Good Lunches for Babies Who Are Eating Table Food
Introducing your baby to table food around 9 months old allows your little one to incorporate a variety of new tastes and textures into her diet, according to the Nemours' Foundation children's health website, KidsHealth.org. Keep in mind that although your baby may be eager to try lots of yummy lunch foods -- particularly if she sees her older siblings eating them at the lunch table -- not every table food is appropriate or safe for a baby. Be sure that any food you serve is soft, easily gummed and cut in 1/2-inch square pieces. Remember that 2 to 4 tablespoons of a food is considered a serving size for a 9-month-old baby, according to the Children's Hospital at Stanford.
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Go Mexican
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Even though your baby may not be able to hold a taco together, many homemade versions of healthy taco fillings are thick enough for babies to spoon feed themselves without spilling and the risk of choking. Mash 1/3 ripe avocado with one teaspoon of very mild, non-chunky salsa and pair it with a few tablespoons of low-fat refried beans or even a handful of fully cooked black beans if her pincher grasp is developed enough. Skip the crunchy chips or tortillas, as these aren't safe for a young baby to chew.
Fish Fanatic
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Even if you dislike white fish or salmon, the light, easily-chewed nature of fish makes it a good item for lunches of babies over 12 months. Cut up a small section of the fillet and serve it in 1/2-inch sized pieces. Add a little lemon on the top and a side of 1/2-inch sections of thoroughly steamed green beans. Avoid adding things like mayonnaise or butter to veggies or meats, as these add no nutritional value. Most babies are relatively willing to try fresh fish and greens now than then they are in another year as toddlers.
Fruit Fanatic
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While some fruits, such as oranges and apples aren't safe for a young baby, there's still a variety of fruit platters you can serve that your little one will love. Start with soft, easy-to-chew foods like 1/2 chunks of ripe banana and ripe mango or fresh raspberries. Serve with a side of small-curd cottage cheese or vanilla yogurt. If she's old enough, let her practice feeding herself with the spoon.
Winner Winner Chicken Lunch
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Take roasted or broiled chicken or turkey from last night's dinner and repurpose it for lunchtime fun. Tear off thin sections of cold cuts or chicken breast that measure no more than 1/2 square-inch. Remember that unlike soft cheese or fruits, meat is harder for your baby to mash down with her gums so take extra care in making the pieces small and tender. Serve appropriately-sized sections of baked apples or applesauce with your baby's chicken dish. Never serve hot dogs or large chunks of meat as these can be a choking hazard.
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