Baby-led weaning · age-specific guide
Stracciatella spoon for 12–24 months
Practical prep ideas for babies and toddlers 12–24 months. Always supervise meals, watch for allergens, and adjust shapes to your baby's skills.
dairyChoking: lowProtein-rich
How to serve at 12–24 months
Cheese cubes if soft and low-sodium; yogurt bowls with soft toppings.
Lower-risk serving reminders
- Keep pieces soft and large enough to grasp for self-feeding.
- Avoid over-drying food; moisture helps safe chewing and swallowing.
- Stay nearby and watch paced bites even with lower-risk foods.
Allergen introduction checklist
- Introduce new foods in the daytime so you can watch for reactions.
- When introducing a new allergen, keep it as the only new food for that meal.
- If tolerated, repeat the food regularly in small amounts.
- This food is linked to one or more major allergens in the directory — start with a very small taste and monitor.
General feeding checklist
- Seat baby upright and stable for all meals.
- Model slow chewing and allow baby to control pace.
- Stop and reset if baby is upset, tired, or over-stuffed.
Readiness signs to check
- Baby can sit upright with minimal support during meals.
- Hands and mouth coordinate for bringing food to the mouth.
- Tongue-thrust reflex is reduced, so food is not immediately pushed out.
- Interest in self-feeding and opening mouth for food cues is visible.
Pause and seek advice if
- Coughing is persistent or distress does not settle quickly during meals.
- You notice repeated vomiting, rash, swelling, wheeze, or breathing changes after a food.
- Baby struggles with swallowing progression over multiple meals despite texture adjustments.
- There is a known medical condition affecting feeding, growth, or airway safety.
Allergens to be aware of
Milk (dairy)
Other ages: 6–8 months · 9–11 months