Serves: 1-2  Prep time: 2 minutes  Cook time: 0 minutes

Make sure you banana is ripe. Peel it and break to desired length.  Grab a fork and begin to mash it.

For the new to food crew (i.e. 5-6 months) mash this up very very well.  You can blend with formula or breast milk, combine it with rice cereal, or just serve it up plain.

Beginning at around 7 months you can add some texture to the bananas by stirring it in with some smooth yogurt or cottage cheese.  Most babies really enjoy the taste of both of these and will delight in being able to stick their hands in and play with their food (very important for baby’s development!)  

Around 9 months begin adding in bigger chunks of soft banana for your baby to pick up and chew on.  This is when babies begin to master their ability to grasp food between their thumbs and forefinger.  Be sure to give them lots of opportunity to get messy and play with their food.  Put the food directly onto their high chair tray in small batches.

By 10 – 11 months self feeding will be in full swing.  If you can actually get your child to let you feed them, well – you’ll be having much more luck than I ever did!  Cheerios are a wonderful addition to this recipe to make it a substantial breakfast for your little one and will satisfy the desire to self feed.

Thank goodness for bananas!