Junior baby food carrots

The BEST Carrot Cake (Made with Baby Food)

Tuesday, November 10, 2020

The BEST Carrot Cake – recipe from Full Moon BBQ in Birmingham, AL. This cake is super moist and the cream cheese frosting is to-die-for! I don’t even like carrot cake and I ate a HUGE slice of this cake! The secret ingredient in this cake is baby food. I know it sounds weird but it adds so much moisture and you don’t have any chunks of carrots in the cake. Flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, vanilla, eggs, oil, baby food, cream cheese, butter, and powdered sugar. Can make the cake up to a week in advance. This is PERFECT for the holidays!

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Full Moon BBQ Carrot Cake Recipe

This recipe is from Full Moon BBQ in Birmingham, AL. Their carrot cake is the BEST. They published the recipe many many years ago in the paper and a friend recently sent me a copy. Woohoo! I immediately made the cake, and it did not disappoint. It is honestly the BEST carrot cake I’ve ever eaten. The cake is super moist and the cream cheese frosting is to-die-for!

How to Make Carrot Cake with Baby Food

The secret ingredient in this cake is baby food. I know it sounds weird but it adds so much moisture and you don’t have any chunks of carrots in the cake. To make the cake from scratch, combine flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, vanilla, eggs, oil, and baby food. Mix well with a hand-held mixer and pour into three cake pans and bake. While the cakes are cooling, make the cream cheese frosting. Combine softened cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla. Mix with a hand-held mixer until light and fluffy. Once the cakes are cooled, frost them with the frosting and coat the cake with chopped pecans, if desired.

Tips & Frequently Asked Questions

I used Gerber 2nd Foods Carrot Baby Food. The original recipe used Gerber Stage 3 Carrots. They discontinued that product, so I went with the 2nd Foods.
I made this cake in three 8-inch cake pans. The cakes can be baked in any pan you wish, you will just have to adjust the cooking times.
You can make the cakes in advance and store them in an air-tight container overnight before frosting.
The baked cake layers can be frozen for later. When ready to frost the cake, thaw the cake layers and add the frosting.
Can carrot cake be frozen? Yes! You can freeze the frosted cake for later. Remove the cake from the freezer and let thaw on the countertop at least an hour before serving. The cake will keep 2 to 3 months in the freezer.
Can I personalize the cake? Sure! You can add nuts, golden raisins, or sweetened coconut to the batter. Also, feel free to add some orange extract or zest to the cream cheese frosting.
I coated the whole cake with chopped pecans. This is completely optional. You can coat just the top, just the sides, or none of the cake.
Store the frosted cake in the refrigerator. I take the cake out about 30 minutes to an hour before serving.
Leftover carrot cake will keep 2 to 3 days in an air-tight container in the refrigerator.
A decorated and uncut cake will keep up to a week in an air-tight container in the refrigerator.

Easy Dessert for the Holidays

This cake is a real show stopper. The three layers look so impressive when you cut into the cake. Not only is this cake impressive, but it is also DELICIOUS! I am not a big fan of carrot cake, but I can eat a giant piece of this cake! Make sure you have lots of friends to share this cake with, otherwise you might eat the whole thing yourself!

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Recipe

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The BEST Carrot Cake

Author: Plain Chicken

Yield: 12 people

Prep Time 10 mins

Cook Time 30 mins

Total Time 40 mins

The BEST Carrot Cake EVER! This cake is super moist and the cream cheese frosting is to-die-for! I don't even like carrot cake and I ate a HUGE slice of this cake! The secret ingredient in this cake is baby food. I know it sounds weird but it adds so much moisture and you don't have any chunks of carrots in the cake. Flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, vanilla, eggs, oil, baby food, cream cheese, butter, and powdered sugar. Can make the cake up to a week in advance. This is PERFECT for the holidays!

8-inch Round Cake Pan
Hand Mixer
Kitchen-Aid Mixer

Cake

2½ cups all-purpose flour
2½ cups sugar
2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp salt
2 tsp vanilla
4 eggs
1 cup vegetable or canola oil
3 (4-oz) jars carrot baby food (Gerber Stage 2)

Frosting

1 (8-oz) package cream cheese room temperature
1 stick butter room temperature
2 tsp vanilla
4 cups powdered sugar
chopped pecans for garinish

Cake

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Grease and flour three 8-inch round cake pans.
In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients for the cake. Mix well with a hand-held mixer. Divide the batter into the prepared cake pan.
Bake 30 to 35 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean.
Allow cakes to cool for 5 minutes in the pans and then remove from pans and cool completely.
Once the cakes have cooled, frost with Cream Cheese Frosting. Garnish cake with chopped pecans, if desired.

Frosting

In a bowl, combine cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla.
Mix with a hand-held mixer until light and fluffy.

I used Gerber 2nd Foods Carrot Baby Food. The original recipe used Gerber Stage 3 Carrots. They discontinued that product, so I went with the 2nd Foods.
I made this cake in three 8-inch cake pans. The cakes can be baked in any pan you wish, you will just have to adjust the cooking times.
You can make the cakes in advance and store them in an air-tight container overnight before frosting.
The baked cake layers can be frozen for later. When ready to frost the cake, thaw the cake layers and add the frosting.
You can freeze the frosted cake for later. Remove the cake from the freezer and let thaw on the countertop at least an hour before serving. The cake will keep 2 to 3 months in the freezer.
You can add nuts, golden raisins, or sweetened coconut to the batter. Also, feel free to add some orange extract or zest to the cream cheese frosting.
I coated the whole cake with chopped pecans. This is completely optional. You can coat just the top, just the sides, or none of the cake.
Store the frosted cake in the refrigerator. I take the cake out about 30 minutes to an hour before serving.
Leftover carrot cake will keep 2 to 3 days in an air-tight container in the refrigerator.
A decorated and uncut cake will keep up to a week in an air-tight container in the refrigerator.

Did you make this recipe?Mention @plainchicken or tag #plainchicken!

Steph

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Carrots for Baby: A Stage 1 Puree

By Anjali Shah on June 3, 2021 · Last Updated on October 13, 2022

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure.

Naturally sweet, and full of vitamins and nutrients, carrots for baby are an excellent stage 1 food! It’s a simple recipe that takes less than 10 minutes to prepare! Your baby will love this orange vegetable!

This carrot puree baby food recipe is a favorite for young babies. And it is super easy to make! Just peel the carrots, cook for 6-8 minutes, and puree.

Carrots have a sweet taste and mellow flavor which makes it a perfect first food for baby to try.

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Carrots are packed with Vitamin A, and are an excellent source of beta-carotene, which is terrific for your skin and your eyes. It’s also a great first food for your new eater, because it’s less likely to cause an allergic reaction and is very easy to digest.

These carrots for baby are also a great way to get your baby to accept less sweet veggies like broccoli or green beans. You can mix carrots (which are a sweeter veggie) with those less sweet veggies like green beans or peas to make them more palatable.

Why This Recipe Works

Easy stage 1 recipe for baby
Unlikely to cause allergies
Naturally sweet vegetables
Budget friendly
Healthier than store bought commercial baby foods
Full of vitamins and essential nutrients for baby

How to Make Carrots for Baby

Ingredients and Notes

Organic Carrots: I prefer to use large carrots rather than baby carrots. You’ll need about two pounds of carrots. Be sure to peel the carrots, and chop them into small pieces before cooking to reduce the overall cook time. I also recommend buying organic carrots to reduce your baby’s exposure to harmful pesticides. You can find organic carrots at your local farmer’s market or at most grocery stores.

Water: Use fresh filtered water to puree the carrots so that they have a smooth consistency. You can always add more water if needed, a little at a time.

Equipment Needed

A large pot for boiling the carrots.
A high-speed blender or food processor to make the homemade baby food. You don’t need a baby food maker to make the perfect puree!
Mumi & Bubi Trays for storing

Step by Step Instructions

Prepare Carrots: Wash and peel your carrots, cut off stems. Cut carrots lengthwise and cut each half into 8-10 pieces.

Boil Carrots: Throw the carrots into a large pot with 2 1/2 cups of boiling water. Cook carrots for 6-8 minutes until they are tender.

Blend and Freeze: Pour the carrots and water into a blender, puree until you have a smooth texture. Pour into ice cube trays, allow to cool, wrap/cover, and freeze.

Recipe FAQs

Are carrots good for baby?

Yes! Carrots are an excellent source of vitamins and minerals that are essential for your baby’s growth and development. Carrots are high in Vitamin A which helps to support a strong immune system. Vitamin A also supports a baby’s heart, lungs, and kidneys. They are also high in beta-carotene which helps to improve vision, and are a good source of iron. Babies begin to lose iron around 5 months of age, so providing them with iron rich foods is important.

When can I give my baby carrots?

You may introduce your baby to carrots as young as 4 months, but typically 6 months is when solids are first introduced to baby. It is an excellent stage 1 food to give to your baby because it is rich in vitamins, and minerals, while also having a mild and pleasing flavor, and little risk for allergies.

Can you puree raw fresh carrots for baby?

No, I do not recommend pureeing raw carrots for your baby. Be sure to cook them first to soften their texture, then puree combined with water. If you puree raw carrots they will be too chunky and hard. Your baby will not be able to eat them. They need soft purees at the first stage of introducing solid foods, and raw carrots can pose a choking hazard.

How do I make my baby puree smooth?

The key to making this carrot baby food recipe smooth is to be sure you have cooked your carrots long enough so that they are easily pierced with a fork. They should be soft in texture. Then, when you add them to the blender, be sure to add filtered water. If the carrot puree is not quite smooth enough, add a bit more water and blend until you reach your desired consistency.

How to Store and Keep

To Store In The Fridge: Let the carrot purée cool completely. Transfer to an airtight container. It will keep in the fridge for up to 4-5 days.

To Freeze: This carrot puree recipe makes such a large quantity, I recommend freezing it if you can! To freeze, place the puree in an ice cube tray (or trays), wrap with plastic wrap or cover so that its sealed. Freeze overnight. Once frozen, pop the ice cubes out of the tray and place in a zip-top freezer bag. Make sure all air has been pushed out of the bag before sealing. Label with the contents and the date. Frozen carrot puree will keep in the freezer for up to 4 months.

To Defrost: Place the small cubes in an airtight container in the refrigerator to thaw overnight, or place the cube in a bowl, and the bowl in warm water, to defrost more quickly.

Variations and Substitutions

Add Fresh Herbs: This carrot puree will taste delicious with fresh herbs added to the blender. I recommend rosemary, or thyme. Leafy green herbs would also give this recipe a nice fresh flavor. Try adding cilantro, basil, or parsley, with a pinch of garlic!

Add Spices: You can add some mild warm spices to give the carrots extra flavor. I like adding cinnamon, nutmeg, or a mild curry powder.

Make Other Baby Food Combinations: Puree carrots are great to add to other vegetable purees because it has a naturally sweet flavor that tones down the robust flavor of some green vegetables your baby might not be too fond of. Try mixing carrots with spinach, green beans, peas, or sweet potato puree. You can also add it to fruit purees for extra vitamins and minerals. Try mixing with pear puree, apple and prune puree, or banana puree.

Add Milk or Yogurt: Place a few spoonfuls of whole milk yogurt for a creamy flavor, or add breast milk or organic baby formula to help thin out the puree if necessary.

Make Finger Food: For older babies, you can take regular carrots and turn them into carrot sticks! Just cut up the carrots into matchsticks, and either saute, roast in the oven, or boil until they are soft enough to gum.

Make Purple Carrots Puree! There are so many different varieties of carrots, and they all make a great puree. Try purple carrots or even white carrots – they are all great for baby’s diet!

Expert Tips for Making the Best Carrot Puree

This recipe makes a large quantity. Be sure to freeze so that you have carrot puree for your baby for an entire month or more!
Use the Mumi & Bubi Trays for easy storage.
Make sure you have all of the equipment that you need readily available. All you’ll need is a good blender, and a large pot for boiling the carrots. Note: you can also make steamed carrots using a steamer basket. If you choose to go that route, you’ll need to add water into the blender along with the steamed carrot pieces to make the pureed carrots.
Use fresh large organic carrots, not baby carrots. Peel and chop into smaller pieces
Use filtered water when preparing baby food, and adding to your puree.
As with any new food, the first time you serve this to your baby, wait two days before introducing any other baby food puree. Water for allergic reactions in that time to ensure your baby reacts well to the homemade puree.

More Baby Food Recipes and Tips!

10 Easy Baby Food Recipes for Beginners
Sweet Potato Baby Food
Zucchini and Apple Puree
Butternut Squash Puree
Superfoods for Babies and Recipe Ideas

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5 from 7 votes

Carrots for Baby: Stage 1 Puree

Naturally sweet, and full of vitamins and nutrients, carrots for baby are an excellent stage 1 food! It's a simple recipe that takes less than 10 minutes to prepare! Your baby will love this orange vegetable!

Prep Time10 mins

Cook Time15 mins

Total Time25 mins

Course: Baby Food

Cuisine: American

Servings: 32 servings

Calories: 11kcal

Author: Anjali Shah

▢ 2 lbs organic carrots about 7 cups sliced
▢ 2-2½ cups of water

▢
Wash and peel your carrots, cut off stems.
▢
Cut carrots lengthwise and cut each half into 8-10 pieces.
▢
Throw the carrots into a large pot with the water and cook for 6-8 minutes until the carrots are tender.
▢
Pour the carrots and water into a blender, puree until smooth.
▢
Pour into ice cube trays, allow to cool, wrap/cover, and freeze.

https://youtu.be/wuQKckiRKVQVideo can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: Carrots for Baby: A Stage 1 Puree (https://youtu.be/wuQKckiRKVQ)

Expert Tips

Stage 1 Baby Food: 4 months and up
1 ice cube = 1 oz of food serving
This should make about 128 tablespoons of food. Assuming your baby eats about 4 tablespoons of food in each sitting, this makes 32 servings.
Spice up your baby’s food! Serve carrots with basil and garlic, or with a pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg.
This recipe makes a large quantity. Be sure to freeze so that you have carrot puree for your baby for an entire month or more!
Use the Mumi & Bubi Trays for easy storage.
Make sure you have all of the equipment that you need readily available. All you’ll need is a good blender, and a large pot for boiling the carrots.
Use fresh large organic carrots, not baby carrots. Peel and chop into smaller pieces
Use filtered water when preparing baby food, and adding to your puree.
Keeps in the freezer for up to 4 months. Keeps in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

Adapted from BabyLove

Root crops in child nutrition - NTsZD

Root crops proper include carrots, beets, rutabaga, turnips, radishes, radishes, parsley and celery. Potato and sweet potato (sweet potato) are tubers.

Root crops are a source of dietary fiber, sugars, vegetable protein, and the content of vitamins and minerals in them is higher than in the fruits and leaves of other plants. Radishes, radishes, turnips, parsley and celery roots have a high content of essential oils, which limits their use in the nutrition of young children.

Among the root crops, the most demanded carrot , which contains a lot of easily digestible carbohydrates, fiber and pectin, as well as essential oils, some essential amino acids and pigments necessary for the normal functioning of the organs of vision.. For baby food, carrots are useful primarily because of the high content in it of provitamin A, or carotene. This vitamin is also called the growth vitamin, and it is very important for babies, because it contributes to good vision, maintains the normal condition of the skin and mucous membranes. In addition to carotene, carrots contain B vitamins, vitamin C, K, PP, trace elements: iron, calcium, phosphorus, iodine. Carrots improve intestinal motility, the condition of the mucous membranes, accelerate the healing and regeneration of the skin. However, allergic reactions often occur on carrots, so it should be given to a child carefully, taking into account individual tolerance. It should be remembered that carotene belongs to the fat-soluble group of vitamins, therefore, for better absorption, it is good to add a little vegetable oil to carrots, and for older children - cream or sour cream.

It is better to “acquaint” a baby with carrots at the age of 6-7 months. When choosing carrots, pay attention to the appearance of the root. If the “head” of the root crop is green, it is better not to take it, because a dish made from such carrots will be tasteless. Most carotene is in the pulp closer to the edges, which is why it is colored brighter. But the pale yellow core should not be neglected either - it contains the pigment apigenin, which helps strengthen the heart muscle and relieve fatigue.

A useful vegetable for a child is beets . It is distinguished by a high content of easily digestible sugars (sucrose, fructose, glucose), fiber, organic acids, vitamins C, PP, group B, folic acid, carotenoids, bioflavonoids and mineral salts - potassium, sodium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus and iron. The betaines present in beets (a group of phospholipids) contribute to better absorption of proteins, regulate fat metabolism, and improve liver and brain function. Mineral salts of calcium, phosphorus and iron regulate calcium-phosphorus metabolism and activate hematopoiesis. For medicinal purposes, beets are used to stimulate the activity of the intestines with a tendency to constipation. Beets can be safely added to the diet of babies older than a year.

Unlike other vegetables, beets retain vitamins and other useful substances all year round. However, it should be remembered that beetroot can cause allergic reactions, and if it is in excess, diarrhea may develop. In addition, beets actively absorb and accumulate nitrates from the soil. Therefore, for a child, you need to choose environmentally friendly beets and give them in moderation. For young children, the amount of beets is approximately 60 g or 12 teaspoons per day.

Turnip has long been valued in Russia as a healthy and nutritious product. It contains indispensable elements that are necessary for human health. Turnip contains a large amount of vitamin C, which is stored in the root for a long time, contains vitamins B1, B2, PP, beta-carotene, E,. as well as iron, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, magnesium. Turnip is well boiled and absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract. However, the essential oils present in it do not allow the use of turnips in children of the first 2-3 years as the main product, but only in combination with other vegetables, as part of vegetable puree or in soups. Older children can consume the root crop both raw and after heat treatment.

Parsley root and celery root begin to be used only in the nutrition of children who have reached 2-3 years of age. In early childhood, it is recommended to use only the leaf part of plants as a source of vitamins (A, E, K, B6) and minerals (calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron), using them as seasonings for various dishes.

Celery root contains potassium, magnesium, iron and zinc. Parsley roots are rich in vitamins C, A, group B, minerals: potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron. Parsley leaves and roots supply rare elements to the human body: aluminum, lithium, vanadium, titanium, nickel, molybdenum, manganese.

Parsley and celery roots give dishes a distinctive flavor due to the presence of essential oils in them.

Rutabaga is a hybrid of turnip and cabbage, it is also called the Swedish turnip because it prefers the damp climate of temperate and northern latitudes. This root crop is rich in vitamins A, B, B6, P, minerals: calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, sodium, iron and sulfur. In addition, the swede contains sugar, protein, fiber and pectin. But most importantly, it is the undisputed leader among root crops in terms of vitamin C content. Due to its delicate structure, sweetish taste and rather high content of pectin, which promotes digestion, swede is an ideal food product. True, swede can cause excessive gas formation, so the baby should be given it carefully, starting from 8 months.

Rutabaga can be stored for several months without losing its useful properties; when cooked, it retains its valuable substances; it is better to cook it in a double boiler.

Widely used in baby food potatoes . It is high in starch, potassium and vitamin C, as well as vitamins P, B group and bio-flavonoids, which improve the absorption of vitamin C and strengthen the immune system.

Potato tubers are well boiled, the product is easily digested, but in some cases it can increase gas formation in the intestines. In the baby's menu, potatoes can be included from 5-6 months in the form of mashed potatoes.

Russian Union of Pediatricians

Complementary feeding

How to introduce complementary foods correctly is one of the most pressing issues that concern parents.

In the first months of life, the main food for the baby is breast milk or an adapted milk formula, however, as the child grows and develops, this becomes insufficient and it is necessary to think about the introduction of complementary foods.

Your baby is over 4 months old. He has noticeably grown up, become more active, is interested in objects that fall into his field of vision, carefully examines them and reaches for them. The child's emotional reactions have become much richer: he smiles happily at all people, makes various sounds. Perhaps you notice that the child looks into your plate with interest, closely monitors what and how you eat, does this mean that it is time to introduce complementary foods? And where is the best place to start? Let's figure it out!

When should complementary foods be started?

According to the Program for optimizing the feeding of infants in the first year of life in the Russian Federation (2019), the recommended age for the introduction of complementary foods is in the range from 4 to 6 months.

The following points will help determine the readiness of the baby for the introduction of complementary foods:

1. Food interest - you can check its presence as follows: during your meal, give the baby an empty spoon or fork, and if he plays with it, licks it, then there is no food interest yet; but if the child is dissatisfied with the fact that the spoon is empty, food interest has probably appeared. “But how does a child understand that there should be food in a spoon?” Parents often ask. The answer is quite simple: take your baby to the table with you so that he can see how you eat!

2. The child can sit alone or with support. It is unacceptable to feed the child lying down, because he may choke.

3. Extinction of the “pushing out” reflex - when the baby pushes out of the mouth both the offered food and the pacifier, etc.

Why is it not recommended to introduce complementary foods before 4 and after 6 months of life?

Before 4 months of life, the baby is not yet ready to digest food other than breast milk or infant formula. By this age, a number of digestive enzymes mature, a sufficient level of local immunity is formed, which reduces the risk of developing allergic reactions, the child acquires the ability to swallow semi-liquid and thicker food, which is due to the extinction of the “spoon ejection reflex”. The introduction of complementary foods after 6 months can cause a pronounced deficiency of micronutrients (iron, zinc, etc. ) and lead to a delay in the formation of chewing skills for thick foods. Too late the introduction of a variety of products increases the risk of allergic reactions. Remember that the timing of the introduction of complementary foods is set individually, taking into account the readiness of the child to accept new foods.

Complementary feeding guidelines:

1. introduce a new product in the first half of the day to track possible reactions to it;

2. cereals, vegetable / fruit / meat purees should be introduced, starting with monocomponent ones, gradually adding other products of this group;

3. start giving a new product with 1/2 teaspoon, gradually increasing the volume to the age norm within a week;

4. It is not recommended to introduce new products during acute infectious diseases or at some special moments (moving to another apartment, leaving the city, on vacation, illness of parents, etc.).

What is the best way to start complementary foods?

The first complementary food can be anything. Often parents worry that if the child first tries the fruit, then because of its sweet taste, he will refuse other foods. We hasten to reassure you: breast milk is also sweet, so babies may like sweet fruits / berries more, but this does not mean at all that he will refuse vegetables or cereal. Traditionally, they begin to introduce complementary foods in the form of mashed potatoes, but if the child shows interest in “pieces”, then, observing the safety rules, you can give them. Also, along with the introduction of complementary foods, you can offer the child water.

With the start of the introduction of complementary foods, the child is gradually transferred to a 5-time feeding regimen. If the baby shows that he is full and no longer wants to eat (for example, leaning back or turning away from food), then you should not continue to force him to feed, because this can lead to eating disorders in the future. Also, do not force the child to eat as much as possible before bedtime in the hope that he will not wake up for nightly feedings.

Traditionally, in our country, complementary foods begin with vegetables or cereals.

Vegetables: zucchini, broccoli, cauliflower, pumpkin, etc. If the child did not like the dish, for example, broccoli, do not give up on your plan and continue to offer this vegetable in small quantities daily, you can even not once, but 2-3 times, and after a while (7-14 days) the baby will get used to the new taste. This diversifies his diet, will help form the right taste habits in the child.

As for cereals, it is worth starting with dairy-free gluten-free ones - buckwheat, corn, rice. You can use commercial baby food porridge, which is enriched primarily with iron. In addition, such porridge is already ready to eat, you just need to dilute it with water, which will save you a lot of time.

It is also recommended to add oil to food, for example, vegetable puree to vegetable puree, and butter to porridge.

Of meat products, lean meats, such as mashed turkey or rabbit, are most preferred to start complementary foods. Meat puree contains iron, which is easily absorbed, and adding meat to vegetables improves the absorption of this micronutrient from them. Subsequently, the daily use of children's enriched porridge and mashed meat allows you to meet the needs of babies for iron, zinc and other micronutrients.

When introducing fruit purees (apple, pear, peach, prunes, etc.) into your baby's diet, you should pay special attention to the composition of the product - it is important that it does not contain added sugar.

Fish is a source of easily digestible protein and contains a large amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids, including the omega-3 class, as well as vitamins B2, B12, and minerals. Preference should be given to oceanic fish, preferably white (cod, hake, pollock, sea bass, etc.), salmon can be recommended from red, and pike perch from river.

Fermented milk products are prepared using a special starter culture that breaks down milk protein, so that the baby can get an indispensable set of amino acids in a well-available form. Some foods have added prebiotics, certain vitamins and minerals. Their regular use favorably affects the functioning of the intestines, increases appetite and the absorption of micronutrients.

Recommendations and timing of the introduction of complementary foods for children at risk of developing food allergies and suffering from food allergies are the same as for healthy children. Delayed introduction of highly allergenic foods has previously been recommended to prevent the development of allergic diseases in children at risk. There is now evidence that this practice may lead to an increase rather than a decrease in the incidence of food allergies. The most common highly allergenic foods include cow's milk, chicken eggs, soybeans, wheat, peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish and fish. If a child has a high risk of developing allergies or an existing allergic disease, it is recommended to consult a pediatrician, an allergist-immunologist before introducing highly allergenic products.

By the age of 8 months, when all the main food groups have already been introduced and your baby is improving his skills to eat on his own, special attention should be paid to the diversity of the composition of dishes and the change in food consistency - from puree to finely and coarsely ground. Soft foods cut into small pieces (fruits, vegetables, meat, etc.) are perfect for a little gourmet, which diversifies his diet and will contribute to the formation of chewing skills.

By 9-12 months, most babies have the dexterity to drink from a cup (holding with both hands) and to eat foods prepared for other family members. This behavior needs to be encouraged, but combined with regular feeding to meet energy and nutrient requirements.

It is advisable to use industrial products that are designed specifically for young children after a year.

What should not be given to the baby?

It is not recommended to add salt or sugar to food to enhance the taste.

Drinks that should be avoided include fruit juices, whole cow and goat milk (whole milk is not recommended for children under one year old, and even longer, due to a high risk of developing iron deficiency and increased kidney stress), sweet fruit drinks, compotes and carbonated drinks.

Also, some foods should be excluded from the diet of infants: solid round foods (for example, nuts, grapes, raw carrots, raisins, peas, etc.), due to the fact that the child can choke on them.

It is not recommended to eat products with added sugar, for example, confectionery (marshmallow, marshmallow, marmalade, jam, jam, cookies, waffles, etc.), etc.

You should not give your child the meat of large predatory fish (shark, bigeye tuna, king mackerel, swordfish): these types of fish accumulate more harmful substances than others.

It is forbidden to give honey to children under one year old due to the fact that it may contain spores of Clostridium botulinum bacteria, which in the still immature digestive system of babies are able to multiply, produce toxins directly inside the intestines and, thus, cause infant botulism, which can be fatal. outcome.

Do not give babies raw meat, fish, eggs, caviar, salted fish, soft pickled cheeses because of the risk of intestinal infections.

If you follow all these simple rules, your baby will grow up healthy and happy!

Diets for different ages

References:

1. Methodological recommendations. The program for optimizing the feeding of children in the first year of life in the Russian Federation. [Internet]. - M.: Union of Pediatricians of Russia, 2019. [Methodicheskie rekomendaczii. Programma optimizaczii vskarmlivaniya detej pervogo goda zhizni v Rossijskoj Federaczii. [Internet]. – Moscow: Soyuz pediatrov Rossii, 2019.(In Russ.).] Available: http://www.pediatr-russia.ru/information/dokumenty/other-docs/nacprog1year_2019.pdf Link active as of 20.04.2020

2. Duryea T.K. Introducing solid foods and vitamin and mineral supplementation during infancy. In: Post T, ed. UpToDate . Waltham, Mass.: UpToDate; 2020.