Bananas are versatile baby food and can be made into a baby food puree, mashed into a chunky puree, used as a finger food for baby, or prepared for baby-led weaning. They also make a great base for many delicious recipes such as banana bread, pancakes, smoothies, muffins.

Bananas are loaded with essential nutrients for a growing baby! They are a good source of fiber, vitamin C, manganese, and potassium, and they are high in vitamin B6.

Bananas are not typically included as a common choking hazard for babies, but are a common cause of gagging. Here are some handy tips on how to prepare bananas by general age, remembering that all babies are individual and develop differently:

• At any age older than 6 months a mashed banana is always a winner

• From 6 months+: If you are choosing the baby led weaning style there are a few options. Serve spears from a banana that has been split lengthwise into thirds. Long enough so they can bite off what sticks out of their small hand. You can also use the banana skin to get a handle.

• 9 months+: Once a baby can pick up objects between their thumb and forefinger, you can transition to bite-sized pieces broken off from a banana already split into spears.

• 12 months+: Offer bite-sized pieces—or if you feel comfortable, serve spears or even a whole banana.

• 18 months+: This is a great time to move back up in size by offering the whole banana. Try teaching how to peel a banana. It’s also a great time to introduce cutlery.