Vegetable omelette fingers

A strip firm enough to hold but soft enough to squash with gums, with no runny part and no rubbery, hard part.

Give one strip at a time, long enough that a bit sticks out of your baby's fist, and let them feed themselves.

Both the white and the yolk must be solid. The strips are not cut into round pieces and are not overcooked until hard; trim any edge that has hardened.

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 baby should be sitting upright and someone should stay with them while they eat. Add no salt, sugar or honey; honey is not given before one year. Your baby may not have teeth yet, so every piece must be soft enough to squash with gums. Babies do not all manage the same texture at the same age — follow your baby's pace rather than pushing. If your baby 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.