with solid foods.

From serving avocado in its natural form to combining it with other ingredients for delicious recipes, there’s no shortage of ways to incorporate this superfood into your baby’s diet.

As your child grows and develops, continue to explore the versatility of avocado, ensuring a well-rounded and enjoyable baby-led weaning experience.