Late Stage Baby Food Recipes (9-12 months)

The late stage (9-12 months) is when babies seriously practice chewing. Start separating soft rice from side dishes and gradually introduce more finger foods.

Late Stage Characteristics

• Age: 9-12 months
• Texture: Thick porridge to soft rice (rice:water = 1:5 to 1:3)
• Frequency: 3 times daily
• Amount: 4-6 oz (120-150ml) per meal (80-100g rice + side dishes)
• Particle size: About 5mm (1/4 inch), mashable with fingers
• Format: Transition from porridge to soft rice + separate side dishes

Basic Soft Rice

Ingredients: 30g rice, 90-100ml water

Instructions

1. Soak rice for at least 30 minutes
2. Add soaked rice and water to a pot and bring to a boil
3. Reduce to low heat and simmer for 15 minutes
4. Rice grains should be visible but soft and well-cooked

Tip: You can use the soft rice or porridge setting on your rice cooker.

Beef and Mushroom Rice Bowl

Ingredients: 80g soft rice, 20g ground beef, 15g shiitake mushroom, 10g onion

Instructions

1. Mince the beef and soak in cold water to remove blood
2. Dice mushroom and onion into 5mm pieces
3. Add 2 tablespoons water to a pan and cook the beef
4. Add mushroom and onion, cook until tender
5. Serve over soft rice and mix together when feeding

Steamed Chicken with Vegetables

Ingredients: 25g chicken breast, 20g potato, 15g carrot, 15g broccoli

Instructions

1. Boil chicken breast and shred into 5mm pieces
2. Cut potato and carrot into 5mm cubes
3. Cut broccoli into small florets
4. Steam vegetables for 10 minutes (add broccoli at the 5-minute mark)
5. Mix chicken and vegetables together to serve

White Fish and Vegetable Stew

Ingredients: 25g cod fillet, 20g zucchini, 10g onion, 2 tbsp dashi or vegetable broth

Instructions

1. Remove all bones from cod and cut into bite-sized pieces
2. Dice zucchini and onion into 5mm pieces
3. Add broth and vegetables to a pan and bring to a simmer
4. Add fish and cook for 5 minutes until done
5. Gently break up fish with a fork and mix with vegetables

Tofu Egg Custard

Ingredients: 30g tofu, 1 egg, 10g zucchini, 10g carrot

Instructions

1. Press tofu to remove excess water, then mash
2. Beat egg well and mix with tofu
3. Finely dice zucchini and carrot, add to mixture
4. Pour into a heat-safe dish and steam for 15 minutes
5. Let cool slightly and cut into bite-sized pieces to serve

Beef Seaweed Soup

Ingredients: 20g beef, 15g rehydrated seaweed (wakame), 200ml water, small amount of sesame oil

Instructions

1. Soak dried seaweed in water and cut into small pieces with scissors
2. Mince the beef
3. Add sesame oil to pot, sauté beef and seaweed briefly
4. Add water and bring to boil, then simmer on low for 10 minutes
5. Serve with soft rice on the side or mixed together

Vegetable Egg Fried Rice

Ingredients: 80g soft rice, 1 egg, 15g carrot, 10g onion, 10g peas

Instructions

1. Finely dice carrot, onion, and peas
2. Scramble the egg and set aside
3. Add 1 tablespoon water and vegetables to a pan, cook until soft
4. Add rice and scrambled egg, gently stir together

Soft Finger Foods

At this stage, babies start practicing self-feeding with their hands.

Soft Tofu Cubes

• Cut silken tofu into 1/2 inch (1.5cm) cubes
• Serve raw or lightly blanched

Steamed Vegetable Sticks

• Cut sweet potato, potato, or carrot into stick shapes and steam
• Cook until soft enough to mash with gentle finger pressure

Banana and Avocado

• Banana: Cut into appropriate bite-sized pieces
• Avocado: Use ripe avocado cut into small cubes

Salmon Rice Balls

• Mix flaked cooked salmon with soft rice and form into small balls
• Make them small enough for baby to pick up and eat

Sample Daily Feeding Schedule

Late Stage Feeding Tips

• Separate rice and side dishes: Helps baby experience different flavors and prevents picky eating
• Give baby a spoon: Start practicing self-feeding with utensils
• Family meals: Let baby sit at the table with the family during mealtimes
• Vary textures: Use different cooking methods - steaming, stewing, light sautéing
• Still no seasoning: Avoid salt, soy sauce, and other seasonings at this stage