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    MJ & Hungryman » Baby/Kid-Friendly Recipes

    Best Bread for Babies (and Toast Ideas)

    By Min On February 13, 2023

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy for more details.

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    A four image collage showing different ways to serve bread to babies.

    Here's everything you need to know when it comes to choosing and serving bread to your baby with ease and confidence!

    A four image collage showing different  ways to serve bread to babies.
    Jump to:
    • When can babies eat bread?
    • What's the best bread for babies?
    • Choking hazards
    • Top Baby Bread Recommendations
    • How to serve bread for Baby-Led Weaning
    • Toast for Babies
    • Healthy Toast ideas for Babies and Toddlers
    • Bread Recipes for Baby
    • French Toast for Babies
    • Custard yogurt toast
    • More Resources

    When can babies eat bread?

    You can start serving bread to your baby as soon as they’re ready to start solids, usually around 6 months. If you’re unsure as to whether or not your baby is ready, grab this FREE handout.

    I can’t stress this enough - a baby who is developmentally ready will be much more successful at self-feeding. 

    One thing to note is that bread contains wheat, which is one of the top 9 food allergens. Do introduce it early and often as research suggests that doing so may dramatically reduce the risk of developing an allergy. Just be sure to start with a small amount and serve earlier in the day.

    If you need step-by-step guidance on how to introduce the top 9 allergenic foods in a strategic way along with video tutorials on how to serve the food so it’s the perfect size and texture for baby, introduce variety without spending hours in the kitchen, and so much more, check out my 3 month meal plan course. 

    What's the best bread for babies?

    Here are the top things to look for:

    Sodium

    Look for the lowest option you can find. Why? Their kidneys can't handle too much. Learn how much sodium your baby can have in a day and some practical tips to help make sure they don't get too much in their diet.

    I actually never realized how much sodium there is in one slice of bread until we started solids. Spend some time reading nutrition labels, which will become second nature to you.

    Ezekiel Low sodium sprouted bread which has 0 mg of sodium worked out really well for us. It's usually found in the freezer section.

    Note: Be sure to toast the bread so it's firm enough and won't form into a ball in their mouth.

    Sugar/artificial sweeteners

    The current recommendation is to avoid added sugars until 2. Opt for bread that contains 0 grams of added sugars. If it’s not mentioned on the label, look at the ingredient list. They may contain honey too so definitely check for that. Remember, NO honey until 1. 

    Fiber

    There’s a lot of misinformation out there that suggests babies shouldn’t have whole grains. I’m here to tell you that there’s no evidence to suggest that you should limit or avoid grains for babies under 1. 

    Incorporating fiber into your baby’s diet can help improve their digestion and help battle constipation. 

    Now you may be wondering, how much fiber per day?

    There’s no recommended amount babies. But you don’t want to load them up on fiber-rich grains as their digestive system isn’t mature enough to handle it.

    Not to mention, their tummies are small! So too much fiber can be too filling, leaving little room for other important nutrients.

    That’s why even though breads made from whole grains are more nutritious, I encourage you to vary your baby’s grain intake with both whole and refined grains (white rice, white bread, white flour, etc.). 

    Choking hazards

    Avoid those that contain large nuts and seeds. Texture wise, avoid soft breads, like white sandwich bread,  as they can gum up and turn into a sticky ball, making it difficult for baby to spit out.

    To help, it’s best to lightly toast the bread first so it’s not too crunchy but not so soft either. 

    Top Baby Bread Recommendations

    To sum, when shopping for bread, look for ones with the lowest amount of salt and sugar. Rotate between low and higher fiber breads. Out of the low fiber variety, I recommend sourdough or rustic white bread.

    My personal favorite bread for babies is Ezekiel bread. It’s made from whole SPROUTED grains. The process of sprouting increases nutrients and make them easier to digest and absorb.  It also contains legumes, which provide iron and zinc.

    To top it off, it contains no sodium and sugar! Zero!

    You can offer crusty, heartier breads like sourdough, ciabatta, bagel, etc. Your baby won’t actually consume much, if any, but it will help promote oral motor development.

    I would add any of these nutritious spread which will make it into their belles as they gnaw/suck on the bagel. 

    How to serve bread for Baby-Led Weaning

    a two image collage with toast served as a strip for six to eight months on the left and toast cut into bite-sized pieces for nine to twelve month olds

    First, soft breads as mentioned can gum up and stick to their mouth, making it difficult to swallow or spit out. That’s why it’s important that you toast the bread so it’s slightly firm, not crunchy. There’s no need to cut off the crust. 

    For me, about 2 minutes in the toaster oven seems to be the sweet spot. You’ll need to experiment several times to determine the best toaster setting.

    Now it's time to have fun with toppings!

    Cut into strips or smaller pieces once their pincer grasp develops. From 12 months on, you can start offering a half to whole slice of bread as a way to encourage them to learn to take bites.

    Toast for Babies

    Reasons why they are so great:

    • It's the perfect baby finger food!
    • It's a fuss-free way to make every bite count when not much may get eaten during the first days or weeks (which is normal!)
    • It's a great vehicle for introducing a variety of flavors and textures
    • Makes introducing potential allergens easy. Simply spread a thin layer of peanut butter, tree nut butter, tahini, etc.

    Healthy Toast ideas for Babies and Toddlers

    P.S. @kidfriendly.meals is my Instagram account! Be sure to follow me there for more quick tips and meal ideas!

    six easy toasts each plated on a white platee
    six unique peanut butter toast ideas with each toast on a blue plate

    Here are some other easy and delicious ways to enjoy a classic peanut butter toast. Remember to introduce possible allergens early and often!

    You can substitute with sunflower seed butter if there is a peanut allergy.

    A special note about "Exposure": serve a small amount of the food your child is learning to enjoy on the side. Just serving one piece may seem silly but make no mistake. Its presence on the plate is powerful!

    six allergy-friendly toasts individually plated on a blue plate

    Bread Recipes for Baby

    I will be sharing more over time, but in the meanwhile, here are two easy breads to serve to your baby!

    Banana Date Bread
    Soft and moist, this healthy banana bread is perfect for babies, toddlers, and adults! It's super EASY to make with minimal, nutritious ingredients.
    Get the recipe
    three slices of banana date bread stacked on a wooden board
    Healthy Pumpkin Banana Bread
    Made with healthy ingredients, this moist pumpkin banana bread has all the warm pumpkin flavor with just the right amount of sweetness.
    Get the recipe
    A close up shot of sliced bread.

    French Toast for Babies

    Healthy Banana French Toast
    This easy and healthy banana French toast is made with simple ingredients you probably have on hand and only takes 10 minutes to make.
    Get the recipe
    2 slices of French toast with banana, peaches, and syrup.
    Savory French toast
    This savory vegetable French toast or eggy bread is an EASY and fun way to use up leftovers. Suitable for babies 6 months and up!
    Get the recipe
    A close up shot of baby French toast strips as well as bite-sized pieces on a parchment paper

    Custard yogurt toast

    This is a super fun and unique way to serve toast to babies! Simply make a dent in the center of the bread, spoon the egg and yogurt filling on top and bake! And there are endless ways to customize your toast!

    Custard yogurt toast
    Whisk together yogurt and egg, spread on top of toast with various toppings, and you've got yogurt toast - an easy and healthy breakfast or snack for the whole family!
    Get the recipe
    Three custard yogurt variations sliced into triangles and squares.

    More Resources

    • six breakfast ideas for 9 months served on a blue and red bear-shaped silicone plate
      50+ Healthy Breakfast Ideas for Babies
    • four white plates with each containing an iron-rich source, including white beans, hemp seeds, beef, and beans
      Best Baby Led Weaning (BLW) First Foods
    • A four image collage of healthy baby snacks including iron.
      Healthy Baby Snacks (Easy and Balanced)
    • A four image collage showing how to serve protein finger foods for baby
      Best Healthy Finger Foods for Baby

    Do you want to minimize picky eating and set a solid foundation for a lifetime of healthy eating habits?

    Check out this 3 month mastering self-feeding program! It’s the closest thing to me being in your kitchen

    Find out more!

    More Baby/Kid-Friendly Recipes

    • Four oatmeal balls with different add-ins.
      No Bake Oatmeal Balls (with Peanut Butter)
    • A close up shot of sliced carrot cake.
      Eggless Carrot Walnut Cake
    • Two waffles with yogurt and fresh strawberries.
      Fluffy Strawberry Waffles
    • Stacked pancakes with maple syrup dripping down.
      Easy Carrot Pancakes

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    About Min

    Thank you so much for stopping by! I am Min, a Registered Dietitian, a Christ follower, a wife, and a mom to our two miracle babies! Currently, I’m having a ton of fun feeding their tummies and sharing our baby led weaning journey! Follow me on Instagram if interested in seeing daily menu as well as tips and tricks.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Hamsu says

      February 13, 2023 at 8:57 pm

      This was very useful.

      Reply
      • Min says

        February 14, 2023 at 12:08 pm

        I'm so glad!! Thanks for the feedback!

        Reply
    2. Valerie says

      October 16, 2020 at 9:37 am

      Thank you, My 6 year old eats only puree baby food. I dont know how to move past this. His mind is made up and he wont move forward. Food and meals are always a fight...
      V in CA

      Reply

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    I am MJ, a registered dietitian and a mom of 2. I truly hope you’ll enjoy all the recipes and tips that I share on what and how to feed your child!

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