Baby-Led Weaning On-The-Go
Here’s my best mom hack: Keep your kitchen clean by eating outside!
Baby-Led Weaning (BLW) is a method of introducing solid foods to babies where purees and spoon-feeding are skipped entirely in favour of finger foods that a baby-self feeds.
In my experience, the BLW approach is perfectly suited to an active lifestyle. When your little one is eating mostly finger foods, there is no need to remember to pack utensils, and often they can have the same snacks (or at least similar) as you!
It’s easy to get stuck in snack ruts (GUILTY!), but the BLW approach encourages offering new eaters many kinds of foods with different textures and flavours. I try to keep this in mind while preparing and packing snacks for my 15-month-old daughter, Juniper. Obviously, the snacks evolve based on her age, skills development, preference and season but I have listed our favourites below:
Note: Not all of these suggestions will work for all babies. Please make sure you are familiar with and follow all safety recommendations. For information, safety guidelines, recipe ideas and BLW resources, we love Solid Starts!
Fruit: A great snack choice! It’s hydrating, packed full of vitamins and minerals, and almost guaranteed to be a “fave”! I like to pack bananas, mandarin oranges and berries. If I have a little more time to prep, cooked apple and pear slices with cinnamon are a treat!
Pancakes: These are a staple in my house! We make a big batch at breakfast and then take the leftovers to go. Mix the following ingredients together and fry 1.5” rounds in a pan over medium heat:
1 mashed banana (1 cup of fruit puree works as a substitute)
1 egg
1/3 cup flour
1/3 cup quick oats
Cheese: Shred or cut into strips, depending on your baby’s age. Solid Starts recommends you choose cheese that is: pasteurized, low-sodium (less than 100mg/serving), made from whole milk, and produced by a reputable source (no antibiotics or added hormones).
Mini Muffins: Make a big batch and freeze some for future adventures! It’s nice to have quick, healthy snacks to grab when you are in a hurry. Plus they keep well for longer days or trips. There are so many great recipes to be found online!
Mini Peanut Butter Sandwiches: Make peanut butter (or any unsweetened nut/seed butter!) sandwich on soft sliced bread, remove crusts and then cut into bite size pieces!
Pasta: It’s a bit messy but a good choice if you are going to be out for longer and want to give more than a snack. I like to make fusilli because it’s easy for baby to grip and hold, with a bit of tomato sauce and/or ricotta cheese to cover. To be honest, I don’t even bother warming it up!
Roasted Veggies: Roast or steam strips of carrots, parsnips, beets or sweet potatoes until soft for a simple and healthy choice.
Meatballs: Make these ahead of time, let cool and then pack up as a quick, protein-packed power snack! You may want an ice-pack to keep them cool in the summer or if you plan to be out all day.
Pouches & Snacks: There is absolutely nothing wrong with stocking your pantry with these store-bought items. They are super easy to grab-and-go in a hurry, but the cost can add up! My top choices are the Baby Gourmet Fruit & Veggie Plus pouches and Fruit & Veggie Oat Bars. Honestly, Juniper probably likes these more than any of the snacks I make her (ouch!)
For a half-day hike or cross-country ski, I try to find a flat, protected spot (from sun, wind or rain - depending on the day) where Juniper can sit on a blanket or coat to eat her snack. If we are out for a full-day or overnight adventure, there are a few pieces of gear I have found to be handy!:
Bib: I probably don’t have to tell you this, but babies can be messy! I like a silicone pocket bib. It is light-weight, durable, and easy to clean.
“Bento Box” Container: These partitioned containers allow you to pack, store and serve an entire snack or meal composed of different food items, just like you would at home.
Portable High Chair: Look for the style that can clamp onto picnic tables, like the Perch Chair or Lobster Chair. These are heavy but I have found carrying the extra weight worth it! We took ours on both backcountry camping trips over the summer, and found that it made it easy to keep Juniper contained and safe while eating meals.
Wipes: Last but not least, don’t forget to pack some wipes for clean-up and to make sure to pack out all your garbage with you!
I’m no BLW expert, but I do hope this helps you feel more comfortable taking snacks and meals on the go.
