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Diversify baby’s diet with fruits and vegetables
One by one, and well done
Rich in carbohydrates, mineral salts, trace elements, vitamins, anti-oxidants, fibers, fruits and vegetables are the basis of food diversification. But, at first, your little one’s digestive system is not mature enough to withstand raw vegetables, so it will be necessary to cook them well! Raw vegetables irritate the colon and transmit parasites if improperly washed.
Which fruits and vegetables to choose for your first purees and compotes?
Moms have the choice between fresh fruits and vegetables (washed with plenty of water, without soaking them otherwise, goodbye vitamins!) and preferably organic, deep-frozen (frozen after harvest, their vitamin content is completely preserved), in small “special infant” jars (slightly modified taste but reduced content of sucrose and pesticides for fruits, salt and nitrates for vegetables), to present perfectly mixed at the time of the first discoveries.
To start, we prefer digestible plants our sweet flavors : carrot, pumpkin, zucchini for vegetables, and apples or pears for fruit.
What texture for baby’s purees and compotes?
Up to 8 months, your child should be offered smooth-textured purees and compotes and homogeneous. If the purees contained in small jars already have the ideal consistency, for those you make at home, you will need to equip yourself. There are blender-cooker robots that defrost, cook and blend for you! Around 8 months, you can leave a few small melting pieces in baby’s purees to vary their texture and train him to chew.
How much for baby purees?
It is between 4 months and 6 months that your baby will taste their first cooked vegetables and fruits. Gentleness and patience are required because it is a big change for the little one, who will however continue to drink a lot of breast milk (at least 500 ml per day). We often recommend starting with vegetables (carrots, peas, spinach, green beans, etc.). For pulses, wait until 15 months to offer them. A few spoons are enough at the start. Gradually increase the quantity to reach the capacity of a small jar (130 g) in one month. Around 8-9 months, he eats about 200 to 250 g at noon and in the evening.. Warning, no need to add salt. However, from 6 months, you can add a little fat: a teaspoon of vegetable oil (olive, sunflower…) or a knob of butter. As for the fruits (pear, apple, banana, peach, apricot…), their introduction should not pose a problem. Babies generally love sweet things! Gradually increase the amount of compote (very smooth) to the capacity of a small jar (130g). Thereafter, he eats about 200 to 250 g per day.
Ideas of combinations of compotes and purees for babies
- Carrot / potato puree (from 6 months)
- Apple-cherry and vanilla compote (from 6 months)
- Apple plums in a compote (from 6 months)
- Carrot puree with orange (from 9 months)
- Colcannon (mashed potatoes and cabbage) (from 12 months)
- Guacamole (avocado puree) mild (from 12 months)
- Mashed sweet potatoes with coconut milk (from 15 months)
- Baba ghannouï with yogurt (eggplant puree) (from 15 months)