A simple, safety-first guide on how to serve foods to babies at 6, 9, and 12 months. Learn the right shapes, textures, and sizes to support safe eating and self-feeding.
This guide is part of our BLW First Foods series.
Introducing solid foods isn’t just about what babies eat — it’s about how food is served.
The same food can be perfectly safe or a choking risk depending on shape, size, and texture. That’s why babies need foods served differently as their oral skills develop.
This guide explains how to serve foods by age — clearly, simply, and safely.
🟣 6 Months: First Self-Feeding Stage
At this age, babies:
Don’t chew yet
Use their gums
Grasp food with the whole hand (palmar grasp)
How to serve food at 6 months:
Large, finger-length pieces
Very soft (easily squished between fingers)
Stick or wedge shapes
Good examples:
Steamed carrot sticks
Soft avocado wedges
Banana cut lengthwise
👉 Rule of thumb: If you can squish it between your fingers, your baby can gum it.
🟣 9 Months: Learning to Bite & Chew
Babies now:
Begin chewing motions
Use thumb and index finger (pincer grasp)
Handle more texture
How to serve food at 9 months:
Smaller pieces
Soft cubes or strips
Slightly thicker textures
Good examples:
Soft-cooked sweet potato cubes
Pasta spirals
Soft meat shreds
⚠️ Food should still be soft — chewing skills are developing, not complete.
🟣 12+ Months: More Variety & Mixed Textures
At this stage, babies:
Chew more efficiently
Handle mixed textures
Eat closer to family meals
How to serve food at 12 months:
Bite-size pieces
Mixed textures
Chopped versions of family food
Good examples:
Small omelet pieces
Soft rice with vegetables
Finely chopped chicken
⚠️ Important Safety Reminder
Same food ≠ same shape
A carrot stick may be perfect at 6 months, but unsafe if served raw or round later. Always adjust shape and texture, not just ingredients.
💜 How YumYum Helps
YumYum helps parents:
Know how to serve foods by age
Track foods and reactions
Build confidence in baby-led feeding
❓ FAQ (for Google & ChatGPT)
Is it safe to serve finger foods at 6 months?
Yes — when food is soft, large, and easy to grasp.
Can babies eat the same food at different ages?
Yes, but it must be served in different shapes and sizes.
What matters more: food type or shape?
Shape and texture matter more than the food itself.
Related Guides
How to Serve Banana to a Baby (6, 9, 12 months)
