Peas baby food age

List of First Vegetables for Infants | Healthy Eating

By Judy Wilson Updated December 09, 2018

What a joyful milestone it is for both infants and their parents when little ones taste their first solid food. Certain vegetables are excellent candidates as some of babies’ first foods. Infants are usually ready to start eating vegetables when they are about 6 months old, but check with your pediatrician or nutritionist for more detailed information and guidance. If you have a bit of time, it’s easy to prepare infants’ vegetables at home. Alternatively, you may buy jars of baby food at your grocery store. If you give your baby whole food pieces, rather than pureed baby food, cut them up into pieces that are small enough to minimize choking risk.

Squash

Squashes, including yellow summer squash, zucchini, butternut squash, acorn squash, pumpkin and other winter squash varieties, are some of the simplest and most suitable vegetables for infants. You can bake or steam them, then peel and mash by hand or puree in your blender. Add some pure water, if desired, to make the consistency more liquid. Look for jars of squash baby food in the grocery store if you prefer not to cook it yourself.

Sweet Potatoes or Yams

The beautiful deep orange color and soft texture of sweet potatoes and yams are sure to appeal to infants. Simply bake whole sweet potatoes or steam sliced sweet potatoes, and then peel them thoroughly. Mash them with a fork or blend them with some pure water in your food processor or blender. Sweet potatoes are popular as a baby food, so you should have no trouble finding jars of baby food at the store if you don't want to make your own.

Carrots

Carrots provide flavor and bright orange color that infants tend to find appealing. It’s easy to prepare them yourself at home by first steaming or boiling them and then turning them into a liquid-like consistency in your blender or food processor. If you don’t have time to prepare carrots, jars of baby food carrots are readily available at grocery stores.

Peas

Peas provide a vibrant green color and delicious sweet taste that infants may find appealing. Mash steamed or boiled warm peas along with some water or breast milk, and feed them to your infant with a baby-sized spoon. At 6 months old, your baby can eat peas prepared in this way. Keep frozen peas on hand for convenience. Whole peas are unsafe for children to eat until they are 3 years old because of the choking risk involved, so hold off on serving them until then.

Green Beans

For young babies just starting to eat solid foods, serve mashed or pureed frozen or fresh green beans. Mash or puree cooked green beans until the texture is smooth, by hand or in your food processor, and mix in a little water or breast milk to create a more liquid consistency. You can combine and serve mashed or pureed green beans with other first vegetables such as mashed or pureed carrots for flavor complexity.

References

BabyFood101: Carrots
BabyFood101: Sweet Potato/Yams
BabyFood101: Green Beans
BabyFood101: Winter Squash
BabyFood101: Peas
Kids Eat Right: Baby Food – Make It Yourself? MayoClinic.com: Solid Foods – How to Get Your Baby Started

Writer Bio

Judy Wilson has writing and editing expertise in health, technology, pets, business and travel. She has contributed to USAToday.com, SFGate.com and numerous other publications. Wilson earned a Bachelor of Arts in journalism and mass communication from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she completed Mini Medical School.

Can Babies Eat Peas? - Netmums

BABY

First published on Thursday 7 July 2022

Find out when it’s safe to feed your baby peas, plus get tips on how to safely prepare peas for your weaning little one, as well as useful allergy information.

This page contains affiliate links, which means we may earn a small amount of money if a reader clicks through and makes a purchase. All our articles and reviews are written independently by the Netmums editorial team.

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The official advice on when babies can eat peas

The NHS advises that you can safely give your baby peas after they start solid foods at about 6 months old. However, whole individual peas can potentially be a choking hazard. The safest way to feed peas to your weaning baby is when they are mashed, pureed, or squashed.

As your baby grows, the risk of choking is reduced, but not gone, so you should always keep an eye on your little one when eating peas. The NHS suggests offering whole peas from about 10 months onwards.

Peas can be introduced to your baby's diet when they start to eat solid foods, are able to sit up and hold their head up by themselves, and their hand-eye coordination is good enough to grasp food and bring it to their mouth. This usually is around 6 months old.

Your baby will still be getting the majority of their vitamins from breast milk or formula milk at six months, so you only need to feed them small amounts of peas to get them used to the flavour.

Pea are full of vitamins and minerals, and are high in protein and fibre, making them a healthy choice for your little one as they move away from getting all their nutrients from breast milk or formula.

How to prepare peas for your baby

While individual peas are not normally listed as a choking hazard, any small, round food could potentially cause your baby to choke, especially when they're just starting out with weaning.

That's why the safest way to prepare peas for your little one when they are weaning is to boil or steam them, and then either:

Mash or puree them with breast milk, formula or water and spoon feed them to your baby (or let your baby scoop it up in their hand)
Flatten the peas with a fork and serve them spread out on a table or tray so your baby can eat them with their hands (perfect for baby-led weaning)

Make sure the peas have thoroughly cooled before serving them.

As your baby grows, you can change the consistency of mashed peas to be coarser, which will help your baby get used to different textures.

By about 10 to 12 months, it should be fine to give your baby whole cooked peas to eat. This is a great way for them to practice their pincer grasp, teaching them to pick up small objects with their fingers.

Health benefits of peas for babies

Peas are a good choice for your little one as part of a balanced diet, as they're full of healthy vitamins, minerals, and nutrients, such as:

calcium (for building strong bones and teeth)
fibre (for healthy digestion)
magnesium (for energy and bone health)
potassium (for lowering blood pressure)
protein (to help the body grow and repair)
vitamin A (for a healthy immune system, skin and vision)
vitamin B1 (thiamin - for breaking down and releasing energy from foods)
vitamin B3 (niacin - for releasing energy from foods and healthy skin and nervous system)
vitamin C (ascorbic acid - for protecting cells, healthy skin and wound healing)
vitamin E (for strengthening the immune system and healthy skin and eyes)
vitamin K (for helping wounds to heal)
zinc (for strengthening the immune system)

Could my baby be allergic to peas?

Yes, but it's not likely. Peas are legumes, and allergies to legumes such as peanuts and soy can be quite common in babies and children. While a pea allergy is not as common as peanut or soy allergies, it's also not rare.

It's also been shown in a 2015 case study that it's possible to have an allergy to cooked peas while having no reaction to raw ones.

If your child does have an allergy to peas, you should keep an eye out on food labels, as research shows that pea protein is becoming more common as an additive in many types of food.

It's a good idea to introduce foods that can cause an allergy one at a time, with several days between them. That way, if your baby does have a reaction, you'll know which food caused it.

According to the NHS, the main foods that can cause an allergy are:

cow's milk
eggs
foods that contain gluten, including wheat, barley and rye
nuts and peanuts (serve them crushed or ground)
seeds (serve them crushed or ground)
soya
shellfish (don't serve raw or lightly cooked)
fish

So try to avoid giving any of these other foods at the same time as you give your baby peas for the first time.

Signs of allergies in babies

If your baby does have an allergy, you'll probably notice one or more of the following symptoms:

diarrhoea or vomiting
a cough
wheezing and shortness of breath
itchy throat and tongue
itchy skin or rash
swollen lips and throat
runny or blocked nose
sore, red and itchy eyes

If you think your baby may have an allergy, speak to your health visitor or GP. If the reaction is mild, don't cut important foods out of your baby's diet until you've received medical advice, as your baby could miss out on important nutrients.

Pea recipes for babies

Pea puree for babies
Weaning leek & peas
Sweet potato, spinach and pea puree
Frog soup
Green pea hummus

If you're looking for more tips on how to feed your kids, or you want to discuss your weaning journey with other parents in our forum, check out the links below.

green and canned peas for kids

for the child's body. Legumes contain a large amount of vegetable proteins, which is very useful for maintaining normal intestinal microflora and the full functioning of the digestive system. That is why many mothers have a question, at what age can you start giving peas to a child and how best to introduce it into a children's diet. nine0007

1 When can you give peas to your child

1.1 Benefits of peas for children

1.2 When and how can you give peas to your child

1.3 How to cook peas for children's menu

1.3.1 Pea soup for children

canned peas

1.3.2.1 , iron, cobalt and other minerals, amino acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, vegetable protein and fiber. nine0007

Useful properties of peas for children:

normalizes the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, effectively fights constipation;
accelerates the removal of toxins, metal salts and other harmful substances from the body;
increases the level of hemoglobin in the blood, preventing the development of anemia;
improves the functioning of the nervous system and brain;
stimulates metabolism;
strengthens the cardiovascular system;
ensures the full formation of skeletal elements and muscle tissues;
increases the body's immune forces.

When answering at what age green peas can be given to a child, pediatricians recommend that you take into account the possible harm and contraindications of this product.

Introducing vegetables into baby food too early can cause flatulence and bloating. Many babies have problems with stool after eating peas. nine0007

Legumes have several contraindications. They are not allowed to be introduced into complementary foods with gastritis, colitis, stomach or duodenal ulcers, a tendency to frequent constipation or diarrhea.

When and how can peas be given to a child?

Basic rules for introducing peas into baby food:

For the first time, the child should be given pea puree or pureed cream soups. nine0034
For baby food, from 7 months it is allowed to give ready-made canned purees, which must correspond to the age of the baby.
For "acquaintance" the baby is given the minimum amount of food - no more than half a teaspoon. If the child tolerates the new product well, gradually the portion can be increased to 2-3 tablespoons.
For the first portion, the baby is given only pure, one-component puree, without any additives.
It is recommended to feed your baby with pea foods no more than 1-2 times a week. nine0034
Before reaching the age of two, peas are given to babies only in boiled form.
A mature vegetable can only be added to baby food after 2 years of age.
The use of dry peas as part of various dishes is allowed only after 3 years.

When can I introduce legumes (lentils, soybeans, peas, etc.) into my child's diet? Tips for Parents

Watch this video on YouTube

Many mothers are wondering at what age can children be given canned peas, because they are part of many delicious salads, side dishes and other dishes. Babies over 3 years old can use canned peas no more than once a week, 1 spoonful. nine0007

Ways to prepare peas for the children's menu

You can feed your baby with various green pea dishes. Before cooking, it must be boiled.

wash peas under running water;
soak the product with a little water and leave for 8-10 minutes;
after that, the peas should be boiled until softened over low heat.

Dry peas are boiled after pre-soaking in cool water for 3-4 hours. After that, the product must be boiled in a large amount of water, after cooking, salt and grind to a puree state using a blender. nine0007

For children over the age of two, you can include more complex and multi-component dishes in the menu, which include green peas. These are various salads, casseroles with butter, stews. It is used as a side dish for meat, fish and other vegetable dishes.

Children's Pea Soup

Various recipes for green pea soup are used for the children's menu. This is a delicious, nutritious and healthy first course that kids will love. nine0007

Boil the soup for 13-15 minutes, then add young green peas and finely chopped fresh herbs, salt. After 8-10 minutes the dish is ready. Leave it under the lid for 10-15 minutes, after which you can feed the baby.

If desired, the soup can be prepared with vegetable broth. Pediatricians do not recommend using recipes for children's diets that include fatty meats or smoked meats.

Frozen and canned peas

Frozen green peas can be used for cooking. Freezing preserves many vitamins and other useful substances. Frozen peas are stored in pods and used throughout the year as needed. nine0007

Babies can eat canned peas no more than once a week, 1 spoonful. Industrial preservation involves the use of sugar, preservatives, flavors and other chemical additives that will not benefit the child's body. Therefore, it is best to preserve legumes yourself, without the use of salt and table vinegar.

Read on the topic Vinaigrette for children: at what age can you give it, recipe

Green peas are a tasty and nutritious vegetable that saturates the child's body with useful vitamins, micro and macro elements and other elements. Legumes effectively improve the functioning of the digestive system, fight constipation and increase immunity. When introducing a product into the children's menu, it is imperative to take into account the recommendations of pediatricians and age restrictions - this will help you get the most out of pea foods. nine0007

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90,000 in the children's food - Telegraph

The feature : Voizes meteorism and the entrance entrance. Pea fruits can be introduced into the diet of children from 2 years.

Pea is a herbaceous plant, the stem of which is hollow inside, with many tendrils. Pea blooms with white flowers, possibly with a purple tint. The fruits of peas are round in shape, arranged in a pod in several pieces. nine0007

100 grams of peas contain 298 kcal

Macronutrients

Trace elements

Vitamin PP - 2.2 mg

Beta-carotene - 0.01 mg

Vitamin A (RE) - 2 mcg

Vitamin B1 (thiamine) - 0. 81 mg

nine0002 Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) - 0.15mg

Vitamin B5 (pantothenic) - 2.2 mg

Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) - 0.27mg

Vitamin B9 (folic) - 16 mcg

Vitamin E (TE) - 0.7 mg

Vitamin H (Biotin) - 19mcg

Vitamin PP (niacin equivalent) - 6.5mg

Choline - 200 mg

Calcium - 115 mg

nine0002 Magnesium - 107 mg

Sodium - 33 mg

Potassium - 873 mg

Phosphorus - 329 mg

Chlorine - 137 mg

Sulfur - 190 mg

Iron - 6.8 mg

Zinc - 3.18 mg

Iodine - 5.1 mcg

Copper - 750 mcg

Manganese - 1.75 mg

Selenium - 13.1 mcg

nine0002 Chromium - 9 mcg

Fluorine - 30 mcg

Molybdenum - 84.2 mcg

Boron - 670 mcg

Vanadium - 150 mcg

Silicon - 83 mg

Cobalt - 13.1 mcg

Nickel - 246.6 mcg

Tin - 16.2 mcg

Titanium - 181 mcg

Strontium - 80 mcg

Aluminum - 1180 mcg

nine0002 Zirconium - 11.

2 mcg

Different varieties of peas may differ in shape and color, and there can also be from 4 to 10 seeds in a row. Peas are divided into two main categories: sugar varieties and shelling.

Composition and nutritional properties of peas

100 g of peas contain:

Proteins - 20.5 g
Fats - 2 g
Carbohydrates - 49.5 g
Dietary fiber - 11.2 g
Water - 14 g
Mono- and disaccharides - 4.6 g
Starch - 44.9 g
Ash - 2.8 g
Saturated fatty acids - 0.2 g
Unsaturated fatty acids - 1.39 g

Useful properties of peas

Peas are well absorbed by the body. It is considered a therapeutic and prophylactic product, since it normalizes metabolism, strengthens the walls of blood vessels, helps reduce the risk of cancer, hypertension, heart attack, and slows down the aging process of the skin. nine0007

The protein found in peas is similar to meat protein. It contains a number of essential amino acids. Peas are rich in ascorbic acids, PP vitamins, B groups, carotene, fiber, starch. The nutritional value is much higher than other vegetables.

Contraindications for use

It is not recommended to use peas in solid form for people with a stomach ulcer, duodenal ulcer.

Peas in children's diet

Peas are useful in baby food. It combines such useful substances as B vitamins, vitamin E, C, carotene, vitamin PP. Peas also contain a large amount of potassium, manganese, phosphorus, lipotropic substances (choline and inositol). In the summer season, experts recommend including natural green peas and their green spatulas in the children's diet.

Cooking and consistency

Peas can be consumed boiled - soups, mashed potatoes. It is necessary to cook for about an hour crushed peas in half, and 1-1, 5 - whole. Previously, like all legumes, you need to soak for 10-12 hours. nine0007

Pea recipes for children

Pea soup

Ingredients:

Meat - 500 g
Peas - 200 g
Onion - 200g
Carrots - 2 pcs.
Potatoes - 3 pcs.

Preparation:

Pre-soak the peas for 4-5 hours. Then boil the meat broth and add the peas there. Cook for 1-1.5 hours. Add potatoes to broth. Finely chop the carrots and onions, fry in sunflower oil and add to the soup. Cook until done. Add salt and dill to taste. nine0007

Dried green peas with mushroom patties

Ingredients:

Dried green peas
Dried mushrooms - 50 g
Rice - 1 cup
Salt, nutmeg - to taste
Parsley

Preparation:

Soak peas for 4-5 hours and cook. Dried mushrooms, also pre-soaked, boil and chop. Then rice should be boiled with nutmeg, salt, parsley and mixed with mushrooms. Make cutlets from this minced meat, roll them in breadcrumbs and eggs and fry in butter. nine0007

Make a fry: 1 teaspoon flour, 1 teaspoon oil. Then dilute it with a glass of mushroom and pea broth, boil everything. The finished side dish should be served with mushroom cutlets.

Pork Rib Soup

Ingredients:

Lean Pork Ribs - 500-700g
Dry Peas - 1 tea cup
Potatoes - 3 pcs.
Bulb - 1 pc. nine0034
Carrots - 1-2 pcs.
Salt, herbs

Preparation:

Soak the peas in cold water for 10-12 hours. Pour the ribs with two liters of cold water, bring to a boil. For young children, the soup should be boiled in a secondary meat broth. Then you need to peel the potatoes and cut it into 4 parts.