Simple, single veggies, like carrots, peas or broccoli are the ideal first foods for your baby. Once your little one is comfortable eating single veggies, you can start to mix things up a bit and introduce fruits and other vegetables too. It’s probably a bit early for offering your little one breakfast, dinner and lunch just yet. For now just offer food once or twice a day, and don’t worry if they don’t eat too much to begin with.

The Department of Health recommends weaning at around 6 months. Before introducing any of these yummy recipes it’s important to check that your baby’s ready.

All the recipes below are suitable for babies from around 6 months. If you haven’t already, read up on how to prepare and store baby food safely before you get started.

It’s best to avoid finger foods until your baby is at least 6 months old. These soft-cooked carrot sticks, and broccoli or cauliflower florets, make perfect first finger foods. Just make sure the veggie pieces are cooked until they are soft and the right size for little hands to hold (the size of an average chip is about right) and cool enough for your baby to hold. Their natural gag reflex will help them bring up any food they can’t manage, so don’t panic if they cough a little.

Once they’re confident with simple veggies, you can start to introduce other vegetables and fruits too. Try soft peeled peach slices, avocado sticks or cooked sweet potato wedges. Cold cucumber is great for soothing sore gums too!