CircleBumpCheckedFilledMedicalBookmarkBookmarkTickBookmarkAddCheckBoxCheckBoxFilled

6 Thanksgiving Foods That Make Great Meals For Baby

Make a dinner the whole family can be thankful for.
save article
profile picture of Elena Donovan Mauer
By Elena Donovan Mauer, Contributing Writer
Updated November 20, 2019
Family gathering around Thanksgiving dinner table
Image: Bonnin Studio

It’s Thanksgiving time! The holiday revolves around friends and family (and tasty food), so of course you want to involve baby in the festivities. If baby is ready to start eating solids, consider letting your little one try a bit of your special meal—there are a bunch of traditional Thanksgiving foods that make perfect baby purees and finger foods. (Plus, that means less prep work for you!) Here are some of our favorites.

1. Sweet Potatoes

As much as they are a Thanksgiving staple, cooked sweet potatoes are also a classic ingredient for baby food: They’re soft and easy for gums to mash, and they’re rich in beta-carotene, which is good for baby’s vision, skin, growth and immune system. There are a few different ways you can prepare them for baby—head here for step-by-step instructions.

2. Pumpkin

Before you fill your pie, put aside some pumpkin for baby. It’s rich in beta carotene and has protein and potassium too. Ideally, you want to use fresh pumpkin to bake and puree for baby, but if you’re getting it out of a can, that’s fine too. Just double check that you’re not serving “pumpkin pie mix,” which can have added sugar, starch and other stuff you probably don’t want your little one to have.

3. Apples

Same goes if you’re making an apple pie! Apples pack punches of vitamin C and fiber, and they taste great too. Bake or steam some apples for baby and make them into applesauce. Most doctors agree they’re great as one of baby’s first solid foods.

4. Green Beans

What’s Thanksgiving without green bean casserole? Good news: Green beans are also approved for early eaters. These greens have vitamin C, iron, potassium, calcium and more. They’re also easy to prepare: Just steam and then puree (just make sure the skins get completely mushed up—they can be stubborn!).

Related Video

5. Squash

Butternut and acorn squashes are two of our favorite baby foods. Cut them in half, bake, scoop and puree (or cut into pieces, if your kid is older). They make the house smell amazing! Plus, they’ve got fiber, protein, potassium and calcium.

6. Turkey

Yup, believe it or not, many pediatricians are now recommending introducing meats into baby’s diet fairly early, around 8 months or so. (Just ask your doctor first.) Turkey is rich in protein and iron (if it’s dark meat). It can be pureed with a little water or fruit, or chopped into tiny pieces for a toddler who’s already a good chewer.

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.

save article
ADVERTISEMENT

Next on Your Reading List

baby being fed baby food while sitting in high chair
The Best Baby Food Delivery Services
By Martina Garvey
Advertisement
baby drinking from bottle
5 Steps to Take if Breastfeeding Doesn’t Go as Planned
By Chaunie Brusie
What You Need to Know About Baby Growth Spurts
What You Need to Know About Baby Growth Spurts
Medically Reviewed by Lauren Crosby, MD
ADVERTISEMENT
overhead view of baby sitting at high chair and eating food with fingers
The Best Finger Foods for Baby
Medically Reviewed by Lauren Crosby, MD
best-manual-breast-pumps-HERO
The Best Manual Breast Pumps for On-the-Go Parents
By Christin Perry
Organic Baby Formula-hero
The Best Organic Baby Formula for Your Little One
By Emma O'Regan-Reidy
Baby Food Hero
7 Best Organic Baby Foods to Start Healthy Eating Off Right
By Christin Perry
ADVERTISEMENT
dad feeding newborn baby formula bottle
Baby Feeding Schedule: How Much Should a Newborn Eat?
By Natalie Gingerich Mackenzie
mother testing rooting reflex by touching baby's cheek
Rooting Reflex in Babies: What It Is and Why It’s Important
By Nehal Aggarwal
mother giving newborn baby vitamin D drops
8 Best Vitamin D Drops for Infants
By Emma O'Regan-Reidy
ADVERTISEMENT
father feeding baby cereal
Best Baby Cereals: 6 Healthy Options for Your Little Eater
By Bonnie Vengrow
baby holding a jar of honey and a wooden spoon
When Can Babies Have Honey?
By Korin Miller
How History and Racism Reframe the Formula Shortage for Black Families
How History and Racism Reframe the Formula Shortage for Black Families
By Kimberly Seals Allers
ADVERTISEMENT
close up of baby's mouth with lip tie
What You Need to Know About Lip Ties in Babies and Toddlers
By Christin Perry
Choosing how to feed baby
Why I've Breastfed, Formula-Fed and Even Considered Donor Milk
By Danielle Wilson
Ashley Tisdale bottle feeds infant daughter enfamil enspire formula
Ashley Tisdale Says Moms Need to Stop Feeling Guilty Over Baby Feeding
By Nehal Aggarwal
dad bottle feeds newborn baby
Baby Feeding Negatively Impacts Most Moms’ Mental Health, Survey Says
By Nehal Aggarwal
ADVERTISEMENT
Formula brand Bobbie launches campaign to foster encouragement for non-breastfeeding moms.
This Campaign Wants to Make the Dialogue Around Feeding Baby More Inclusive
By Nehal Aggarwal
23 slides
Best of Baby 2015: Feeding
Best of Baby 2015: Feeding
By The Bump Editors
Holle baby food brand launches in the United States at Whole foods, image of Holle's cow milk product.
This Cult-Favorite European Baby Formula Brand Is Coming to America
By Nehal Aggarwal
ADVERTISEMENT
Article removed.
Article removed.
Name added. View Your List