Cauliflower 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.

Cooked Big Florets or a Puree (6+ months): great for babies 6+ months or just starting on solid foods. It’s best to start your baby with a bigger piece of cooked cauliflower florets so your baby can chew, gnaw and take bites without them being a choking hazard. Make sure it is cooked until is can be easily pierced with a fork. 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.

Cooked Small Florets or Chopped (9+ months) : Small florets and chopped cauliflower will allow your baby to practice using their pincer grasp, which is developing at this age. Continue to cook cauliflower until it is soft.

Cauliflower for Self Feeding

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 3-4 serving
Age: 6+ months 

Ingredients

• 2 cups cauliflower florets
• pinch of paprika (optional)

Instructions

1. In a medium saucepan, bring 2" of water to a boil over high heat. Add a steamer basket and add the cauliflower, cover and cook for 10-12 minutes or until tender when pricked with a fork. Remove from heat and let cool.
2. Sprinkle on spice or herb (if using) and then cut in an age-appropriate way.  

Notes

Age: 6+ months

Yield: 3-4 small portions for baby

Storage: you can store this recipe in the fridge in an air-tight container for up to 3 days. 

Spices/Herbs: Adding spices to your baby’s foods is a great way to introduce more complex flavors at an early age. Some great spices and herbs to add to cooked cauliflower are a pinch of mild curry, garlic powder, and cumin, or you can add a pinch of chopped fresh parsley, chives, mint, and cilantro.

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

Typically, white foods don’t have much to offer in the way of vitamins and minerals, but this is not the case with cauliflower. Much like its cousin broccoli, cauliflower has tons of nutrients.

• It provides tons of vitamin C, which is needed for iron absorption and immune support. 
• Contains choline, which is essential for your baby’s brain development.
• A good source of fiber to help keep your baby regular.
• High in antioxidants for cancer prevention.