Chicken, Green beans and Pasta

Prep

Cook chicken fully, then purée smooth or finely shred and moisten with breast milk, formula, broth, or a vegetable purée so it isn't dry. Pairing it with a vitamin-C food can help the body use its iron. As an iron-rich first food, it's a good early option.

Cut

Smooth purée, or fine moist shreds.

Prep

Steam, boil, or roast green beans until very soft, soft enough to squish between two fingers. Serve them warm as a finger-length spear the baby can hold, or chop and mash into a thick purée.

Cut

Whole soft-cooked bean as a finger-length spear, or finely chopped and mashed.

Prep

Cook pasta until very soft, well past al dente, and serve plain or with a smooth, low-salt sauce. Larger soft shapes like penne or fusilli are easy to grab; you can also mash it. Wheat pasta is a common allergen, so offer it on its own first. Enriched pasta adds iron and folate.

Cut

Serve large soft shapes whole for grabbing, or mash. Cut long pasta into short pieces so it does not dangle. Keep small shapes lightly mashed.