Feeding Babies - 12 months

Feeding Lyla has been one of the biggest learning curves we have come across in her first year of life.  If you remember back in September I wrote a full post on homemade baby puree which is how we opted to first introduce solids. Lyla had teeth very early and was constantly biting/chewing things. For this reason I was worried to do full Baby Lead Weaning so purees were first then small bites of solids slowly followed. I'd say this was our standard feeding choice from age 6M to 9/10M. As Lyla got older and interested in more foods I started to mix things up a bit. I also wanted her to learn to feed herself instead of having me constantly spoon feed her for every meal. 

I did some research, talked with friends and put together a few standard meals I would make ahead of time to have ready for Lyla's breakfast & lunch. At dinner time Lyla always eats what we are having, very rarely does she eat something different unless what we are having is spicy. Below are a few ideas and easy simple recipes for feeding babies! (I am obviously not a doctor or nutritionist this is just what I have found works best for us!)

Lyla LOVES her fruit and veggies not a huge fan of breads or "dry" textures which is okay but I worry she is not getting enough substance in her meals. Plus, fruit makes the babe go poop about 5 times a day, we are spending WAY too much on diapers :) jk but I would like her to eat other things as well. 

Banana Spinach Avocado Cakes

1 banana

3 eggs

1/2 cup  spinach 

half avocado

1/2 cup oat flour

pinch of cinnamon 

Throw all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth. These cakes are very mushy, so beware. They won't have the same texture as pancakes because they don't have nearly enough flour in them but that's the point. Lyla gobbles these down every meal! I make a full batch and save them for 2-3 days in the fridge. Great choice for  breakfast or snacks! ps. for oat flour I just throw rolled oats in the blender and blend until they make a powder texture. 

Chia Pudding

2 cups of milk (any milk you'd like, I just chose oat milk this time)

6 tablespoons of chia seeds

3 tablespoons of natural maple syrup

1 tablespoon vanilla

raspberries & blueberries

I have been a huge fan of chia pudding for a long time. I shared it on instagram last summer because I literally ate it every single morning! I am back eating it in the mornings and  Lyla who always wants what mama has became just as obsessed. Put all ingredients (except fruit) into a large mason jar & shake. Put in the fridge for 24 hours. I typically shake it a time or two during that 24 hour period. Scoop enough into a little jar and add fresh berries! Super simple and yummy. Typically last 2-3 meals. ps for mamas portion I add granola as well (I don't for Lyla just yet). 

Banana Walnut Chocolate Chip Muffins

1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour

1 egg

3 or 4 ripe bananas

1/3 cup oil

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon cinnamon

handful chocolate chips (optional)

handful of walnuts (optional)

cook at 325 for 18-20 mins (the less time cooked the softer/musher the muffins are)

I got this recipe from my friend Jen who is master of creating banana muffins! I have been making these for the past two years but now more than ever. Even Sofia who is not really a muffin fan loves theme and asks for weekly for me to make more! There is no sugar but you'd really never know! You can make them with or without chocolate chips or walnuts. I always add the walnuts so Lyla gets used to nuts. (I crush them up small so nothing gets stuck in her throat) We have introduced nuts right at 6M in hopes to not have any allergies. Sometimes I add chocolate chips and sometimes I don't just depending if I want them more as a dessert or healthy snack.  I have also made these muffins with blueberries, raspberries, and cranberries...all are winners! 

Baby Omelettes

spinach

green pepper

onion

mushrooms

egg

milk

pepper

If your baby is having a hard time eating veggies id recommend these baby omelettes! Simply chop any veggies you'd like, quickly sautée in a fan, then add to a muffin tin.  Mix eggs and a bit of milk as if you are going to make scrambled eggs then poor egg mixture into the muffin tin until filled.  Pop  muffin tin into oven at 325 and cook 10-15 mins. I usually just eye it to see if the egg is cooked. 

Below are a few meals I typically put together for Lyla.  Lots of time we have left overs for lunch with a side of fruit or veggies. Recently Lyla has not become a fan of O's unless they are in her snack container, so we just adjust accordingly. 

green cake (see recipe above), grapes, oranges

green cakes, O's, kiwi

pasta noodles, oranges, blueberries

pasta noodles, carrots w/nutmeg, banana nut muffin

baby omelettes, shredded chicken, grapes

banana nut muffin, oranges, shredded chicken

spinach + cheese ravioli, carrots w/nutmeg, green grapes

grilled cheese (not always a favourite) green grapes, strawberries

banana egg cakes, raspberries, blueberries

Hope this helps give you some ideas of meals for your little one! If you have any recipes you'd like to share i'd love to hear!