Sweet Potato for Baby-Led Weaning: Soft Wedges and Mash

Is your baby ready?

The CDC recommends starting solids at about 6 months, once your baby shows developmental signs such as good head and neck control and sitting alone or with support. For more on these signs, see our readiness guide; your child's pediatrician can help with individual concerns.

Wedges or mash

For finger food, the NHS sweet potato fingers recipe calls for finger-sized wedges, long enough that the top half sticks out of your baby's fist. Peel the sweet potato first: the NHS food safety guidance notes that removing skins can make swallowing easier, especially for very young children.

Prefer a spoon? Mashed, cooked sweet potato is another option; the NHS notes you can offer a spoon so your baby can try feeding themselves. See our self-feeding spoon guide for ideas.

An NHS baking method

The same NHS recipe, meant for babies from 6 months, uses 1 small sweet potato and 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil:

1. Heat the oven to 200°C (392°F).
2. Peel and cut the sweet potato into wedges as described above.
3. Toss the wedges in the oil.
4. Bake for 20–30 minutes, until soft and only lightly browned.
5. Let them cool, then blot off any extra oil.

This is the NHS's recipe, not one Yummy Bites has tested, and its timing is only a guide; softness is what counts. The CDC suggests cooking food until it mashes easily with a fork. If a wedge resists the fork, give it more time.

Serving and supervision

Serve wedges or mash cooled, with no added salt or sugar, and let your baby set the pace and decide how much to eat, as the NHS advises. The CDC's choking guidance recommends an upright seat, close and continuous supervision, and calm, unhurried meals, never while your baby is crawling, walking, or in a car or stroller. Careful preparation lowers risk, but it can't guarantee safety.

The Yummy Bites serving guide

The sweet potato serving guide in the Yummy Bites app illustrates the 6+ serving shape, so you can glance at it while you prepare food. It's a serving reference, not medical advice. You can browse more foods on our foods page.