{"id":11354,"date":"2023-05-31T13:03:23","date_gmt":"2023-05-31T13:03:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.babyledfeeding.com\/?post_type=recipe&p=11354"},"modified":"2024-01-23T16:59:28","modified_gmt":"2024-01-23T16:59:28","slug":"how-to-make-mac-and-cheese-muffins-for-baby-led-weaning","status":"publish","type":"recipe","link":"https:\/\/www.babyledfeeding.com\/recipe\/how-to-make-mac-and-cheese-muffins-for-baby-led-weaning\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Make Mac and Cheese Muffins for Baby-Led Weaning"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

These Carrot Mac and Cheese Muffins are an amazing first food for baby led weaning. Pasta sauce can be super messy for babies starting weaning but when served in this way, it really minimises the mess. I added steamed carrots to my sauce, but you can add cooked cauliflower or butternut squash too. This keeps the sauce a wonderful cheesy colour while still packing in lots of extra nutrients.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Baby-Led Weaning How to Get Started<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Baby-led weaning involves offering your baby soft, easy-to-grasp finger foods instead of purees. Start with foods that are easy to chew and swallow, like cooked vegetables, soft fruits, and safe meat and fish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is completely normal to feel anxious about starting weaning your baby. As your baby reaches that six-month mark you will probably find yourself researching all the different ways you will start to introduce solid food. The baby-led weaning method is what my recipes are focused around and will help those little hands take control of food, all on their own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I wrote a really detailed blog post on my favourite tips to help you get started here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n

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First baby food at 6 months<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

So what is the first food baby should eat? Baby Led weaning can seem like a scary way to feed your baby, especially if you have done traditional weaning previously, or maybe it\u2019s your first baby and you just don\u2019t know what to start with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the best things you can do is start weaning slowly! Let your baby show you their capabilities and remember both of you are learning. It\u2019s a journey and it takes time to get to the destination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Start with a few spears of softly roasted vegetables that you can squash between between your finger and thumb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When your baby has shown you just how amazing they are at eating all on their own you can then serve these delicious Carrot Mac and Cheese Muffins as a first finger food recipe. They are really soft and so safe, but if you are in any way worried about serving these to your little one, start with the soft veggies first.<\/p>\n\n\n

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How to Make Mac and Cheese Muffins for Baby-Led Weaning<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You are going to love just how easy this recipe is to make. I blended cooked carrots into the milk, but you can also add cooked cauliflower or butternut squash too. It adds a whole lot more goodness into a yummy bite.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Melt the butter and stir in the flour. It\u2019s important to cook this for a few moments as it takes away the taste of flour in the finished sauce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Cheese can babies eat?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Soft, pasteurized cheeses like cottage cheese, cream cheese, goat cheese and ricotta are safe for babies to eat. It\u2019s important to avoid any cheese made from unpasteurized milk, as it can contain harmful bacteria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cheddar cheese can be quite high in sodium so choose brands that are mild and low sodium and always use small amounts if your baby is under 12 months. This recipe uses just 1 cup (80g) in 24 portions which is a very, very small amount.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Other great Finger Foods for Baby Led Weaning<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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  • Quinoa Vegetable and Cheesy Baby Bites<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Egg-Free Baby Led Weaning Banana Bread<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Broccoli and Cheesy First Muffins for Baby Led Weaning<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • BLW My Baby\u2019s First Pasta Sauce<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don\u2019t forget to tag a photo @babyledfeeding<\/a> on Instagram. All the love, Aileen \ud83e\udd70<\/p>\n\n\n\n