You might wonder where the time has gone when your baby hits the 10 month mark! But, this is a time of great excitement and learning as your baby explores new tastes and textures on their weaning journey. 

But, whilst this can be fun, it can also be challenging. Here, we cover the basics of feeding your 10 month-old, so you have the confidence to know exactly what your baby needs to grow and develop well.

• Understand your 10 month old’s developmental milestones and how they relate to feeding and nutrition.
• Learn the importance of a balanced diet and incorporating variety into your baby’s meals.
• Discover tips for introducing new foods and textures to expand your baby’s palate.
• Gain insights into the essential nutrients and recommended daily intake for your 10 month-old.
• Find practical advice on meal planning, batch cooking, and encouraging self-feeding.

At 10 months, your baby might start to feed themselves and explore different textures. It’s important that you know which foods are best to offer your little one to ensure they get the nutrients they need to grow up healthy. 

By 10 months, your little one will have made big strides in their weaning journey! They will be getting better at picking up small food pieces with their hands and it’s likely that they can chew and swallow foods that are a bit more textured. Your baby may also want to do things on their own and feed themselves.

Knowing these milestones helps parents choose the right foods for their baby. Giving finger foods and letting them feed themselves helps with their fine motor skills and makes them feel independent.

A balanced diet gives your little one the nutrients they need for health, growth, and brain development. Give your baby foods from all the food groups including fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, dairy or fortified alternatives and healthy fats.

A variety of foods ensures your baby gets all the nutrients they need. 

• Fruits and vegetables: A rainbow of colours for vitamins and minerals
• Whole grains: Whole grain cereals, breads, and pastas for fibre
• Lean proteins: Chicken, fish, eggs, legumes, and tofu
• Dairy products: Whole milk, yoghurt, and cheese for calcium and protein

At 10 months, it’s time to introduce new foods and textures to your baby’s diet. Start slowly, letting them try different tastes and textures at their own speed. Offer a mix of smooth, mashed, and soft-cooked foods and be alert for any signs of allergies when introducing new foods. Start with one food at a time, waiting a few days before trying another. This helps you spot any allergies and keeps your baby safe as they try new foods.

You might also want to encourage your baby to feed themselves with soft foods and finger foods. This helps your little one develop their hand-eye coordination and gets them used to different textures, plus it makes mealtime more fun and interactive (but also a little messy!).

As your baby hits 10 months, their diet should include proteins, carbs, fats, vitamins, and minerals. These all help your little one’s growth and give them the energy to keep exploring!

Your 10 month-old needs certain nutrients for healthy growth. 

• Protein: Helps muscles grow and supports your little one’s immune system
• Carbohydrates: Give your baby energy for play and exploration
• Healthy fats: Important for your baby’s brain and hormone health
• Vitamins and minerals: Keep your baby’s body working well

A feeding schedule, batch cooking, and self-feeding make meals fun and stress-free for you, your baby and your family. Aim for 3 main meals and 2 to 3 snacks in between and adjust this schedule based on your baby’s hunger and activities.

Batch cooking and freezing your baby’s food saves time. It lets you prepare meals ahead and have healthy options ready. If you can, devote an hour or two each week making and freezing purees, mashes, and finger foods. Use fresh ingredients and store these in airtight containers or freezer bags.

At 10 months, babies love to feed themselves and try new foods. Finger foods like soft fruits, cooked veggies, and small meats are great for your baby but be sure to always keep an eye on your little one when they try new foods to avoid choking.

Stuck on meal ideas for your baby? Check out our recipe blog filled with inspiration!

Picky eating, food allergies, and choking hazards are just some of the common challenges you may face with your 10 month-old baby. Picky eating is a normal part of growing up. To help avoid this, offer your baby many different healthy foods and eat well yourself to show your baby good eating habits. It’s best not to force your baby to eat as this can make them dislike mealtimes even more.

Food allergies are another worry for 10 month-olds. Common allergens include cow’s milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, wheat, fish and shellfish. When introducing new foods to your baby, watch for signs like rashes. If you think your baby has an allergy, talk to your doctor.

Choking hazards are also a concern. As your baby gets more independent, they need food that’s safe, so avoid hard or round foods and always watch them while they eat. The way you prepare food for your little one can make a big difference to minimise choking risk…

• Fruits and vegetables: cut into small, bite-sized pieces or cook until soft
• Meats and Poultry: Cut into small, tender pieces or grind into a fine texture
• Grains and Bread: Cut into small pieces or offer as soft, easily dissolvable options
• Dairy Products: Offer small, bite-sized pieces of cheese or serve yoghurt and milk

By tackling these common challenges, you can help your 10-month-old eat well. This supports their growth and makes mealtime safe and enjoyable.

Safe foods for your 10 month-old baby include soft veggies, ripe fruits, cooked meats, and whole grains. These foods are easy to chew and swallow which reduces the risk of choking.  Always wash fruits and veggies before cooking or serving and cook meats to the right temperature. If you have leftovers, refrigerate them quickly and reheat them well before serving.

Why not try:

• Steamed or boiled carrots, broccoli, and sweet potatoes
• Ripe bananas, peaches, and avocados
• Shredded chicken, ground beef, and flaked fish
• Whole grain pasta, bread, and cereals

Make sure these foods are cooked well and cut them up small to prevent choking. It’s best to avoid foods like honey, undercooked meats, and choking hazards like whole grapes or nuts.

When your baby hits 10 months, you can start introducing new foods and textures. This makes mealtime exciting for your baby and sets a good base for healthy eating habits and positive mealtime experiences.

Making sure your baby gets the right nutrients like iron, calcium, and healthy fats will support healthy growth and give your baby bundles of energy!