Recipes by Stage
Purées, mashed, soft pieces, and beginner finger foods with step-by-step guidance.
Solid Start by DearBaby
Baby Food Recipes · BLW Meal Planner
Free alternative to Solid Starts. 100+ simple, easy-to-follow recipes including purées, mashed foods, soft pieces, and beginner finger foods. Quick 5-15 minute meals perfect for busy parents with babies 6+ months.
Download FreeKey Features
Lunchbox Builder
Drag in a main, veg, fruit, and dairy/alt to make a balanced box fast.
Favorites & Collections
One-tap to save. Organize by month... or texture.
Doneness Cues
Step-by-step guidance with softness cues and suggested cut sizes.
Stage-Appropriate Recipes
Every recipe is carefully designed for babies 6+ months. Whether you're doing Baby-Led Weaning (BLW) or starting with purées, Solid Start provides clear guidance on preparation, texture, and serving sizes.
- Recipes progress from purées to finger foods
- Visual cues for doneness and softness
- Age-appropriate cut sizes and shapes
Build Balanced Lunchboxes
The Lunchbox Builder makes meal planning effortless. Simply drag and drop a main dish, vegetable, fruit, and dairy/alternative to create a nutritionally balanced meal.
Perfect for daycare, picnics, or everyday meals at home.
Save & Organize Favorites
Create collections organized by month, texture, or ingredient. Quickly find recipes your baby loves and build a personalized meal rotation that works for your family.
Popular Baby Food Guides
Top 10 First Finger Foods for 6 Month Old
- 1.Steamed sweet potato strips
- 2.Ripe avocado slices
- 3.Banana spears (halved lengthwise)
- 4.Steamed broccoli florets
- 5.Soft-cooked carrot sticks
- 6.Toast strips with thin nut butter
- 7.Well-cooked pasta (large shapes)
- 8.Soft-cooked apple slices (no skin)
- 9.Steamed green beans
- 10.Scrambled eggs (soft, well-cooked)
All recipes available in DearBaby Solid Start with step-by-step prep guides.
Top 20 Baby Puree Recipes (6+ Months)
1.Sweet Potato
11.Pear
2.Avocado
12.Mango
3.Banana
13.Green Beans
4.Butternut Squash
14.Blueberry
5.Apple
15.Chicken
6.Carrot
16.Beef
7.Peas
17.Lentils
8.Broccoli
18.Quinoa
9.Zucchini
19.Brown Rice
10.Peach
20.Oatmeal
Each puree recipe includes iron content, texture tips, and storage instructions.
Top 15 Baby Led Weaning (BLW) Recipes
- 1.Sweet potato wedges
- 2.Avocado strips
- 3.Steamed broccoli trees
- 4.Banana pancakes
- 5.Roasted carrot batons
- 6.Egg omelette strips
- 7.Toast with mashed avocado
- 8.Meatballs (soft, well-cooked)
- 9.Pasta with tomato sauce
- 10.Baked salmon flakes
- 11.Cheese quesadilla strips
- 12.Cucumber sticks (soft)
- 13.Rice cakes with hummus
- 14.Steamed apple slices
- 15.Soft-cooked beef strips
Complete with sizing guides, choking prevention tips, and allergen info.
Top 10 Complete Baby Meal Ideas
- 1.Chicken, sweet potato & peas
- 2.Salmon, quinoa & steamed broccoli
- 3.Beef, rice & carrot puree
- 4.Egg, avocado & whole grain toast
- 5.Lentils, spinach & butternut squash
- 6.Turkey, apple & green beans
- 7.Tofu, mango & snap peas
- 8.Pasta, tomato sauce & mozzarella
- 9.Chickpea, cauliflower & yogurt
- 10.Pork, pear & zucchini
Use the Lunchbox Builder to create balanced meals easily.
Top 10 Simple & Easy Baby Recipes (No Cooking Skills Required)
1.Mashed ripe banana (2 min, no cooking)
6.Greek yogurt with mashed berries (3 min)
2.Mashed avocado (1 min, fork only)
7.Toast fingers with nut butter (5 min)
3.Microwave scrambled eggs (3 min)
8.Overnight oats (prep night before)
4.Steamed sweet potato (15 min, 1 pot)
9.Cottage cheese with fruit (2 min)
5.Cooked pasta shapes (10 min boil)
10.Canned beans mashed (5 min)
Perfect for beginner cooks or time-strapped parents. Follow easy step-by-step photo guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best free alternative to Solid Starts app?
DearBaby Solid Start is a completely free alternative to Solid Starts, featuring 100+ baby food recipes, a unique lunchbox meal planner, allergen introduction timelines, and BLW guidance. Unlike subscription-based apps, all features are free forever with no paywalls.
DearBaby Solid Start vs Solid Starts - what are the differences?
DearBaby Solid Start is 100% free (no subscription) with unique features: lunchbox builder for meal planning, recipes organized by both age AND texture stages, and integrated allergen timelines. Solid Starts requires paid subscription for full access.
How do I start baby led weaning without choking risks?
DearBaby Solid Start provides 50+ BLW recipes with specific safe cut sizes (e.g., "adult pinky finger length"), softness testing cues ("should squish between fingers"), and choking hazard warnings. Start at 6+ months with soft foods like steamed broccoli, banana spears, and avocado strips.
What finger foods can I give my 6 month old?
Safe finger foods for 6-month-olds include: soft-cooked vegetable strips (sweet potato, carrots, broccoli), ripe banana spears, avocado strips, toast strips with nut butter, well-cooked pasta shapes, and soft-cooked apple slices. DearBaby Solid Start provides 30+ first finger food recipes with proper sizing and texture guidance.
What baby food app has a lunchbox builder and meal planner?
DearBaby Solid Start features a unique lunchbox builder where you drag and drop protein, vegetable, fruit, and grain/dairy to create balanced meals instantly. Plan daycare lunches or daily meals with guaranteed nutritional balance. Save favorite combinations for quick planning.
How do I introduce peanut butter to my 6 month old safely?
DearBaby Solid Start includes specific peanut introduction recipes: thin peanut butter on toast strips, peanut butter mixed into oatmeal, or peanut powder in purees. Follow AAP guidelines - introduce at 6+ months, start with small amounts, and watch for 2 hours for any reactions.
What are easy make-ahead baby food recipes for working parents?
DearBaby Solid Start highlights 30+ freezer-friendly recipes: puree batches (freeze in ice cube trays for 3 months), pre-made banana pancakes, cooked meatballs, and veggie fritters. Each recipe includes freezing instructions, thaw times, and reheating methods for busy schedules.
Is DearBaby Solid Start completely free with no hidden costs?
Yes, 100% free forever. DearBaby Solid Start has no subscription, no in-app purchases, and no premium tiers. All 100+ baby puree recipes, BLW finger food ideas, lunchbox meal planner, and allergen timelines are completely free with no ads or paywalls.
When can babies eat finger foods?
Babies can start finger foods around 6 months when they can sit unassisted, bring objects to mouth, and show interest in food. Start with soft, easily gummable foods. DearBaby Solid Start provides age-appropriate finger food recipes with safety guidelines and proper sizing.
How do I introduce allergens to my baby?
Introduce common allergens (peanut, egg, dairy, wheat, soy, fish, tree nuts, shellfish) one at a time starting at 6 months. Offer a small amount and watch for reactions. DearBaby Solid Start includes allergen introduction timelines and recipes following WHO and AAP guidelines.
Is DearBaby Solid Start free?
Yes, DearBaby Solid Start is completely free to download and use. All 100+ baby puree recipes, BLW finger food ideas, the lunchbox meal planner, allergen information, and stage-by-stage guidance are included at no cost with no subscription required.