Peanut Butter Toast

I always tell people that if they're going to do baby-led solids then they need to offer their babies nutritious, healthy foods. I'm shocked to hear stories of people who claim to be doing baby-led solids regularly giving their babies junk food. I am passionate about Buttercup loving healthy food. That is why I almost always give her fruits and veggies, and portions from our own healthily prepared meals. Sometimes, though, there is no food in the house. And for those times I am thankful for peanut butter toast. This isn't a regular food of Buttercup's, but I do bust it out when I haven't got much to offer her in the protein department. I use Smucker's natural PB, because it only has one ingredient (peanuts, duh), and I put it on whatever whole wheat toast I happen to have on hand. 

I mention in my previous post on spreads that the American Academy of Pediatrics has lifted their allergy "ban" on peanut butter for babies. If you have a family history then be more cautious than I am. I do make sure that I don't spread the peanut butter too thick, as that could gunk up the windpipe. 

When Buttercup was 6ish months, I would give her long strips of toast (look how teensy she was!) to make it easier for her to handle. But, now I cut one-inch squares for her. It is easier for her to eat, and less messy since she isn't squishing peanut butter in her fists. 

Buttercup does love her peanut butter and will eat 3/4 of a slice of peanut butter toast, all the while making smacking noises with her lips. Very funny. And, in case you're wondering if toast is too hard for babies without teeth? The answer is "no." Babies have so much drool in their mouths that toast instantaneously turns to mush. 

PROS: good source of protein and easy to prepare

CONS: messy hands

Spreads

Along with rice cakes, toast makes a good carrier for spreads. Other spreads worth trying are: smashed avocado, smashed banana, cream cheese, and thinly spread peanut butter. Interesting to note that the American Association of Pediatrics has changed their recommendations on delaying giving peanut butter to children under a year. That practice hasn't been shown to reduce peanut allergies in children so pediatricians have lifted the advice. The only thing to keep an eye out for with peanut butter is its consistency. If you put too much on, it can be too thick for your little one to safely manage without gagging and possibly choking.

By the way, we use Smucker's natural peanut butter. One ingredient = good. Although I think cream cheese is a good idea, we are waiting on that one because of the "cheese incident." Since discovering an easier way to serve bananas and avocados we haven't done as much of those as spreads, but I would recommend them to babies having issues with hand-mouth coordination.

PROS: a great way to boost nutritional value of grain foods and add variety

CONS: messy.

Toast

I toasted myself some whole wheat bread for a PB&J lunch, and a little scrap of heel fell off in the toaster. I thought, "perfect size for baby!" I know some people have qualms about introducing wheat products to babies under a year due to possible allergies, but Hubby and I are both non-allergic-types, and I didn't think that Buttercup would end up swallowing much of it at this stage anyway. So, I handed it over.

I've read that toast is better for BLS than bread, as the bread can get mushy and stuck to the roof of baby's mouth. I have to admit I was still a little nervous about that, but Buttercup didn't really seem to have much of an issue with it. She gagged maybe once?

I've been meaning to mention: Buttercup has no teeth. Didn't know if you were wondering that or not...Teeth are not necessary equipment for baby-led solids.

PROS: I imagine this will be a good grain staple in future, especially with healthy toppings as Buttercup grows
CONS: A tiny bit nerve-wracking for the BLS newbie

P.S. Have you noticed how happy Buttercup looks in all these pics? I like it.