Sweet Potatoes 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.

Roasted Wedges, or a Puree (6+ months): Make sure they are roasted to a soft consistency and can be 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.

 Roasted Sticks, Chopped or Mashed (9+ months): offer soft cooked cubes to older babies starting to work on their pincer grasp.

Sweet Potato for Self Feeding

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Age: 6+ months 

Ingredients

• 1 medium sweet potato
• 2 tsp olive oil
• 1/4 tsp paprika (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat: Heat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with a silicone mat, tin foil, or parchment paper.
2. Prep: Cut the sweet potato into wedges and then place on the baking sheet. Drizzle them with olive oil and paprika, and then toss with your hands until they are evenly coated. 
3. Roast: Place the baking sheet into the oven and bake for 12 minutes, flip the wedges and then bake for another 12 minute or until tender when pricked with a fork. Let cool slightly. 
4. Prepare: Slice, chop or puree the sweet potato to be age-appropriate for your baby. Serve and enjoy.

Notes

Age: 6+ months

Yield: 8 servings 

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

Sweet potatoes are a great first food for your sweetie since they are packed with health benefits!

• A great source of fiber and can prevent and resolve constipation.
• They contain a lot of beta-carotene, which converts into vitamin A for eye health.
• Contains vitamin C and E to help strengthen immunity.
• A high source of potassium to help maintain a healthy heart and blood pressure, fluid balance and muscle function.