26 Easy and Delicious Baby-Led Weaning Breakfast Ideas

Following the baby-led weaning method and looking for some breakfast ideas?

You are in the right place.

In this article, we’ll share with you 26 ideas you can use as breakfast for your baby, whether he/she is 6 or 12 months old.

Let’s get started!

We recommend you check out our BLW Meal Plan Generator if you are in need of more ideas!

BLW Breakfast ideas for babies 6 months

When our baby starts with solids and finger foods, it is best to offer foods one at a time and in their most natural form. This way, your baby will not feel overwhelmed with so much novelty.

Once they gain skills and age, we can start mixing and innovating more.

Here are some examples of breakfasts for 6-month-old babies that we have used for Pablo:

• Banana.

• Avocado.

• Strawberries.

• Kiwi

• Steamed apple

• Whole wheat toast with EVOO

Baby Led Weaning Breakfast ideas for babies 7, 8 and 9 months

Now, we can start mixing some ingredients to create more nutritionally balanced meals, especially as weaning baby is an essential milestone in their development.

Your baby will probably start eating three meals daily, preferably as a family.

You don’t always have to innovate. The key is to find 3 or 4 nutritionally potent breakfasts your baby likes and then make variations around them.

Here are some examples of what has worked for Pablo.

Here is our guide on introducing eggs to your baby if you want to check it out.

• Banana and blueberry oatmeal porridge with chia seeds, nut butter, and Ceylon cinnamon. –> The recipe

• Banana pancakes made with 1 egg, 1 ripe banana, spelt flour, and Ceylon Cinnamon

• Fruits with nut butter
• Avocado toast
• Soft-boiled egg with whole-grain toast and a side of sliced avocado
• Quinoa porridge with diced apples and cinnamon
• Scrambled eggs with diced bell peppers and mushrooms
• Sweet potato and black bean hash with a scrambled egg on top

Breakfast ideas for babies 10 and 11 months

At this point, weaning is pretty well introduced if your baby started eating solids at 6 or 7 months.

You can now offer smaller foods with more confidence, as you will enhance their fine motor skills.

His bite is probably more powerful, so you can start offering somewhat crunchier foods, such as steamed vegetables.

Remember, gagging is completely normal, so let your baby manage food autonomously as much as possible.

Here are our top 7 healthy baby breakfast ideas for 10 month olds:

• Divided plates FTW! Kiwi, tangerine, whole wheat spelt toast with tomato, a bit of boiled egg yolk and quartered grapes

• Whole wheat toast with avocado and poached egg
• Whole wheat English muffin with peanut butter and banana slices
• Whole wheat pita with hummus, diced vegetables, and fresh cheese
• Whole wheat pancakes with diced peaches and a bit of plain yogurt
• Breakfast burrito with scrambled eggs, black beans, avocado, fresh cheese, and diced vegetables
• Overnight oats

Breakfast ideas for babies 12 plus months

At this point, we can be much more flexible with sizes, portions, and mixtures.

We can begin to introduce more consistent dairy products such as cow’s or goat’s milk, more variety of cheeses (unsalted and made with pasteurized milk), and more yogurt!

• Whole wheat spelt toast, egg white and blueberries

• Grapes, Tangerine, Whole wheat toast with EVOO and plain yogurt with sugar free cereal and raisins

• Steamed apple with cinnamon and peanut butter, avocado toast with a bit of egg yolk and plain yogurt with sugar-free cereals

• French toast with peanut butter, banana and strawberry

• Breakfast quesadilla with canned tuna, soft mozarella cheese, corn and homemade tortilla

**Corn Kernels are considered a choking hazard, but our son had no problems with them when he was 12 months old, and he loved them. If you are unsure you can always mash them with some avocado and spread it in the tortilla.

Why breakfast for babies is essential

Eating breakfast has been linked to a variety of health benefits, not only for babies but for children as well.

Breakfast is essential for babies, providing the necessary fuel and nutrients to kickstart their day.

By six months old, babies can sleep through the night and will have gone without food for around 12 hours, making breakfast a crucial time for them to refuel.

Starting the day with a milk feed is common during the early stages of weaning, but as babies grow and develop, it’s important to encourage food first and milk later in the day. This way, babies are able to consume a wider range of nutrients that align with their growing body’s needs.

Eating breakfast has been linked to a variety of health benefits, not only for babies but for children as well. Studies have shown that children who eat well at breakfast time are more likely to perform better in school, with improved concentration and memory. Additionally, they are less likely to become overweight.

What makes a good bLW breakfast?

A good breakfast provides a balance of essential nutrients to fuel and nourish the body throughout the day. It should include a variety of foods from different food groups to ensure a balance of carbohydrates, protein, fats, vitamins, and minerals.

The five food groups that should be included in a well-rounded breakfast are:

• Starchy carbohydrates: Such as whole-grain bread or oatmeal
• Fruits: Fresh or cooked, these provide essential vitamins and minerals
• Beans, fish, eggs, meat: These provide protein and iron, which is important for the growth and development of babies
• Milk & dairy foods (+9-10 months): Such as yogurt and cheese, which provide calcium and other essential vitamins and minerals
• Oils and healthy fats: Such as avocado, nuts, and seeds, which provide healthy fats and energy

Why should you avoid sugary foods in your baby’s breakfast?

It’s not necessary to eliminate sweet foods from a baby’s breakfast, but it’s important to be mindful of the amount of sugar they contain.

Many of us choose sweet foods for our breakfast, such as cereals, juices, toast with jam, fruit, pastries, smoothies, pancakes, waffles, and sweet yogurts. While these options may seem tasty and convenient, it’s important to be aware of the amount of sugar they contain, especially when it comes to feeding babies.

Some foods, like whole pieces of fruit and natural yogurt, contain natural sugars that are not harmful in moderation. However, you should avoid ultra-processed foods at all costs.

Avoid giving babies excessive amounts of free sugars in their breakfast, as it can lead to a preference for sweet foods and a “sweet tooth,” making it easier for them to eat too much as they grow older. This can be a concern in terms of their overall health and development.

Recommended Products for Baby-Led Weaning at Breakfast Time

There are many products that will make your BLW journey easier. Here’s a list of the ones that are essential in our opinion:

1. A good quality and easy-to-clean high chair
2. 4 to 6 feeding bibs
3. A couple or three suction plates and bowls
4. Utensils 
5. A baby food steamer (optional but convenient)
6. Lots of patience and positive energy

Should you worry about gagging or choking?

Gagging is a normal and necessary part of learning how to eat and should not be a cause for worry.

Gagging and choking are common concerns when feeding babies, especially during the weaning process. However, it’s important to understand the difference between the two and their role in helping babies learn to eat.

Gagging is a normal reflex that all babies have as a protective mechanism. It’s a sign that their gag reflex, located near the front of their mouths, is working properly. Gagging is triggered by food and it’s a normal part of learning how to eat, as babies explore different textures, tastes and temperatures. Baby-led weaning (BLW) can help babies learn to manage their gag reflex by allowing them to self-feed and place food as far into their mouths as they feel comfortable.

Choking, on the other hand, is when something gets stuck in the airway and blocks breathing. Babies are at a greater risk of choking because they haven’t yet mastered chewing and certain foods, such as cherry tomatoes, whole grapes, popcorn, thick nut butters, crusty bread, hard apples, hard carrot, hot dogs, whole nuts, and giant blueberries, can increase the risk of choking. For more information, you may want to read our article on foods to avoid during BLW.

It’s important to supervise your baby during mealtimes and avoid offering foods known to be choking hazards.

However, it’s also important to remember that gagging is a normal and necessary part of learning how to eat and should not be a cause for worry.

Which foods should you avoid?

These foods are the ones you should always avoid during BLW. You may still offer them, but adapting the way you give them to your baby like you see in the picture.

1. Sphere-shaped foods: cherries, grapes, blueberries
2. Whole nuts and seeds
3. Raw carrots and apples
4. Hot dogs or sliced sausages
5. Corn kernels or popcorn

Conclusion

As you can see, the only limiting factor is your creativity when preparing a healthy and nutritious breakfast for your baby, no matter how old they are.

As we have said during the article, the fundamental thing is to come up with 3 or 4 breakfasts that appeal to and please your baby and then make variations and try to include other foods without varying others.

As always, try to encourage your baby’s autonomy and ability to choose by giving them a choice from 10 months onwards between some foods they already know.