Banana as first food for baby

Banana Puree for Babies - Eating Bird Food

Banana puree is a great first food when introducing solids to babies and can be made easily by mashing or blending fresh ripe bananas.

It seems like only yesterday we were starting our little one on solids! Bananas were one of her favorites foods, which was great because they’re so easy to serve to baby because there’s no need to cook the bananas before mashing or pureeing!

I know there are outliers but most babies tend to love bananas because of their sweetness so hopefully your babe will enjoy this banana puree too!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Bananas are widely available and inexpensive.
Banana puree is a great stage 1 food for babies because it’s sweet and has a smooth consistency.
They are low on the allergy scale so they’re often a safe choice to start baby on.
There are two easy ways to make banana puree and it’s also easy to meal prep and store in the freezer!

Bananas Make a Great First Food For Babies

Bananas are a great first food to introduce to babies because they’re naturally soft and mushy, easy to digest and loaded with vitamins and minerals. You can also easily mix bananas with rice cereal or oatmeal to add a little natural sweetness or just serve bananas straight up – mashed, pureed or you can serve larger spears or halves of a banana if you’re following a baby led weaning approach.

How to Make Banana Puree

Option 1: Mash

Mashing a banana is super simple and all you need is a fork! Place your banana on a plate and mash with a fork until the banana is the consistency you desire. Use in desired recipe or serve to baby as is.

Option 2: Blend/Puree

Blending the bananas in a food processor or blender makes for a smoother puree, which is perfect when you’re just introducing babies to solid foods and need thinner purees.

Simply add 2 bananas into a food processor or blender and process until the bananas are smooth and creamy. You can make the puree thinner by adding a little breast milk or formula, if needed. Once you’ve made the puree, serve to baby as is or mix with another puree to make a new flavor. See some ideas below.

Foods That Pair Well With Banana Puree

Banana puree pairs well with so many things, especially veggies because its natural sweetness will make them more palatable to baby! Here are some ideas:

Green veggies – kale, spinach, avocado, zucchini, peas
Orange veggies – sweet potato, butternut squash, carrot
White veggies – cauliflower
Other fruit – mango, strawberries, peaches, apples, kiwis,
Dairy – yogurt, cottage cheese, ricotta cheese
Grains – quinoa, oats
Legumes – chickpeas, lentils
Seasonings and spices – curry, ginger, mint, nutmeg, cinnamon

Banana Baby Food Combo Ideas

Here are some banana baby food combos that might be fun to try:

Banana, peach and strawberry
Banana, cinnamon and oatmeal
Apple, banana and strawberry
Banana, zucchini and spinach
Yogurt and banana
Avocado and banana
Peas, banana and kiwi

Olivia also loved the combo of banana, blueberry, quinoa and flax that I shared in my baby food combinations post. This one has a lot going on so it’s best for stage 2 eaters.

Banana Puree for Toddlers

For toddlers, banana puree can be used as a mix-in to sweeten up yogurt or baby oatmeal, as a dip for baby pancakes or put into reusable pouches for an easy, mess-free snack.

Bananas and Constipation

One thing to note is that bananas can slow digestion and in turn cause constipation. I know there were a couple times when we first started solids that Olivia dealt with constipation. Whenever it happened we tried to cut back on bananas knowing that they wouldn’t help the situation. If your baby does deal with constipation, I recommend limiting bananas and trying to add in more foods with fiber like pea puree or prune puree or juice. We used prune juice a couple times and it worked!

How to Store

Fresh banana baby food should be stored in the fridge and used within 3-4 days. For longer storage, I recommend freezing the puree! I like using silicone ice cube tray or freezer safe jars because they make it easier to thaw smaller amounts for serving to babies.

How to Thaw

I recommend thawing frozen banana puree in the fridge the night before you want to use it, but you can also thaw it with a warm water bath. It thaws quickly if you’re defrosting a small amount to serve to a baby.

Banana Puree FAQ

Can I use frozen bananas?

Yes! Using frozen bananas is an easy way to save ripe bananas before they go bad. Check out my tips on how to freeze bananas.

How can I tell if a banana is ripe?

Look for a banana that is yellow with some brown spots. Typically you will find green bananas or overly ripe bananas at the grocery store, so it’s best to buy them a few days before you want to use them. Using a banana that is ripe will result in a slightly sweet flavor. If the banana is too brown it will be mushy and overly sweet.

Can I use a green banana?

Using a banana that is ripe is the most ideal, as it will result in a slightly sweet flavor. If the banana is too brown it will be mushy and overly sweet. Too green and it won’t be very sweet.

Are bananas healthy?

Yes! Bananas are loaded with full of vitamins and minerals like potassium, vitamin B6 and vitamin C.

Can you quickly ripen bananas?

Bananas not ripe yet? There are a few things you can do! Start by keeping the bananas together, they will ripen faster when close together, and store them in a warm or sunny spot.

If you need them to ripen faster, you can place them in a brown paper bag with another high ethylene producing fruit, such as another ripe banana, an apple, potatoes, peaches, pears, avocados or blueberries. Fold the bag over a few times to trap the ethylene in the bag and allow the bananas to ripen. This will take about 1-2 days.

Other Ways to Use This Puree

Banana puree is great for babies, but there are so many other ways for older kids and adults to enjoy it too. Here are some ideas:

Topping for pancakes and waffles – level up your breakfast or brunch by topping pancakes or waffles with this puree. Try it on my almond flour pancakes!
Serve over ice cream – mix banana puree into your favorite ice cream or simply serve over top of ice cream or frozen yogurt for an extra touch of sweetness that packs in some nutrients!
Swirl into oatmeal, yogurt or chia pudding – add a boost of flavor and nutrition by adding banana puree to oatmeal or chia pudding. It’s perfect for my banana bread overnight oats.

I also have a ton of banana recipes that require mashed or pureed bananas! Highly recommend my vegan banana bread or oatmeal chia cookies.

More Baby Food Purees

Sweet Potato Puree
Butternut Squash Puree
Peach Puree
Avocado Puree
Carrot Puree
Pea Puree
Pumpkin Puree
Applesauce

More Recipes and Resources

Oatmeal For Babies
Healthy Smash Cake
Banana Pancakes For Babies
Baby Yogurt Melts

Be sure to check out my full collection of banana recipes as well as all of the baby food recipes here on EBF.

Banana Puree for Babies

5 from 2 votes

Fresh banana puree is a great first food and baby will love it because it tastes sweet! Easily make it by mashing or blending ripe bananas.

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Prep Time 5 minutes

Total Time 5 minutes

Servings 4

1-2 ripe bananas

Smooth Banana Puree

Add 2 bananas into a food processor or blender and process until banana is smooth and creamy. Serve to baby as is or make the puree thinner by adding a little breast milk or formula.

Chunky Mashed Banana Puree

Place banana on a plate and mash with a fork until the banana is the consistency you desire. Use in desired recipe or serve to baby.

food processor

Serving: 4ounces Calories: 53kcal Carbohydrates: 13g Protein: 1g Sodium: 1mg Potassium: 211mg Fiber: 2g Sugar: 7g

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Baby First Foods, First Food recipes for Baby's First Foods - The Best first foods to introduce to your baby between the ages of (4) and 6 months old

Baby’s first taste of solid food should be a single ingredient, age appropriate food. A few wonderful choices for first foods for babies, as many pediatric resources are now acknowledging, are tasty and creamy avocados, bananas and sweet potatoes. These healthy and nutritious foods make really great first foods for baby because they are easy to digest and full of vitamins, minerals, fats and other nutrients a growing baby needs..

This page is full of recipes for fresh homemade first foods for baby and are idea first food recipes to introduce to your baby between the ages of (4) and 6 months old. Many parents still begin to introduce solid foods (complimentary or weaning foods) to their babies prior to the age of 6 months olds. These recipes acknowledge and accommodate this fact. Ideally, babies should have nothing but breast milk and/or formula during the first 6 months of life.

Read more about baby being ready for solids and view our list of resources that advocate delaying solid foods.

Nutritious and Tasty & Wholesome Baby Food for First Food Feedings

Avocado – a great first food for baby, avocados burst with essential fats and nutrients that a growing baby needs. Smooth and creamy, avocados are easily digested and well tolerated by most babies!

Vitamins: A, C, Niacin, Folate
Minerals: Potassium, Phosphorus, Iron, Magnesium, Calcium

Step 1: Peel and take out the pit of a ripe avocado – do not cook

Step 2:Cut “meat” out and mash with a fork

Step 3:There should be no need to use a machine as just like bananas, avocados have a very soft consistency and texture. Avocados do not need to be cooked

Step 4:Add formula/breast milk or water to thin or add cereal (if desired) to thicken up. Learn More about Avocado

Bananas – bananas are another great first food for your baby. Research indicates that bananas and their mucosal properties actually help coat the tummy and help aid in digestion. Bananas are sweet, which may help baby more readily accept the first food experience. Learn more about bananas and if it’s true that sweet fruits and veggies should not be introduced first.

Vitamins: A, C, Folate
Minerals: Potassium, Phosphorus, Selenium, Magnesium, Calcium

Step 1: Peel a ripe banana – do not cook

Step 2: Place banana in a food processor/food mill or blender and puree

Step 3: You can also mash the banana in a bowl using a regular fork – heat in microwave for 25 seconds prior to mashing for extra softness

Step 4: Add formula/breast milk or water to thin or add cereal (if desired) to thicken up.

Organic Brown Rice Cereal – Did you know that baby’s first food does not have to be a commercial infant rice cereal? Many pediatric resources are acknowledging the fact that avocado, banana and sweet potato make great first foods for baby.

If you decide to make homemade baby cereal, make it with brown rice (organic if preferred). Whole grains are more healthy and nutritious for your baby (and for the whole family). Learn more about whole grains. You may also be interested in reading our Cereal FAQ explaining what types of grains to use, how long they may be stored and more.

1/4 c. rice powder (organic brown rice ground in blender or food processor)
1 cup water

Step 1: Bring liquid to boil in saucepan.

Step 2: Add the rice powder while stirring constantly.

Step 3: Simmer for 10 minutes, whisking constantly, mix in formula or breast milk and fruits if desired

Serve warm.

Pears

Vitamins: A, C, Folate
Minerals: Potassium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Calcium

Step 1: Peel and cut into chunks so as to avoid the little seed portion.

Step 2: Steam gently until tender;

Step 3: Place in a blender/food processor and puree until smooth. You may be able to just use a fork too.

Step 4: Use the leftover cooking water if needed but Pears tend to be very runny and watery without adding liquid – Add some baby cereal to thicken if needed.

Acorn or Butternut Squash (winter)

(nutrient info for squash of all types may be found at our “Tips on Squash“ page)

Step 1: Cut acorn, hubbard, or butternut squash in half, scoop out seeds

Step 2: Place an inch of water in a baking pan, then place squash halves “face” down in the pan. Check on water level while baking

Step 3: Bake in a 400 degree oven for 40 minutes or until the “shell/skin” puckers and halves feel soft then scoop squash “meat” out of the shell

Step 4: Place squash “meat” into your choice of appliance for pureeing and begin pureeing.

Step 5: Add water as necessary to achieve a smooth, thin consistency.

Step 6: You can also peel the squash, scoop out the seeds and then cut into chunks and boil/steam until tender (like when boiling potatoes for mashed potatoes)

Step 7: Follow steps 4 and 5

Yams/Sweet Potato

Vitamins: A (24,877 mg ), C, Folate
Minerals: Potassium, Sodium, Selenium, Phosphorous, Magnesium, Calcium

Step 1: Wash and poke holes in sweet potato with fork then wrap sweet potatoes in tin foil – do not peel for baking/microwaving. (you can also do this in the microwave – only use plastic wrap and cook for 8 minutes on high or until tender)

Step 2: Place in a 400 degree oven and bake for 30 minutes or until soft.

Step 3: Peel sweet potatoes and cut into small chunks

Step 4: Place chunks into a pan with just enough water to slightly cover potato

Step 5: “Steam” boil until tender, be sure to check on the water level.

Step 6: Reserve any left over water to use for thinning out the sweet potatoes

Step 7: If you have baked your sweet potato, remove skins and use liquid from your preferred source

Step 8: Place sweet potato into your choice of appliance for pureeing and begin pureeing.

Step 9: Add the reserved water or other liquid as necessary to achieve a smooth, thin consistency minutes or until a knife inserted near center comes out clean.

Learn why a Yam really is NOT a Yam and other information about serving Sweet Potatoes to your Baby

More First Foods & Homemade Baby Food Recipes

Mango (6-8 months – sometimes over 8 months – learn more about Mango)

Vitamins: A (1262 IU in one cup. ), C, E, K, Folate
Minerals: Potassium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Calcium, Sodium

1 Ripe Mango

Step 1: Peel, Deseed and mash Mango until smooth

Step 2: Add formula/breast milk or water to thin or add cereal (if desired) to thicken up.

Apples (Applesauce)

Vitamins: A, C, Folate
Minerals: Potassium, Magnesium, Calcium

This recipe is written so that you may use any amount of apples you wish.

Step 1: Peel, core and cut apple into slices/chunks

Step 2: Place slices or chunks into a pan with just enough water to slightly cover apples

Step 3: Boil/steam until tender; be sure to check on the water level and stir.

Step 4: Apples may be mashed with a potato masher to achieve a smooth applesauce consistency. If your masher will not achieve a puree type of consistency, then follow steps 5 – 7

Step 5: Reserve any left over water to use for thinning out the apples

Step 6: Place into your choice of appliance for pureeing and begin pureeing.

Step 7: Add the reserved water as necessary to achieve a smooth, thin puree

Step 8: Add cereal (if desired) to thicken up the

Step 9: Ask your pediatrician about adding some cinnamon for new tastes.

HINT. You may also buy an “Adult” jar of Natural applesauce from your local grocers. Make sure you buy Natural Applesauce however. Read the labels if you are unsure. The only ingredients should be apples and water or just apples. A few companies may add ascorbic acid (vitamin C) or citric acid to their Natural Applesauce; this is fine.

Why do you suggest peeling fruits and veggies; Nutrients are found in the peels right?

Salt and sugar are not needed when making baby food. Omit these items, preferably at ALL times, in your baby’s meals. Other spices such as cinnamon, garlic powder, pepper etc. may be introduced as early as 7 months with your pediatricians consult.

Remember, always consult with your pediatrician regarding introducing solid foods to your baby and specifically discuss any foods that may pose allergy risks for your baby.

More Baby Solid Food and Baby Food Recipe Topics:

Solid Food Stages & Feeding First Solids Month Range of Feeding Stages & Tips for Feeding First Solid Foods

Introducing Solid Foods by Age Chart for information about what food to avoid and what foods are appropriate for certain ages.

How Much Food Should Your Baby Eat? Not as much as you may be thinking. Read our article and ease your mind.

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At what age can you give a banana to a child? Since how many months exactly is safe

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The answer to the question at what age you can give a banana to a child depends on the child's interest in adult food. As a rule, from the age of six months, babies are ready to eat solid food. Products need to be introduced into the menu gradually, first as an addition to the mixture or milk, then more and more.

Children like bananas, they are sweet and tasty. But while bananas can be given as early as six months of age, fruit definitely shouldn't be the first new food. In addition, products should be varied.

Bananas have a bright taste, and the sweetness of the fruit is higher than most foods. If bananas predominate in the diet, the child will get used to the strong sweet taste, and will be less likely to eat other foods. They will seem bland or tasteless.

For the same reason, it is better that the banana is not the first new product. The relatively pale taste of other products will not be of interest to the baby.

It's okay if a child doesn't want to eat a banana at six months. All children are different. The age of 6 months, as an answer to the question, from how many months can a banana be given, is only an approximate figure. Do not force the child, try a little later again.

At what age can you give a banana to a child?

Pediatricians insist that the baby should be fed with milk or formula for at least six months. After reaching the age of six months, you can give a banana to a child in small quantities. It is too early for a 4 or 5 month old baby to give a banana. Also keep in mind that not all children are ready for innovations in the menu and in six months.

6 months is an approximate figure when you can try to give a banana.

Although the banana doesn't have to be the first and main new product, it has a definite nutritional benefit - the texture. If you decide to start giving a banana to your baby from the age of six months, crush the fruit to a puree state, you can add milk for a more liquid consistency. A crushed banana with liquid is similar in consistency to milk or formula. The child can easily cope with such cream puree, and the mother may not worry that the child will choke.

Older age you can give a banana in the form of a puree of a dense consistency, you do not need to dilute it with either water or milk. Especially if the child is already eating some solid foods.
At 9 months of age you can give banana puree with small pieces. No need to press into a homogeneous mixture, let lumps remain.
At the age of one year you can give a banana cut into small pieces, not mashed. They should not be too large so that the child does not choke, and it is convenient for him to eat. For safety, it is better to keep an eye on the baby while he eats.

A child who starts eating at 6-8 months is already able to eat fruit on his own after one year. If there has been no interest in solid foods all this time, do not be discouraged. Children are different, the lack of interest in adult food up to a year is not considered a deviation from the norm. Adding a banana to the menu will happen in the same way, only at a slightly older age, and everything will happen faster.

Complementary banana puree

1 banana
1 peach / 30 gr strawberries
100 ml milk / diluted formula

Peel the banana. Cut the fruit and crush it with a fork. Or grind in a blender.

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From what age can a child be given: how much to eat per day

Contents []

Benefits of Bananas
When to Introduce Banana Foods
What can be combined with
Possible problems
Selection and storage of fruit

Benefits of bananas

This is a very nutritious and tasty fruit that will not only provide the growing body with the necessary minerals, vitamins and other useful elements, but will satisfy the feeling of hunger.

Eating bananas will help:

• normalize the protective functions of the body and maintain immunity;
• ensure the growth of muscle tissue;
• regulate the work of the kidneys and the cardiovascular system, as well as the course of chemical processes in the bloodstream;
• balance the hormonal background;
• accelerate metabolic processes;
• normalize the state of the nervous system, increase its resistance to various experiences, worries, stresses;
• ensure the proper development and functioning of the brain. In addition, bananas are rich in fiber, which helps to restore the digestive tract and intestines.

The high content of iron helps to maintain the hemoglobin level, and vitamins will saturate the child's body with energy.

Attention!
Unripe fruit can have the opposite effect and cause constipation.

When to introduce banana supplements

As for the age at which bananas can be given to a child, pediatricians have no consensus, since the body of each baby is individual. The main part of experts is against the introduction of banana complementary foods until the baby is six months old.

They explain this approach by the imperfection of the digestive system, which can provoke problems with the gastrointestinal tract.

But some experts say that nothing terrible will happen if a child tries an exotic fruit already at 5-6 months.

But they all have one thing in common - you should not start complementary foods with a banana. After all, the baby will surely like the delicious sweet pulp, which can cause him to refuse other healthy products, including breast milk.

Tip!
It is recommended to start complementary foods with pears or apples, which are no less useful for the baby.

See the table below for information on the age at which and in what quantities it is better to give a banana to a child.

Monthly chart

Ideally, acquaintance with an exotic fruit can begin when the child is 6-8 months old. The information is relevant for absolutely all children, both for those who are breastfed and for artificial children.

It is recommended to introduce new foods into the baby's diet during the second morning feeding, that is, in the first half of the day.

First, you can give 0.5 tsp. (even less) and in the next day, carefully monitor the reaction of the child's body: inspect the skin for a rash, monitor the frequency and consistency of bowel movements.

Basic rules for the introduction of banana complementary foods:

1. Product rationing. It is necessary to adhere to the norm, and at first give no more than 1 tsp. puree at a time.
2. In the absence of negative reactions from the body (allergies, for example), the dosage is gradually increased, bringing the volume of a single serving to 1 tbsp. l.
3. A baby at the age of 12 months can eat up to 0.5 of a whole fruit in its raw form (without heat treatment). But he can eat bananas no more than 2-3 times a week.
4. When a child reaches 1.5 years old, he can be given a whole medium-sized banana already 5 times a week.
5. And from the age of three, it is allowed to use an exotic fruit daily.

Important!
Banana complementary foods should be introduced only if the baby is absolutely healthy.

What can be combined with

Bananas, like any other fruit, are easily combined with various cereals, natural yoghurts (without fillers) and kefir.

According to the famous pediatrician E. Komarovsky, this tropical fruit perfectly complements oatmeal, thanks to which the child eats it with great pleasure. In addition, bananas combine well with other fruits and berries, so there are quite a few options. The main thing is to choose which combination the baby will like.

Potential problems

Under certain circumstances, a banana can be more harmful than beneficial for a child. Even when reaching the recommended age for banana complementary foods, you should not give this fruit to your baby if the following problems are observed:

1. Allergy. In principle, the fruit is considered hypoallergenic, but there are still cases of allergies. This happens mainly due to the chemical processing of products, which is carried out in order to increase the shelf life. It is to these drugs that the children's body reacts, which manifests itself in a skin rash.
2. Overweight and obesity. Sadly, there are quite a lot of overweight babies in our time. Such children should limit the use of bananas due to the high content of sucrose and fructose - elements that stimulate weight gain.
3. Problems with the gastrointestinal tract. If the baby has problems with the digestive system (diarrhea, increased gas formation, constipation), it is better to postpone the introduction of bananas into the diet. Otherwise, the situation will only get worse.
It is strictly forbidden to give bananas to children whose parents have a history of diabetes, as well as to babies with increased blood clotting.