3 Things to Think About When Building Baby’s Plate
Practical BLW Tips for Safe, Simple Meals That Actually Work
Practical prep trumps perfect plates every time.
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You know that moment when you set down your baby’s plate… and immediately second-guess everything?
✨ Is this enough?
✨ Is it too beige?
✨ Is it the right combo?
✨ Am I totally messing this up?
You’re not alone.
This episode is for the parent staring at a tray wondering if their baby’s meal is “doing it right.” Let’s ditch the plate pressure and anchor into three simple thoughts that make building a baby-led weaning plate feel a whole lot easier (and actually more supportive for your baby, too).
1. Start Small and Build
One food is enough to begin.
Monday can be banana.
Tuesday, add avocado.
By Friday, maybe toast fingers.
That slow ramp-up is not only okay — it’s ideal.
Repetition builds familiarity. Familiarity builds confidence. Confidence leads to joyful eating.
I once worked with a mom who prepped a full rainbow sampler for Day One — eight different foods in tiny silicone cups. It looked stunning. Ten minutes later? Tray flipped, oatmeal in the hair, and tears on both sides. When she scaled back to one food per meal, everything changed.
🔁 Simplicity is not lazy. It’s a gift to your baby’s nervous system.
They learn to eat the same way they learn to talk — not with an entire dictionary, but with one word (or one banana stick) at a time.
2. Use the “Gentle Trio”: Iron • Produce • Fat
When you’re ready for more than one food, here’s your simple cheat sheet:
Iron – Scrambled egg, lentils, shredded chicken
Produce – Steamed broccoli, roasted pear, mashed banana
Fat – Avocado, olive oil drizzle, full-fat yogurt
✅ Scrambled eggs + avocado + soft pear
✅ Lentils + roasted zucchini + olive oil
✅ Oatmeal + peanut butter + banana
You don’t need to hit the full trio every single time. It balances out over the week.
Bonus: allergen-friendly foods like egg and peanut can count toward the trio. Scrambled egg covers fat and iron. Peanut powder in yogurt? Also a win.
And no — your baby doesn’t need protein at every single meal. They still get most nutrition from milk/formula. Iron-rich foods are as much about learning as they are about nutrients.
3. Serve Tiny Portions
Your baby’s stomach = about the size of their fist.
✨ Two finger-length strips of each food is plenty.
✨ Think tasting flight, not Thanksgiving buffet.
✨ No need for a kitchen scale — just let your baby lead.
Babies know when they’re done. They’ll turn away, zip their lips, or hand-wave “I’m outta here.”
Respecting those cues now helps preserve their natural hunger signals for the long haul.
Want to offer more? Wait for signs:
Baby leans forward
Opens wide
Reaches for more
Then? Offer one or a couple more pieces.
Less waste, less pressure, more learning.
A Real-Life BLW Plate (in 5 Minutes)
🥕 Leftover roasted chicken
🥑 Half an avocado
🥕 Prepped steamed carrots
Iron? ✅
Produce? ✅
Fat? ✅
Slice into finger-sized strips.
Drizzle olive oil if you’re feeling fancy. Done. No spreadsheets.
Or maybe it’s 6am and all you have is oatmeal.
➡ Stir in iron-fortified baby cereal.
➡ Swirl in peanut butter.
➡ Add mashed banana or serve it on the side.
That’s a full meal. That counts.
Your Baby Doesn’t Need Pinterest.
They need food, love, and space to explore.
If your baby’s plate has oats and banana on repeat this week? That’s fine. If the broccoli gets more floor time than belly time? Still fine. You are building trust and skills. That’s what counts.
Your Recap:
🟡 Start with one food. Build slowly.
🟢 Use the Iron + Produce + Fat trio as a simple guide.
🔵 Keep portions small — let your baby lead.
❤️ Progress is built bite by bite, not with a rainbow every day.
Want More Support?
✨ Orientation Day: Baby-Led Weaning 101 is almost here!
📅 Live on June 25, 26, and 28
🎥 Free live class + replay
💬 I'll teach you everything you need to start solids with calm, clarity, and confidence.
Save your seat now: babyledweaningacademy.com/od
If today’s episode helped ease the plate pressure, would you share it with a friend who’s also googling “how to BLW without losing your mind”?
You’ve got this, mama — and I’ve got you.
Until next time, keep it simple, keep it safe, and let your baby lead the way. 💛