Soft carrot sticks with curd cheese

A soft carrot stick that squashes easily under your finger, with no crisp or firm texture left.

Give one stick at a time. Do not spread the cheese on the stick; leave it in a separate bowl so your child can try dipping.

Raw carrot is never served — NHS lists it among hard foods to avoid. Carrot is not cut into round slices. Unpasteurised dairy is not used.

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.