HOW TO PREPARE CARROT FOR WEANING

How to Prepare Carrot for Weaning

There are a number of different ways to prepare and serve carrots for your weaning baby.

How to Make Carrot Puree for Babies

Puree is a great first food that can be used for both traditional and baby-led weaning. It’s up to you if you spoon-feed the puree to your little one or let them work on their coordination skills with baby-led weaning by leaving them in control of the spoon - although this can get messy! 

If the puree is completely smooth, it can be enjoyed from around 4-5 months old as a first taste food. From 6 months, the puree can be left a bit chunkier for baby-led weaning. For baby-led weaning, the carrot can be added to a slice of toast or flatbread for a self-feeding option. 
 

1. Peel your carrots and slice in half lengthways. 
2. Cut each half of the carrots into chunks about 0.5cm thick. 
3. Boil or steam the carrots in a saucepan for 10–12 minutes until completely soft.
4. Add the carrots and 3 tablespoons of boiled water into a food processor and blitz until smooth. Alternatively, use a hand blender and blend until completely smooth. 

To make the puree more exciting, and to introduce new flavours to your little one, try adding in some different seasonings. Try thyme, rosemary, cumin, black pepper or coriander powder with carrot. 

Carrot Finger Food for Babies from Six Months

Finger foods are key to baby-led weaning, and carrot is one of the best options for this - carrot sticks are basically the quintessential finger food item! 

In the earlier stages of weaning, your baby should be able to hold finger foods in their fist, so carrot sticks or batons are ideal for this. 

From 6-14 months, the carrots should be soft enough for you to squidge with your fingers, but firm enough to hold its shape, so your baby can eat it without the need for teeth! 

Steaming Carrot Sticks

While you can boil carrot sticks, steaming is a better method, as it helps to keep more of the antioxidants and vitamins in the carrot. 

1. Peel carrot and cut into batons. 
2. Add the carrot sticks to a steamer and steam for 5-10 minutes until soft and tender. 

Roasting Carrot Sticks

Roasting carrots can offer some new and exciting flavours and textures. When carrots are roasted, the natural sugars inside are caramelised, adding extra tastes to your little one’s palate. And with a crisper exterior and softer interior, a roasted carrot also has some intriguing new textures for your baby to explore. 

1. Peel the carrots and cut into batons. 
2. Place the carrots onto a roasting tray in an even layer and drizzle with olive oil. Do not season with salt if baby is under 12 months old.  
3. Roast in the oven for 30 minutes at 200 degrees Celsius.

Carrot Finger Food for 9 Months+

At 9 months, your little one is likely more confident and capable with actions like bringing food to their mouths, chewing and swallowing. At this time, the carrot can be cut into smaller chunks, allowing them to practice picking things up with a pincer grasp (thumb and finger). 

The carrot should still be softened before serving at this point to avoid choking and making it easier to gum. Remember, carrots are quite crunchy, and your little one probably won’t have all their teeth yet! 

Carrot peel or shreds can be offered raw at this time as the pieces are small enough to be enjoyed with less of a choking risk, although you should still keep a close eye on your little one when offering raw carrot.
 

Carrot Cubes for Babies

1. Peel the carrots and cut into bite-sized chunks. 
2. Steam the carrot chunks for 5-10 minutes until softened.

Carrot Peel for Babies

1. Wash the carrots and peel off the outer skin with a vegetable peeler. 
2. Use the vegetable peeler to peel off thin strips of carrot. 

Grated Carrot Shreds for Babies

1. Wash the carrots and peel off the outer skin. 
2. Use a grater to shred the carrot. 

Carrot Finger Food for 14 Months+

When you offer your little one raw carrot whole will depend on the number of teeth they have and the chewing and biting skills they display. 

If your baby has enough teeth and strong chewing skills, then whole bits of raw carrot can start being introduced around 14 months. 

You can start with a whole peeled carrot and allow them to hold the veggie and gnaw on it! Just keep an eye to make sure chunks don’t splinter off and pose a choking hazard. 

Here at Babease, we love carrots! If you would like an easier way of offering your little one the scrumptious tastes of carrots, you can shop our pouches which are packed with this flavourful ingredient.

Sweet Potato, Carrot & Cauliflower

Butternut Squash, Carrot & Broccoli

Parsnip, Carrot & Kale