Learn the easiest way to prepare avocado BLW style—or for baby-led weaning. With tips on how to make this nutritious food less slippery and easier to eat for babies, this post will answer everything you need to serve avocado to babies.
Avocado BLW
Avocado is a classic early baby food because it’s loaded with beneficial fats that babies need for brain development, it’s a perfect soft texture, and it has a mellow flavor. It’s a great first food if doing purees or baby-led weaning, the style of feeding where we let baby feed themselves soft, safe foods from the start.
There are just a few things to know to make feeding avocado to baby a little easier, so all of those tips are included here for you.
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Avocado for Baby Benefits
Avocado contains mainly monounsaturated and polyunsaturated healthy fats, fiber, protein, and potassium, among other nutrients, which makes it a wonderful option for babies. (And kids of any age.)
Ingredients You Need
To prepare avocado for baby, you just need a ripe avocado. When buying one at the store, look for a fruit that has just a little give when you press on the skin. Or buy one that’s firm and allow to ripen on the counter until just soft to the touch.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Here’s a look at how to prepare and cut an avocado to serve baby-led weaning style. Scroll down to the end of this post for additional specifics and information. To start, wash the avocado thoroughly and dry. Use a small knife to cut around the avocado lengthwise. Twist open the halves. Set down the half without the pit. Press the knife into the pit on the other half, twist, and remove the pit. Discard.
- Cut finger-size pieces of avocado, with the skin on. Offer to baby one at a time. Model for baby which side to suck on if needed.
- I prefer to leave the skin on to help the avocado hold together, but you can also peel it if you prefer.
- You can also peel the avocado and cut with a zig zag slicer or crinkle cutter. That type of cutter adds more texture to the slice, which makes it easier to pick up and hold.
- You can also mash the avocado with a fork and spread on toast or feed with a preloaded spoon.
Avocado Puree
It’s incredibly easy to make a fast baby food puree using avocado, either in a blender or with a fork, if you want to offer that to baby on a spoon. You can load the spoon and hand it to baby to feed themselves as another easy BLW option.
Find the full information on how to make Avocado Puree when you need it during the starting solids process.
How to Store
To store, rub lime or lemon juice onto the cut part of the avocado or the avocado slices to reduce browning. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or parchment paper and store in a storage bag or container in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Or you can place into a freezer bag and freeze for future use.
Best Tips for Success
- You can mash ripe avocado with a fork and serve mashed avocado to baby on a preloaded spoon as a simple puree.
- You can also mash ripe avocado until it has a creamy texture onto a strip of lightly toasted bread as another BLW option. Toast strips are a great way for baby to easily grip food and feed themselves.
- Sprinkle the flesh of the avocado with sesame seeds or hemp seeds or breadcrumbs if the slices are proving to be too slippery. Any of those can help reduce the slipperiness.
- Sprinkle slices with lime juice or a favorite spice or herb for additional flavor.
Related Recipes
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Avocado BLW (Best Tips)
Ingredients
- 1 medium avocado (ripe)
Instructions
- Wash the avocado thoroughly and dry.
- Use a small knife to cut around the avocado lengthwise. Twist open the halves. Set down the half without the pit. Press the knife into the pit on the other half, twist, and remove the pit. Discard.
- Cut finger-size pieces of avocado, with the skin on. Offer to baby one at a time. (I prefer to leave the skin on to help the avocado hold together. Model for baby which side to suck on if needed.)
- You can also peel the avocado and cut with a zigzag slicer or crinkle cutter. That type of cutter adds more texture to the slice, which makes it easier to pick up and hold.
Equipment
Notes
- To store, rub lime or lemon juice onto the cut part of the avocado to reduce browning. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or parchment paper and store in a storage bag or container in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Or you can place into a freezer bag and freeze for future use.
- You can also mash ripe avocado with a fork and serve to baby on a preloaded spoon as a simple puree.
- You can also mash ripe avocado onto a strip of lightly toasted bread as another BLW option.
- Sprinkle with sesame seeds or hemp seeds or breadcrumbs if the slices are proving to be too slippery. Any of those can help reduce the slipperiness.
- Sprinkle slices with lime juice or a favorite spice or herb for additional flavor.
