Green Beans are 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 Whole (6+ months): Make sure they are cooked until soft and serve whole green beans, which will be easier for your baby to pick up at this age and will reduce the risk of choking as your baby chews. 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 Chopped (9+ months): Baby starts to develop the pincer grasp around this age so serving chopped pieces will help give them practice. 

Softly Cooked or Raw, Whole or Chopped (18+ months): Baby should be able to handle the raw green bean texture at this age.

Green Beans for Self Feeding

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

Ingredients

• 2 cups green beans, trimmed
• squeeze fresh lemon juice (optional)

Instructions

1. In a medium saucepan, bring 2" of water to a boil over high heat. Add a steamer basket and add the green beans, cover and cook for 10-12 minutes or until tender when pricked with a fork. Remove from heat and let cool.
2. Squeeze just a little lemon juice (if using) on the green beans and toss, 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 green beans 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

• A good source of fiber to help keep the digestive system regular
• A great source of vitamin C to help support your baby’s immune system
• A good source of vitamin K to help strengthen bones and help with blood clotting
• Contain vitamin A for healthy eyes