🥕 Weaning (6-12 months)
Baby's First Carrot & Sweet Potato Purée
By Emma Whitfield · Pregnancy & Baby Writer
The purée nearly every UK weaning guide starts with, for good reason: naturally sweet, smooth, and gentle on a first-time gut. Both vegetables cook to a soft purée quickly and blend without needing much added liquid.
Ingredients
- 1 medium carrot, peeled and chopped
- 1 small sweet potato, peeled and chopped
- Cooled boiled water, breast milk or formula, to loosen
Method
- Steam the carrot and sweet potato for 12-15 minutes, until a knife slides in with no resistance.
- Blend with a splash of the cooking water (or breast milk/formula for a familiar taste) until completely smooth.
- Loosen with more liquid to a runny consistency for the very first tries — thicken gradually over the following weeks.
- Cool completely before serving. Never add salt, sugar or stock cubes.
Tips
- Freeze in an ice-cube tray, then bag the frozen cubes — perfect single portions that defrost in minutes.
- Steaming (not boiling) keeps more nutrients in the vegetable rather than the discarded water.
Weaning safety reminders
No honey before 12 months (infant botulism risk). No added salt or sugar. Cut round foods (grapes, cherry tomatoes) in quarters, not halves. Always supervise your baby while they eat, sitting upright, and check food has cooled to a safe temperature.
Questions about this recipe
Is baby's first carrot & sweet potato purée suitable from 6 months+?
Yes — this recipe is designed for 6 months+. As with any weaning food, introduce one new ingredient at a time if your baby hasn’t had it before, and always supervise your baby while they eat.
Does this recipe contain common allergens?
No — this recipe doesn’t contain any of the 14 major allergens as written. Always double-check the specific brands you use, since packaged ingredients can vary.
Can I freeze baby's first carrot & sweet potato purée?
Yes, this recipe freezes well — see the tips below for the best way to portion and reheat it.
More weaning (6-12 months) recipes
This is general information, not medical or dietary advice — every baby and child is different. For allergy concerns, a family history of allergies, or anything you're unsure about, speak to your health visitor, GP or a registered dietitian before introducing new foods. Reviewed July 2026.