Broccoli is a good food for your baby to self-feed, whether for baby-led weaning, which happens around 6 months of age, or during the finger foods stage at 9 months.

6+ Months - steamed big florets, steamed stalk cut in half lengthwise, or puree:  Steamed florets with a larger stalk will be easier for your baby to grasp and hold onto at this age. You can also peel some of the outer, tougher layers of the broccoli stalk and steam until soft. You can offer purees and still allow your baby to lead the way with self-feeding by placing some spoonfuls directly on your baby's tray or bowl to let them explore on their own, or you can hand them a pre-loaded self-feeding spoon. 

9-12 Months - steamed smaller florets and stalks:  Cutting broccoli into smaller pieces at this age will help develop their pincer grasp.

12+ Months - steamed and chopped:  Continue to offer your toddler smaller pieces at this age. Depending on your child’s chewing skills, you can also try offering broccoli that has been cooked just a little less. This will help prepare them for harder-to-chew textures of lightly cooked and raw veggies. 

Broccoli for Self Feeding

Prep Time: 2 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Age: 6+ months 

Ingredients

• 2 cups broccoli florets or cut stalks
• 1/2 lemon, squeezed

Instructions

1. In a medium saucepan, bring 2" of water to a boil over high heat. Add a steamer basket with the broccoli florets. Cover and cook for 8-10 minutes or until tender when pricked with a fork.
2.  Remove from heat, and let cool.
3. Squeeze the lemon juice on the broccoli and toss.
4. Leave florets large or cut them into smaller pieces. 

Notes

Age: 6+ months

Yield: 4 serving 

Puree for Self-Feeding: Yes, it can be done! You can offer purees and still allow your baby to lead the way with self-feeding.

• Place a few spoonfuls of purees directly on the tray or in a bowl for your baby to dip fingers into. Model how to dip your fingers into the puree and bring them to your mouth, to taste some.
• Offer your baby a pre-loaded self-feeding utensil and hold it out for them to grasp or set on their tray. 
• Use a solid food as a dipper. You can also offer a soft stick-shaped piece of food, such as a soft roasted carrot or bread lightly toasted and cut into strips to dip into the puree.

Nutritional Information

Broccoli has a whole host of health benefits! 

• The fiber found in broccoli promotes gut health and heart health.
• It helps support your immune system with the help of vitamin C.
• Broccoli is high in vitamin K, which is important in blood clotting.
• The antioxidants found in broccoli may help protect against certain types of cancers.
• Vitamin A and antioxidants found in broccoli promote eye health.