Oats with smooth almond butter

A thick porridge with the almond butter fully stirred through, and no thick lump and no piece of almond left.

Serve warm and let your child eat it with a spoon.

Whole or broken almonds are never served — whole nuts are not given to children under five. Butter containing pieces is not used. The thick butter is never given on its own from a spoon — it sticks in the mouth and is always stirred into the porridge.

Serve as soon as it is made. If you want to keep what is left over, refrigerate it and use it within 2 days. Throw away a half-eaten portion rather than storing or reheating it.

Your child should be sitting upright and someone should stay with them while they eat. No salt or sugar is added to these recipes; honey is not given before one year. Their back teeth may not be through yet, so every piece must be soft enough to squash with gums and cut to a safe size. Children do not all manage the same texture at the same age — follow your child's pace rather than pushing. If your child has an allergy, eczema, or a family history of allergy, talk to your GP or health visitor before introducing new foods. Introduce foods that can trigger an allergic reaction one at a time and in small amounts, so you can spot any reaction.