9 best baby food books

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Growth overviews

Understand your little one’s nutritional needs with chapters that cover developmental changes.

Baby-focused foods

Try out a massive variety of recipes covering smooth purees, chunky purees, smoothies, finger foods, and toddler meals.

Family-friendly meals

Get your little one eating with the whole family thanks to recipes for complete meals they can share.

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Stage 1: Typically Ages 6 to 8 Months

Baby, your table is ready! There are so many exciting “firsts” with your baby, and starting solids is one of the biggest.

Stage 2: Typically Ages 8 to 10 Months

Now that your baby has become comfortable with Stage 1 foods, it’s time to introduce Stage 2 foods, with thicker textures that serve as the bridge between creamy pureed foods and soft finger foods.

Stage 3: Typically Ages 9 to 12 Months

The next phase of your baby’s culinary journey introduces finger foods—firm yet squishable foods that your baby can pick up using their thumb and forefinger and easily chew. Finger foods help build independence and fine motor skills by letting your baby self-feed.

Easy Family Dinners: 12 Months and Older

Once your child masters the pincer grasp and feeds themselves, your whole family can eat the same meal together. You’ll find easy dinner recipes the whole family will love, with modifications as needed to make them safe for your toddler.

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Broccoli and Ham Egg Muffins from Baby-Led Feeding

These savory little bites have a lot going for them. They’re ideal any time of day—breakfast, lunch, snack, or dinner. They’re portable: Tote them to daycare or just out and about. And they are also easily customizable. Instead of broccoli and ham finely chop 1¼ cups cooked veggies and/or meat to use up what’s in your fridge. If your mini-muffin cups are on the larger side, this will make 12 muffins; if the cups are smaller, you may be able to make more.

Directions:

1 Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray 12 mini-muffin cups with nonstick cooking spray.

2 Stir together the broccoli and ham. Divide evenly among the muffin cups.

3 In a medium measuring cup, whisk together the eggs and pepper to taste. Pour the eggs over the broccoli mixture in the muffin cups, dividing them evenly.

4 Bake for 25 minutes, or until set. Cool in the muffin cups for 10 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Make Ahead: Refrigerate for up to 3 days. Serve cold, at room temperature, or briefly reheated.

Nutrition per serving (1 muffin): 123 calories; 11g protein; 8g fat (3g sat. fat); 1g carbohydrates; 0g fiber; 0g sugars; 149mg sodium; 53mg calcium; 1.6mg iron; 147mg potassium; 7mg vitamin C; 572IU vitamin A

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Only the best for your baby with healthy and delicious recipes

Photographs for recipes in every age group!

Organic Food 101

Learn how to shop organic on a budget, decipher the labels, and other low-toxin living tips!

Hybrid Feeding Approach

Includes baby-led weaning recipes to develop baby’s motor skills, regulate their appetite, and encourage self-feeding.

First-Time Parent Advice

Tips and tricks as well as common mistakes to avoid in achieving feeding success.

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Hand-Squished Roasted Tomato Sauce (full recipe - instructions, ingredients)

Instructions:

1. Adjust oven rack to upper-middle position and heat oven to 425 degrees. Line rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Working over bowl, squeeze each tomato half to remove seeds and excess juice; discard seeds and juice. Transfer tomatoes to large bowl. Stir in garlic, 1 tablespoon oil, sugar, and 1 teaspoon salt; transfer to prepared sheet, arranging tomatoes cut side up in even layer.
3. Bake until tomatoes are very soft and starting to brown around edges, 20 to 25 minutes. Transfer sheet to wire rack and let tomatoes cool slightly, about 5 minutes.
4. Carefully transfer tomatoes, garlic, and any accumulated juices from sheet to food processor. Process until smooth, about 1 minute, scraping down bowl as needed. Transfer sauce to clean bowl and stir in remaining 1 tablespoon oil and basil. Season with salt to taste. Serve.

HOW YOUR CHILD CAN HELP

• Squeeze tomatoes in step 2C
• ombine tomatoes with oil and garlic and arrange on baking sheet in step 2T
• ear basil leaves into pieces for step 4

Adventurous Combinations

A collection of mashes and purees that combine ingredients – everything from fruits and vegetables and grains to dairy, meat, and even fish.

“Great recipe with good ingredients. Love introducing brown rice to my grandbaby.” – Grandparent of 9-month-old, on Chicken, Carrot, and Brown Rice

Family Meals

A chapter full of recipes that are easy to make, attractive to a wide range of ages, and, most important, flexible!

“Our kids loved the chicken and the sweet potatoes. Have never attempted kale with them and all were reluctant at first, but everyone ate it.” – Parent of 5-year-old, 3-year-old, and 16-month-old, on One-Pan Chicken with Kale and Sweet Potatoes

Finger Foods

A chapter of fun food easy for toddlers to eat with their hands. These recipes are tasty AND easy to make!

“My nine-month-old dove into this recipe and ate with gusto! It was pleasant to encounter a recipe that is simple, child-friendly, and relatively quick.” – Parent of 3-year-old and 9-month old, on Cheesy Rigatoni

Celebrations

This chapter is full of recipes for gathering, from classic birthdays and small treats to healthy toddler-friendly options.

“I loved not needing extra equipment to make this applesauce. And then the whipped cream gave it a festive air!” – Parent of 2-year-old, on Applesauce with Whipped Cream

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Family meals

Invite your little one to the table to share what everyone else is eating as you successfully introduce them to solid foods.

Guidance for safe weaning

Learn how to identify and avoid any allergies or food sensitivities your baby might have, which ingredients to avoid altogether, and how to prep food safely.

26 Food profiles

Find complete overviews of the top 26 natural foods for baby-led weaning, with photos, nutrition facts, and easy serving size guidance.