If you’re wondering how to serve broccoli to your baby you’ve come to the right place. Broccoli is a really important veg that will ensure your baby is getting all the Vitamin C he or she needs. Find out here how to serve broccoli to your baby, the answers to other commonly asked questions and a list of our favourite recipes that use broccoli including muffins, fritters and pasta dishes!
How to Serve Broccoli to Baby
Broccoli is a nutrient-rich vegetable that can be introduced to babies from six months old. Here’s how you can serve broccoli to your baby:
Preparation: Wash the broccoli thoroughly and remove any tough outer leaves. Steam or boil the broccoli until it becomes soft and easily mashable. Steaming is preferred so the veg can retain more of its nutrients, but if you don’t have a steamer, boiling is fine.
Cutting: Cut the cooked broccoli into small florets or mash it into a suitable texture for your baby’s age and chewing abilities. This will largely depend on whether your baby is following the baby led weaning method or is traditionally weaning.
Serving: Allow the broccoli to cool down to an appropriate temperature before offering it to your baby.
What’s the best steamer to use?
You can choose a stand alone steamer or one that sits on your stove top. Both have their own pros and cons, but we always used a stand alone three tiered steamer so we could steam in bulk. Batch cooking was always important to me when I was weaning my babies.
What are the Health Benefits of Offering Broccoli to Your Baby?
Broccoli is such an amazing food to offer to your baby and by offering it early on, you’ll make sure that they’re a fan for life. Even now at three and six years old, both my boys choose broccoli as their veg of choice. Felix even goes as far to have broccoli as a snack!
Broccoli is amazing for you because:
- It’s a good source of fibre which may help to prevent constipation – a common complaint for weaning babies
- Packed full of Vitamin C for a healthy immune system
- Also contains Vitamins A, B, E and K!
- A fantastic source of iron, something your baby needs to get from food sources after six months+
- Contains calcium – vital for bone and teeth health
- Also contains potassium, selenium and magnesium – all vital for supporting your baby’s health.
Our favourite baby led weaning products
- Easy to disassemble and carry along.
- Safety belt included.Recommended for indoor use
- MUNCHKIN SPOON SET: This essential baby feeding set of 6 spoons combines a smart baby weaning spoon design with flexible tips and long handles. Suitable for 4 months and over
- VERSATILE BABY PLASTIC SPOONS: Coming in six vibrant colours, the soft tips of the baby and toddler spoons are flexible yet strong. Featuring ergonomically designed easy-grip handles
- EASY CARE BABY FOOD SPOONS: These durable toddler and baby feeding spoons are top rack dishwasher safe and BPA-free. Great for boys or girls, for picnics, lunchboxes, at home or on the go
- THE PERFECT SIZE FOR LITTLE MOUTHS: The shallow spoon bowl is comfortable for babies and young children, and the soft tips are gentle on gums. Long handles are great for easier high chair feeding
- PART OF THE MUNCHKIN WEANING RANGE: Complete your baby weaning set with the Munchkin infant feeding and dinnerware range for babies and toddlers. Discover our matching plates, bowls and sippy cups
- Eco-Friendly Material: Baby weaning set is made from sustainable bamboo, ensuring a safe and environmentally friendly option for feeding babies and toddlers.
- Suction Base: Each bowl and plate in the set features a strong silicone suction base, preventing spills and making mealtime easier for both babies and parents.
- Complete Kit: This weaning set includes bowls, plates, and spoons, providing everything needed for a baby’s first eating experiences, whether for a boy or girl.
- Safe and Gentle: The bamboo and silicone materials are gentle on a baby’s gums and teeth, making it perfect for those crucial first months of weaning and feeding.
- Perfect Gift: The bamboo weaning set comes in a beautifully designed bundle, making it an ideal gift for new parents and a great addition to any baby shower.
- COVERALL BIBS FOR BABY WITH ADJUSTABLE SLEEVES – Our adjustable toddler bib fits any highchair perfectly, with or without trays. Simply attach your silicone feel bib to any highchair, pram or table to keep even the messiest of tots clean and dry.
- PERFECTLY SIZED FOR TODDLERS AND BABIES – Our one-size-fits-all baby bibs for eating come with adjustable sleeves for utmost comfort. With a breathable neck design, this short-sleeved bib fits children aged 6 months to 3 years and is a great long-use alternative to silicone bibs.
- EASY-WIPE & WASHABLE TODDLER BIBS – Spend more time having fun with your toddler and less time cleaning their BIBADO bibs. Just wipe off any food from the easy-wipe fabric using a clean, dry cloth or load them in your washer at 40 degrees for a thorough clean.
- HELPS TODDLER DEVELOPMENT AND BABY LED WEANING – Our coverall feeding bibs are also compatible with our BIBaDO Clip-On Handi Cutlery. They come with ‘no drop’ straps, so you won’t have to pick up spoons & forks from the floor while your little one learns how to use them. (Handi Cutlery are sold separately or as a bundle).
- MULTIPLE DESIGNS AVAILABLE – Offering lots of different designs to make eating more fun for your babies as they explore the animals and characters on our bibs
Should I steam or boil broccoli for my baby?
Steaming is a recommended cooking method for broccoli as it helps retain more nutrients. Steam until it becomes soft and tender.
Can I offer small florets of cooked broccoli as finger food to my baby?
Yes, cooked broccoli florets cut into small, bite-sized pieces can be offered as finger food for your baby to explore and self-feed.
Can I mix mashed broccoli with other vegetables or grains?
Absolutely! Mashed broccoli can be mixed with other cooked vegetables, mashed potatoes, or grains like rice or quinoa to create a flavourful and nutritious meal.
Our Favourite Recipes for Babies Using Broccoli
Author: Nicola Hughes
Nicola has weaned both of her boys using the baby led weaning method. She loves nothing better than creating simple recipes that anyone can recreate, using as few ingredients as possible. All of her recipes have been tried and tested by both Dexter and Felix and have their seal of approval!