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Steam peas for baby food


Pea Baby Puree (4-6+ Months/Stage 1)

This Pea Baby Puree with mint is a smooth and mild baby food puree that is perfect for your baby’s first bite! Your baby will love this green puree thanks to its fresh and earthy flavor. It’s a great stage 1 baby food for 4-6 months and up.

Medically reviewed and co-written by Jamie Johnson, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), and Lauren Braaten, Pediatric Occupational Therapist (OT).

Homemade Pea Baby Food

Don’t get caught up on what you think pea baby food is going to taste like.

Store-bought brands can be thick and lumpy with a strong acidic taste of overly cooked peas. Don’t even get me started on the smell! 🤢

But this homemade pea puree is exactly the opposite! And trust me; it tastes nothing like you expect.

I’m telling you… this pea baby food is beyond delicious. It’s heavenly!

Smooth and creamy with a mild taste and a hint of minty freshness, it’s also bright and appetizing to look at.

It will actually put a smile on your and your baby’s faces! 😁 

Is it your first time making homemade baby food? Then I suggest you start this journey by reading my in-depth Guide on How to Make Homemade Baby Food. The detailed guide goes over all the important information such as the best cooking tools to have on hand, safe storage, how to know when baby is ready for solids, how to introduce purees, the best first foods for baby, and more! You can also check out my best-selling cookbook for even more information and recipes!

Pea Baby Puree Video

Watch this video to see just how easy this Pea Baby Puree is to make!

Reasons to Love this Pea Baby Puree
  • great baby food for 4-6+ months
  • starter puree
  • 3 simple ingredients
  • super smooth and creamy
  • delicious green puree
  • easy to make — requires less than 10 minutes
  • freezer-friendly
  • budget-friendly
  • homemade
  • healthy
  • organic – can easily (and cheaply) use organic peas and zucchini
  • can use fresh or frozen peas

Ingredients

Make sure to read the recipe card below for the full ingredient list and instructions!

  • Peas: They are high in fiber, folate, vitamins A, C, and K, and are a good source of protein. They also help promote healthy digestion and may protect against cancer.
  • Zucchini: While this is a 2-vegetable starter puree, zucchini allergies are very low, so I added it to this recipe to give the peas a mild taste and a smoother, creamier texture. You can completely leave it out if you prefer. Just steam the peas as directed below.
  • Mint: This is an ideal herb to add to baby food because it helps soothe an upset stomach, improves digestion, can help improve mental awareness and focus, and is rich in nutrients. However, adding mint to this puree is entirely optional.

Heath Benefits of Peas
  • A good source of protein
  • Contains a high amount of fiber, which helps with digestion
  • Contains an array of micronutrients, such as thiamine, folate, manganese, vitamins K and C
  • A good source of antioxidants

Frequently Asked Questions

When can babies eat peas?

development, which generally comes between 4-6 months of age. Some of the developmental milestones babies need to reach in order to start solids include: if your baby has solid control of their head and neck, if your baby has doubled in weight, and if your baby is reaching for or opening their mouth when you eat (see my guide here). Before you start your baby on purees, you should consult with your pediatrician to make sure your child is developmentally ready.

Can peas be baby’s first food?

Peas can 100% be baby’s first food if you want it to be. It is recommended to wait to introduce the top eight allergen foods to your baby once a few other well-tolerated foods have been introduced, but otherwise, foods can be introduced in any order so choose whatever you are most excited for your baby to have. 

Are peas a common allergen for baby?

No, peas are not a common allergen, however, as with any food, start with a small portion and be aware of any signs that might be an allergic reaction after introducing it.

Do peas cause constipation for babies?

No, peas are not known to cause constipation in babies, and they may actually help relieve constipation in babies due to the high fiber content that makes it easier for your baby to pass stools.

Can you use frozen peas for baby food?

Yes, you can definitely use frozen peas in baby food! For this recipe, I added the frozen peas straight into the steamer basket to cook along with the zucchini. You can also freeze the peas once they are cooked and pureed.

How to Make Pea Baby Puree
  1. Bring Water To Boil: Bring a saucepan with a little water to a boil.
  2. Steam Zucchini: Add chopped zucchini (optional) to a steamer basket, cover, and steam for 5 minutes.
  3. Steam Peas: Add the peas (fresh or frozen) and steam for another 3-5 minutes.
  4. Let Cool: Let it cool slightly and reserve the steamer water.
  5. Transfer to Blender: Transfer the cooked peas and zucchini to the blender or food processor.
  6. Add Mint: Add in the chopped mint or another spice.
  7. Puree: Puree until smooth or creamy, adding reserved water if needed to thin out the puree.
  8. Serve or Freeze.

Tools Needed
  • Medium Saucepan
  • Steamer Basket
  • Blender or Food Processor
  • Freezer Tray
  • Storage Containers for Fridge
  • highchair
  • suction bowl or baby bowl
  • baby spoon
  • open lid cup
  • bib with catch pocket

Other Cooking Methods

While I love the fresh flavor of steamed peas with mint, there are several ways you can cook peas for baby food. 

BEABA Babycook

Does anything sound better than a homemade baby food puree with a 15-second hands-on prep and cook time? I didn’t think so. Let me introduce you to the magic of the BEABA Babycook! With the touch of a button, the Babycook will cook and blend the peas into a smooth and creamy baby food puree! It’s like magic. To make, place 2 cups of peas into the stainless steel steamer basket, and place the basket into the glass container, closing the lid. Fill the reservoir tank to a level 3, close and lock the lid. Hit the steam button and let the machine do its magic. Once steamed, transfer the peas into the glass container, leaving the water. Add in a pinch of fresh mint, if using. Close the lid, and hit the blend button for 1 minute or until the puree is smooth.

Full Review: read my full, in-depth and honest review of the BEABA Babycook Neo here! Make sure to grab 15% off your Babycook with code (BabyFoode15)!

Skillet

In a medium skillet, add 2 cups of frozen peas. Cook over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring often. Puree in a blender as directed below.  

Boiling

Place 2 cups of peas into a medium saucepan, add enough water to cover the peas, and bring to a boil. Reduce to simmer and cook for 8-10 minutes or until tender. Puree in a blender as directed below. Note that boiling will rid the peas of some nutrients as they are leached into the boiling water, so steaming or using a skillet is preferred. If you need liquid to thin out the puree, use some of the leftover water.

Great Pea Combination Purees

While this pea puree is delicious and satisfying by itself, it’s also easy to mix and match with other nutrient-dense baby food purees. So give these fun flavor combos a try!

  • Apples
  • Broccoli
  • Bananas
  • Pears
  • Quinoa Baby Cereal 
  • Fennel and Peaches
  • Green Beans
  • Chicken
  • Spinach
  • Soft Tofu
  • Mango
  • Yogurt
WeeSprout Silicone Baby Food Freezer Tray

Our favorite freezer storage container for baby food! Made of 100% food-grade silicone and comes with a hard clip-on lid. Large 3oz sections with 2oz markings to make sure you have the right amount for your baby.

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Adding Spices

While the most popular option is adding mint to baby food, you can also add a splash of lemon or lime juice, 1/2 tsp coconut oil, 1 tsp chopped basil, 1 tsp chopped parsley, or 1/4 tsp fresh ginger.

Tip on Spices: I always add spices or herbs to my baby food purees, but you can choose to leave them out in all of your baby food. You do you! Either way, this puree will surely taste amazing. 

How to Store Pea Baby Food

Refridgerator

You can store this puree in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. 

Freezer

This puree can be frozen for up to 4 months.

  • Spoon puree into a freezer storage container. Do not overfill. 
  • Place the lid on the storage container or cover with a piece of saran wrap, and label with the date and recipe name.  
  • Place the tray into the freezer and let it freeze completely — preferably overnight. 
  • Pop-out the baby food cubes and place them in a ziplock baggie or stasher bag. Don’t forget to relabel the baggie or stasher bag for future reference.

Need more information on how to store your baby foods? Head over to my Best Baby Food Storage Containers – Plus 6 Tips on Freezing and Thawing post!

Related

15 Stage One Baby Food Purees

Feeding Tips

  • Follow your baby’s lead – when feeding purees from a spoon, sometimes there’s a tendency to keep offering bites past the point of your baby being full. Always follow baby’s cues for when they are done eating. Turning away from the spoon, closing her mouth, or pushing food away are all signs that baby is finished with the meal.
  • Try adding a little seasoning or spice to purees – babies like flavor! Or consider changing the temperature of purees from time to time, to slightly warmed or slightly chilled. Varying these aspects adds to the sensory experience!
  • Place a small amount of puree on the tray during spoon feeding, so that your baby can dip their fingers or hands in the puree. Allowing baby to explore foods in this way helps them learn to self-feed and can help them be more willing to try new textures and foods in the future.

Or watch a shortened version of this video here.

  • 2 cups peas, fresh or frozen
  • 1/2 cup zucchini, roughly chopped (optional)
  • 4 mint leaves, roughly chopped (optional)

  • Steam: In a medium saucepan, bring 2″ of water to a boil over medium heat. Place the zucchini in a steamer basket, and place over boiling water. Cover and steam for 5 minutes.

  • Add Peas: Add in the peas, and steam for an additional 3-5 minutes. Reserve steamer water. Let cool slightly.

  • Blend: Add the zucchini, peas and mint leaves to a blender or food processor and puree for 1 minute or until you have achieved the desired texture. If the puree is too thick, add in 1/4 cup of the reserved steamer water until you have the right consistency.

  • Serve: let cool and serve to your baby or freeze for a later meal.

Age: 4-6 months and up

Yield: 15 ounces

Note on Zucchini: while this is a 2 vegetable starter puree, zucchini allergies are very low, so I added it to this recipe to give the peas a mild taste and smoother texture. You can completely leave them out if you prefer. Just steam the peas as directed. 

Additional Spices: instead of the mint, feel free to use a splash of lemon or lime juice, 1/2 tsp coconut oil, 1 tsp chopped basil, 1 tsp chopped parsley or 1/4 tsp fresh ginger.

Storage: Fridge – store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Freezer – can be frozen for up to 4 months.

 

Blender

Freezer Tray

Saucepan

Tripp Trapp High Chair

Bumkins Baby Bowl

Serving: 1ounce, Calories: 15kcal, Carbohydrates: 2.9g, Protein: 1.1g, Fat: 0.1g, Sodium: 1mg, Potassium: 57mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1.2g, Calcium: 5mg

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Pea Puree For Babies - Eating Bird Food

Pea puree is a great first food when introducing solids to babies and all you need is a bag of frozen peas and a blender or food processor!

Pea puree is such a great first food for babies! It has a brilliant green color and is full of nutrients, including a good amount of plant-based protein.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Peas are naturally sweet, healthy and a great option for introducing your baby to solids!
  • It’s smooth, creamy and a beautiful green color sure to entice and excite your baby.
  • Peas are a great source of protein, fiber and vitamins.

Pea Nutrition for Infants

Peas are an excellent legume to feed your baby! Yep, you read correctly… despite what most people think, peas are actually a legume and not a vegetable. They fall into the same category as lentils, chickpeas and even peanuts! However, most often peas are categorized as a starchy vegetable, similar to corn and potatoes.

When starting your baby on solids, peas are a great first choice. They’re naturally sweet and pack a punch with nutrition, containing a variety of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

Peas also have a higher protein content at 4 grams per half cup serving. Plus, you’ll find vitamins A, K and C, thiamine, folate, manganese, iron and phosphorus in peas! (source) These are all crucial in helping baby grow and develop. And fiber is great for their little digestive systems.

How to Make a Puree

Making pea puree is super simple! I like using frozen peas, but fresh peas work as well. Either way, you’ll want to steam them first.

To steam the peas, fill a pot with about 1 inch of water and add a steamer basket to the pot. Then add 2 cups of peas. Bring the water to a low boil, cover with a lid and steam the peas for about 3-6 minutes. You’ll know the peas are done when they are bright green and tender. Remove from heat and let peas cool.

Once cooled, place the peas in a high powered blender or food processor and blend into a puree. You can add breast milk, formula or water as needed to get the desired consistency.

tip! After steaming, give the peas a cold water bath to preserve that brilliant green color and stop them from cooking!

Baby Food Combinations with Peas

For early stage 1 eaters, pea puree served plain with a spoon is perfect. You want to make sure it’s very thin with no lumps, so thin it out with water, formula or breast milk if necessary. When baby starts moving into stage 2 and 3 foods you can make fun combination purees (see ideas below) or add pea puree to different foods like yogurt, smoothies and oatmeal for babies.

Foods That Pair Well With Pea Puree

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

Pea Baby Food Combo Ideas

Peas and carrots are probably the most common baby food combination you’ll find in stores, but there are a ton a different baby food combinations with peas.

  • Carrots and peas
  • Peas and mint
  • Zucchini, peas and lentils
  • Pear and peas
  • Mango, pear and peas
  • Apple, spinach and peas
  • Yogurt, peas and apples
  • Carrot, peas and quinoa
  • Banana and peas
  • Peas, green beans and asparagus

Feel free to get creative, the options are really limitless! For more stage 2+ ideas, check out these 6 baby food combinations.

Pea Puree FAQ

How do you keep pea puree bright green?

The best way to keep pea puree bright green is to not overcook them. When you remove them from heat, they will keep cooking as they cool. To avoid this, give the peas an ice water bath after steaming to stop the cooking process!

What if my puree is too watery?

If you added too much water, formula or breast milk to the puree, the best thing to do is make more pea puree to add to it. Steam and blend more peas, adding just enough water for them to blend and not stick to the blender. Then add the new puree to your watery puree to thicken. I suggest adding liquid 1 teaspoon at a time to avoid it becoming too watery.

Can I make pea puree in advance?

Of course! Pea puree keeps in the fridge for 3-4 days and freezes nicely as well. I recommend freezing in small cubes so you can thaw only what you need at a time.

Should you strain pea puree?

As long as it’s thin enough with no lumps, pea puree should be fine without straining. However, if you’re concerned or want an extra smooth puree, you can put the pea puree through a sieve or cheese cloth to reduce the fibers.

How to Store

Storing pea puree is a breeze! You can either store in the fridge for 3-4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. If you want to freeze, I recommended using silicone ice cube trays or small freezer-safe jars so you can easily thaw small amounts when you want to use them!

How to Reheat or Thaw Frozen Pea Puree

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

Other Ways to Use Pea Puree

Pea 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:

  • As a dip or spread – chefs often add ingredients like garlic, mint, butter, chicken broth and/or lemon juice to pea puree for extra flavor and use the puree to decorate a plate and add an extra layer of flavor to a dish. I could see a pea puree of this nature being great as a dip or side dish as well. This minted pea puree looks lovely.
  • Make a smoothie – peas can add a boost of protein, sweetness and creamy texture to smoothies. You can add the puree straight into a smoothie, but frozen pea puree give smoothies a great texture No need to thaw, just pop a couple cubes of pea puree into your blender with the rest of your smoothie ingredients. Try it in my green protein smoothie.

More Baby Food Purees

  • Sweet Potato Puree
  • Butternut Squash Puree
  • Peach Puree
  • Carrot Puree
  • Banana Puree
  • Mango Puree
  • Pumpkin Puree
  • Applesauce
  • Strawberry Puree
  • Blueberry Puree

More Recipes and Resources

  • Healthy Smash Cake
  • Baby French Toast
  • Banana Pancakes For Babies
  • Baby Yogurt Melts

Check out my guide to introducing solids for more ideas and information on feeding little ones and all of my baby food recipes as well.

How to Make Pea Puree

5 from 5 votes

Pea puree is a great first food when introducing solids to babies and all you need is a bag of frozen peas and a blender or food processor!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 7 minutes

Total Time 12 minutes

Servings 4

  • 2 cups frozen peas
  • ⅓-½ cup water, breastmilk or formula, to thin

  • Fill a pot with about 1 inch of water, add peas to a steamer basket and place inside of the pot. Bring water to a low boil, cover with lid and steam peas for 3-6 minutes, or until bright green and tender. Remove from heat and let peas cool.

  • Place peas in a blender or food processor and blend, adding liquid (breast milk, formula or water) as needed to get the desired consistency.

  • Store pea puree in the fridge for 3-4 days or in the freezer or up to 3 months. I like to freeze the puree in silicone ice cube trays or small freezer-safe jars so I can easily thaw small amounts when I want to use them.

  • I recommend thawing frozen puree in the fridge the night before you want to use it, but you can also thaw it quickly with a warm water bath.

  • food processor

  • blender

  • If you want to add the most nutrition to the puree, I recommend using breastmilk or formula instead of water to thin the pea puree. 

Serving: 4ounces Calories: 70kcal Carbohydrates: 12g Protein: 5g Fat: 1g Sodium: 105mg Fiber: 4g Sugar: 6g

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Feeding peas - Encyclopedia Baby food

Levchuk Victoria© Levchuk Victoria© peas

Peas in complementary foods are necessary for a small child. For diversity and health. Strictly speaking, green peas are not a vegetable. It is part of the legume family, it is a plant that produces pods with seeds inside. Lentils, chickpeas, beans, and peanuts are also legumes.

However, green peas are usually cooked and sold as vegetables. You can find it frozen, fresh or canned.

The nutritional value of peas is amazing considering the small size of the peas. Did you know that one cup of peas contains more protein than a tablespoon of peanut butter, as well as calcium, vitamins A and C, and iron. These wonderful little vegetables are a great first green food for a baby as they are both nutritious and delicious.

Types of peas

Contents:

Since childhood I know that peas can be different. There are sweet varieties that are grown for salad or just to eat, and there are varieties that are good to dry and eat in the winter.

Peas are one of the earliest crops to ripen in spring and can be used in all kinds of culinary dishes.

Peas are fairly easy to grow. The hardest part of growing peas is choosing which variety to grow. There are basically three types of peas: sugar, shelling and brain peas. There are also fodder varieties , but we will not discuss them here. Each goes by several names, which makes the choice even more confusing. But it is important for us to know their differences.

Sugar variety is the sweetest and is eaten fresh with the pod.

green peas for children

Peeling variety is used for conservation, long-term storage, it makes delicious soup in winter. Brain peas are always canned.

Pea season from the beginning of June to July, depends on the strip of Russia. In our south, children can already buy from mid-May.

History of peas

green peas

When exactly peas were first discovered remains a mystery, however, there are many assumptions. For example, the first appearance of the pea is thought to have been in Central Asia, especially in Burma and Thailand or Afghanistan, the eastern edge of the Mediterranean basin, and the mountain ranges and plateaus of Ethiopia.

Fossilized pea pods found in Switzerland date back to 10,000 years ago. In the 3rd century BC, Theophrastus mentions peas that were sown in the later winter. Pea cultivation is believed to have spread to India, China and Europe in the 2nd millennium BC. Roman legionaries harvested wild peas to supplement their diet in the 1st century BC.

green peas

Peas were brought to North America by Christopher Columbus in 1942, where they were quickly adopted by Native Americans. During the Middle Ages, peas were a stable food that kept hunger at bay, and during the early modern era in Europe, unripe fresh peas were prized as a gourmet meal.

Peas became famous in Russia only in the 18th century. It was grown throughout Russia, both in the fields and in the gardens.

Green peas "walked" along the roads of Russia, because they were planted along the roads so that travelers could eat. In Russia, about 200 million cans are canned a year, probably because of the Olivier salad.

Benefits of peas

peas baby food

Compared to vegetables like carrots, peas have higher protein levels. In addition, Pea is a good source of dietary fiber, vitamin A, iron, folate, thiamine, vitamin C and manganese. It also has a high level of vitamin K. One of the health benefits of green peas is blood sugar control.

Peas also contain a unique range of health-promoting phytonutrients. One of these phytonutrients, a polyphenol called coumestrol, has recently come to the fore in research to protect against stomach cancer. A study in Mexico City found that daily consumption of green peas, along with other legumes, reduced the risk of stomach cancer, especially when the daily intake of coumestrol from these legumes was approximately 2 milligrams or more. Since one cup of green peas contains at least 10 milligrams of coumestrol, it will not be difficult for us to get these wonderful health benefits.

Don't forget the unique phytonutrients in green peas that provide us with key antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Some researchers are now suggesting that the link between consumption of green peas and legumes and a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes may be due not only to the relatively low glycemic index of green peas (around 45-50), fiber or protein in the composition, but also to unusual combination of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory phytonutrients.

minerals and vitamins peas

peas for children

Green peas stand out as an organic food. Agricultural research has shown that planting peas can provide important benefits to the soil. First, peas belong to a category of crops called "nitrogen-fixing" crops. With the help of bacteria in the soil, peas and other crops can extract nitrogen gas from the air and convert it into more complex and usable forms. This process increases the nitrogen content of the soil without the need to add fertilizer. Peas also have a relatively shallow root system that can help prevent soil erosion, and once the peas are harvested, plant debris tends to break down relatively easily to enrich the soil. Finally, crop rotation of peas with other crops has been shown to reduce the risk of pest problems.

Complementary Peas

Although Green Peas are extremely low fat foods (approximately one third of a gram of fat per cup), the type of fat and fat soluble nutrients they contain is impressive. Recent studies have shown that green peas are a reliable source of omega-3 fats in the form of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA).

One cup of green peas contains about 30 mg of ALA. About 130 mg of the essential omega-6 fatty acid, linoleic acid, can also be found in a cup of green peas. This very low but high-quality fat content helps us get important fat-soluble nutrients from this legume, including significant amounts of beta-carotene and small but valuable amounts of vitamin E.

So let's not neglect green peas in summer and dry peas in winter. In the diet of children, this is a very useful product.

peas for children

Green peas cannot be the product of the first complementary foods, because they cause discomfort and gas. Russian pediatricians advise introducing green peas to children after 10-12 months, and American pediatricians - after 8 months.

Beans should not be given more than 2 times a week.

Dishes from mature peas can only be given after 2 years of age in soups. Canned peas can be given after 3 years. A portion of the first complementary foods is not more than 30-50 grams, if the child has digestive problems, then let the portion be smaller so that the body gets used to it faster.

Children under 2-3 years old can eat green peas up to 80 grams. Mature grains are given in an amount of not more than 100 grams after 3 years.

Fresh peas can be offered from 2-2. 5 years old, only young sweet varieties.

Green peas are considered a hypoallergenic product, so they can be safely given to a child.

green peas complementary foods

pea puree

There is an opinion of doctors that it is better to give green peas up to 12 months, so that the body learns to digest it, because it will be more difficult to do it later.

The first feeding with green peas comes in the form of puree, which is boiled until cooked and rubbed through a sieve, so it is better absorbed.

Ruth Yaron's Super Nutrition for Your Baby states that whole green peas are dangerous for children under three years of age and should be given mashed, ie. crush with a regular fork. I usually just crush them with my fingers before giving them to a child. But we eat it instead of popcorn, so this way, I peel off the green shell, squeeze it with my fingers and give it, this is enough for a two-year-old child so that he does not choke.

Pea soup with smoked meats is best introduced to a child at the age of 5.

peas complementary foods

Allergy to green peas and peas

pea soup

Peas come in several varieties, but green and yellow peas are the most commonly consumed. Pea allergy exists but is not very common. In most cases, pea allergies in children are due to cross-reactivity between peas and other legumes. It is also important to cancel that green peas are considered hypoallergenic , but mature peas are already included in the middle group of allergenic products .

Children may be allergic to peas, especially if they have had an allergic reaction to other legumes. Legumes is a family of products that includes peas, chickpeas, peanuts, beans and lentils, etc.

There is a high degree of cross-reactivity between lentils, chickpeas and peas. In addition, pea allergy can also occur due to IgE-mediated (antibody-mediated) cross-reactivity between peas and peanuts.

pea soup

Children's body can react to allergens in peas such as isoflavone reductase, globulin, glutelin, vikilin, vivilin. And most importantly, these allergens are resistant to heat and chemical treatment.

Cases of reactions to inhalation of vapors from cooking peas have been observed. Cases of allergies to boiled peas have also been reported, but no allergies to green peas have been found in these patients.

There is a chance for a child to develop an allergy to peas over a period of time, especially if the portion is too large. But before giving peas to a child, it is recommended to consult a doctor and always adhere to the 4-7 day waiting rule when peas are introduced into complementary foods or any other food in the diet. It is better to give less than more.

Symptoms of pea allergy vary among children. Some symptoms may be mild, while others may be severe. Mild symptoms include rashes, hives, itching in the mouth, throat, lips or entire face, stomach cramps, vomiting and coughing, etc.

Severe symptoms include shortness of breath, shortness of breath and rapid heartbeat, anaphylactic shock which can cause choking and severe breathing difficulties.

It is best to seek medical attention regardless of mild or severe allergy symptoms. Timely action will help to avoid complications, as well as help in diagnosis and treatment.

How to give green peas to children?

For the first feeding, green peas should be boiled in clean water. Beat with a blender and give in the form of pea puree. Babies love bright green puree because of its sweet taste and smooth texture. Depending on how much your child eats, you can store the puree in small bags, ice cube trays, or in a zip-lock freezer bag. Up to 2 years, it is better to give the child only in the form of baby puree. Either neat or mixed with other vegetables.

Why love pea puree?

green peas for children
  • Versatility: Ideal as a first bean puree for children and as an addition to a range of dishes. It is worth trying to serve peas with fish, seafood, chicken or use as a sauce.
  • A sensory explosion: pea puree hits all the senses, from delicious taste, fresh aroma to bright green color.
  • Quick and easy to prepare : Prepare a gentle puree in less than ten minutes.
  • Available all year round : Using frozen peas means the family can enjoy this puree no matter the season.
  • Freezing : frozen peas are ideal, both pureed and peas.

How to select and store peas

Only about 5% of grown peas are sold fresh. The rest are either frozen, or canned, or dry.

green peas for children

When purchasing fresh green peas , we are looking for strong pods, velvety and smooth. Their color should be a lively medium green. Those whose green color is particularly light or dark, or yellow, whitish or mottled grey, should be avoided. Also, don't choose pods that are swollen, soaked in water, or have mold residue. The pods should contain peas of sufficient quantity and size so that they do not have a lot of empty space. It is enough to shake the pod to understand whether it is empty or full. All varieties of fresh peas should be stored in the refrigerator, as the heat will speed up the formation of sugar in the starch.

Unwashed peas stored in the refrigerator in a bag or unsealed container will keep for several days. Peas are not stored in a pod for a long time, so if you bought a lot, then it is better to peel them and store green peas separately in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 6-12 months.

green peas complementary foods

Unlike round pea pods, sweet pea pods are flat. Choose the smaller size as they tend to be sweeter.

To check the quality of peas, it is enough to open one of them and make sure that it is fresh. They should be bright green in color, firm and plump.

Dry peas must be stored in a dry, dark place, preferably in glass. If peas are bought by weight, then we look at the peas themselves so that they are the same color, dry, without mold and dampness, without pests. You can store about 12-24 months, depending on the variety of peas.

Pesticides and peas

Peas in Russia are classified as products with a low pesticide index, apparently because they are relatively easy to grow in any of our territories, they are not whimsical, there is water and sun, they will be happy.

But in 2019, Rospotrebnadzor identified a pesticide, the herbicide 2,4-D acid, in the Mistral brand of peas. Hope they fixed it.

Of course, it is better for children to buy an organic product that is grown without pesticides and nitrates.

complementary food peas

Contraindications

Peas are a difficult product to digest, which complicates the child's gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, if children suffer from colitis or enteritis, then you should refrain from the early introduction of peas into complementary foods and consult a doctor. Also, peas can increase gas formation, which will lead to abdominal pain. With frequent diarrhea or constipation, it is also not advisable to give peas in large portions. Green peas are not recommended for kidney disease. Boiled peas also contribute to an increase in uric acid in the body and the accumulation of salts. You can not this product with diseases such as cholecystitis, nephritis, kidney stones, increased blood clotting, gout and any intestinal diseases.

Suggested way of consumption

Pea and rice broth

Steaming or roasting green peas is an easy and healthy way to prepare this vegetable. Throwing peas in ice water after cooking makes for an even smoother puree for your baby! Peas are sweet and delicious, and can be added to children's meals for a nutritional boost.

Up to 1 year, green peas can only be boiled or baked in the oven, and then made into baby puree. After a year, you can cook soups or add 1/3 of green peas to mashed potatoes, you get an interesting color and taste.

The most common cooking method is traditional when used in combination with vegetables or potatoes. Boiled peas are also often used in salads or with rice. A well-known option is cooking green peas with meat stew method . Another alternative would be Pea Soup or Delicious Vegetable Puree. In Russia, you can also find pies with peas, pate, pancakes, cutlets, cereals, etc.

My favorite recipe for baby puree is to mix peas and other vegetables in a 1:3 ratio, about 1/3 of a pea. And add the fried onions before beating until smooth. It turns out tasty and satisfying.

Freezing peas

Peas are ideal for freezing. It does not lose taste, texture and smell. What more could you ask for? It can be frozen as green peas or boiled as a soup dressing. I already wrote about pea soup with bacon, how I freeze it in the form of a soup base.

Children's green peas are easy to freeze. In season, green sweet peas are bought, which get rid of the pod, and the peas are washed, dried, and then frozen in special bags. About 600 grams of green peas are enough for me for the winter. I cook soups with it, I make Olivier. Honestly, I stopped buying canned peas. Boiled and put in a salad, more benefits. You can store frozen peas for about 6-12 months. Moreover, it behaves perfectly, ice rarely forms on it, especially if it is frozen correctly.

Someone likes to blanch peas for 1-2 minutes, the shelf life is longer, but I don’t have it for more than 6-8 months.

In general, I recommend frozen over canned peas and acknowledge the benefits of fresh over frozen. Therefore, it is possible to buy fresh green peas, then we buy it, there is no way, we take frozen.

Why is it better to freeze it yourself in summer? But because the stores already sell old green peas. It is not as tender, it is suitable for soups, but not for baby food or salad. Therefore, in the summer I myself choose green peas, I am engaged in separation and freezing.

How to prepare green peas for children?

canned peas

Remove green peas from the pod, rinse under running water.

Steam: Put the peas in the slow cooker or steamer and cook for about 5-10 minutes, depending on the variety of peas.

Boil: Put the peas in boiling water, cook over high heat until tender, about 15-20 minutes. Depends on the youth of the peas, the younger, the less time is needed for cooking. Ready peas are tender, it is important that the shell should not burst.

Bake: Peas are baked in the oven for about 30-40 minutes, you can add a little butter for a nice taste.

After cooking the green peas, keep them under cold running water for about 3 minutes to make the puree more tender.

Preparing the puree: Put the cooked boiled peas in a blender and blend until smooth. You can add liquids or breast milk. For children 10-12 months old, you can additionally pass pea puree through a plastic sieve.

How to prepare ripe peas for children?

cook peas

Mature peas must be soaked before cooking. Ideal for the night, but can be for a couple of hours. Soaking reduces the cooking time by 20-40 minutes. Then you can simply boil in water, the cooking time is up to 2 hours, depending on the degree of splitting of peas.

But I cook all legumes differently. On my site I have already written about this method, but I will repeat.

I throw soaked peas into boiling water. I put in 2 times more water. For about 1 cup of peas, 2 cups of water. And then I cook it for 5 minutes. I usually do this in the morning or at night. To forget about peas for a few hours. After 5 minutes of simmering or boiling, I wrap the pot in something warm and forget about it. Usually about 4 hours of slow cooling is enough for the peas to reach readiness. Very convenient way, economical in terms of electricity.

Finger food and green peas

Green pea puree

Only green peas are suitable for finger food (simply because they are tastier and brighter). It is most often chosen by mothers for tweezing. It is ideal to take peas with your fingers and send them to your mouth. Up to 2-2.5 years, it is better to take boiled green peas of sweet varieties, after which you can take fresh ones.

In principle, many doctors are sure that after 12 months it is already difficult to choke on a small pea, but they still advise crushing them with a fork in order to avoid various situations with suffocation. We also crush fresh peas for the first time.

It is also important to know that if a child swallows a whole pea, then its size allows you to go out naturally in a few days.

Ready-made baby food from peas

Soup from peas

Mostly green peas are found in ready-made baby food, but peas can also be found in multicomponent purees. In its pure form, puree was discontinued. On the websites of baby food manufacturers, green peas are not presented in the line of one-component purees. Previously, he was at Grandma's Lukoshka, Hipp, Gerber.

gerber

  • puree green pea peas, from 6 months, 125 grams
  • puree vegetables with pieces of beef with 12 months of 190 grams

    • pies first, first157 -soup with chicken, from 7 months 190 gram
  • Assorted vegetable puree from 7 months 125 gram
  • Puree vegetables-noodles-chicken from 1 year 220 gram (peas)

Sempler

  • Sempler
    • from 12 months 190 gram
    • Puree vegetables with beef meatballs, from 9 months 190 gram
    • Sauteed vegetables with sea bass from 12 months 190 gram
    • Puree potato-vegetable-chicken ragout from 12 months 190 gram

    Heinz 6

    Heinz 6 navy pasta with pieces from 10 months 190 grams (peas)

Foods that go well with peas:

green pea soup
  • carrots,
  • cauliflower,
  • potatoes,
    On our site Encyclopedia Baby Food there is useful information on the nutrition of your children, which is useful for everyone, and we update the site "Encyclopedia Baby Food" constantly and try to search and write only excellent, verified and necessary information for you and your children.

    Disclaimer No. 1: It must be understood that the author of the articles on the Baby Food Encyclopedia website is not a medical staff, “I am not a doctor.” The information I share is based on my own experience. My goal is not to teach you how to eat or feed your child, but to talk about how we did it, what new things I learned or read. This expands the picture of Baby Food knowledge, gives you a glimpse of the whole process so you can decide if you like it or not.

    Disclaimer No. 2 : However, the above does not cancel a visit to the pediatrician. Before you start complementary foods, you need to get his professional opinion on the best way to introduce new foods for your baby. I also draw your attention to the fact that you need to look at the original date of the published articles, because some of the "best practices" may have changed. Always check with your child's pediatrician about complementary foods and their health.

    Disclaimer #3: Keep in mind that every family is unique, every situation is also completely unique. There are no universal solutions. Only you can find what works best for you. Certain goals require certain sacrifices and priorities - not everyone wants to make those choices, and that's GREAT! Just know what you want to achieve, and be ready to get to work, putting the best of your strength!

    Disclaimer No. 4: On the Encyclopedia Baby Food website, photos from books on baby food with attribution are used to better understand the information (Article 1274, paragraph 1, part four of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation). Literature on baby food is found in the public domain on the Internet.

    Apricot puree with chicken
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    Rapid dessert
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    2 Breakfast outside Kohlrabi appetizer
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    Spinach and Cheese Omelet
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    and cherries
    Banana, cottage cheese and porridge puree 4 cereals
    Broccoli (cauliflower) puree
    Broccoli, courgette and cauliflower puree
    Blueberry puree
    Pear puree
    Pear and banana puree
    Pear and banana puree, baked
    Pear and pumpkin puree 7 months +
    Pear, pumpkin and peach puree
    Pear, apple, plum and prunes puree
    Blackberry puree
    Turkey puree
    Zucchini puree 90 zucchini and broccoli
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    Quinoa and carrot puree
    Quinoa, banana and carrot puree
    Quinoa, squash and carrot puree
    Quinoa, peach and raspberry puree
    quinoa, cauliflower, apple, peas and mint
    Quinoa, apple, pear and raisin puree
    Quinoa, apple, carrot puree
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    Chicken, carrot, potato, apple and pea puree
    Raspberry, cherry and banana puree
    carrots
    Carrot and apple puree
    Carrot, potato, broccoli puree with cheese
    Carrot, potato, apple and quinoa puree
    Carrot, pumpkin, apple and prunes puree
    Carrot, apple and potato puree
    Turnip and carrots
    Plum puree
    Cottage cheese, strawberry and banana puree
    Pumpkin puree
    Pumpkin and banana puree
    Pumpkin and squash puree
    Pumpkin and apple puree
    Pumpkin, apple and banana puree
    Cauliflower and broccoli puree
    Cauliflower puree and potatoes
    Cauliflower and rice puree
    Cauliflower and apple puree
    Cauliflower, green peas and squash puree
    Cauliflower, turkey and potato puree
    Cauliflower, potato and squash puree
    Cauliflower, carrot and broccoli puree
    Cauliflower, carrot, cheese and rice puree
    Cauliflower, apple and courgette puree
    Zucchini puree
    Zucchini and potato puree
    Zucchini, carrot and apple puree 90 cherries
    Blueberry puree
    Prune puree
    Apple, pumpkin, carrot and some curry puree
    Apple and pear puree
    Apple and strawberry puree
    Apple, strawberry and sweet cherry puree
    Apple, peach and banana puree
    Carrot and pumpkin puree
    Cottage cheese and banana puree
    Turkey, potato and carrot stew
    Zucchini, carrot and broccoli stew
    Fish, potato, carrot and broccoli stew
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    Whole grain rice porridge
    carrot
    Rice porridge with pumpkin
    Rice porridge with apples
    Rice porridge with apple and pear
    Rice porridge with apple and pumpkin
    Fish cakes with vegetables
    Semi-cooked fish
    Fish meatballs with ketchup
    Baby Fish Soup
    Salmon and Celery Fish Soup
    Carrot and Kohlrabi Salad
    Chickpea Salad
    Chickpea and Cabbage Salad
    Laziest Soup
    Creamy Kohlrabi Soup
    Oatmeal Smoothie4 Sauce Cheesy Pizza
    Pea and Bacon Soup
    Baked Vegetable Soup
    Kohlrabi Soup
    Salmon Soup
    Cauliflower Soup
    Turnip Potato Soup
    Meatball Soup for the Picky Eater
    Green apple kohlrabi soup
    Rabbit, pumpkin, potato, broccoli and cauliflower soup
    Beetroot soup
    Pumpkin mushroom soup
    Broccoli and celery soup
    Soup/stew Pork with Potatoes and Carrots
    Cheburek Chebureks
    Pumpkin Cheese Sauce (Annabelle Carmel Recipe)
    Buzz Lightyear Sandwich
    Pumpkin Apple Puree
    Pumpkin Apple Juice
    Pumpkin Cake
    Pumpkin Soup 9 Puree
    Fruit Salad

    5 Bread lavash


    Cauliflower with cheese
    Linden tea and thyme
    Experimental noodle soup with lentils
    Apple puree
    Apple juice

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    On our site Encyclopedia Baby Food there is useful information on the nutrition of your children, which is useful for everyone, and we update the site "Encyclopedia Baby Food" constantly and try to search and write only excellent, verified and necessary information for you and your children.

    Disclaimer No. 1: It must be understood that the author of the articles on the Baby Food Encyclopedia website is not a medical staff, “I am not a doctor.” The information I share is based on my own experience. My goal is not to teach you how to eat or feed your child, but to talk about how we did it, what new things I learned or read. This expands the picture of Baby Food knowledge, gives you a glimpse of the whole process so you can decide if you like it or not.

    Disclaimer No. 2 : However, the above does not cancel a visit to the pediatrician. Before you start complementary foods, you need to get his professional opinion on the best way to introduce new foods for your baby. I also draw your attention to the fact that you need to look at the original date of the published articles, because some of the "best practices" may have changed. Always check with your child's pediatrician about complementary foods and their health.

    Disclaimer #3: Keep in mind that every family is unique, every situation is also completely unique. There are no universal solutions. Only you can find what works best for you. Certain goals require certain sacrifices and priorities - not everyone wants to make that choice, and that's GREAT! Just know what you want to achieve, and be ready to get to work, putting the best of your strength!

    Disclaimer No. 4: On the Encyclopedia Baby Food website, photos from books on baby food with attribution are used to better understand the information (Article 1274, paragraph 1, part four of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation). Literature on baby food is found in the public domain on the Internet.

    Disclaimer No. 5: Content, editing, proofreading, layout, etc. produced ONLY by the author of the site Encyclopedia Baby food. Therefore, I apologize for spelling, punctuation and stylistic errors. If you notice a mistake, please report it, and do not write angry comments about the illiteracy of the author of the article.

    Apricot puree with chicken
    Banana-apple puree
    Banana puree
    Borscht
    Broth with peas and rice
    Baby mashed potatoes with cottage cheese and fruits
    Homemade yeast bread with linen flour
    Home cheese
    Home pizza
    Breakfast on the street
    Kolrabi snack
    Baked carrots
    Baked carrots and cherries with a bunch of 9042 with white beans
    Cabbage salad as in the dining room
    Mashed potatoes
    Quinoa and pumpkin porridge
    Quinoa porridge
    Breakfast cereals
    Quinoa and apple
    Strawberry puree
    Strawberry puree with banana
    Strawberry compote
    Compote of wild apples and raspberries
    Compote of dried fruits steamed in a thermos for a baby over 8 months old
    Corn porridge
    Corn porridge with pear
    Corn porridge9 with pumpkin
    Corn and carrot porridge2 Corn porridge with apple and carrots
    Chicken liver in the oven
    Chicken cutlets with carrots
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    Navy pasta
    Pasta with orange sauce
    Pasta with Gremolata
    Muffins with vegetables and egg
    New potatoes in their skins
    Vermicelli milk soup
    Carrot and potato puree
    Carrot and rice casserole
    Carrot with chicken
    Fly agaric from eggs and tomatoes children
    Vegetable puree with cauliflower and carrots
    Vegetable soup with corn semolina
    Vegetable soup with cheese and corn semolina
    Vegetable soup with spinach
    Vegetable soup with bell peppers
    0425 Oatmeal porridge
    pancakes from polions
    pancakes on hot kefir
    omelet in the package
    Omlet with broccoli and colored cabbage
    Overlet with spinach and cheese
    Persian pueres
    pier 7 months +
    cup
    Rice and zucchini pie
    Fish pie
    Fish and potato pie
    White cabbage pizza
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    Banana, cottage cheese and porridge puree 4 grains
    Broccoli (cauliflower) puree
    Broccoli, squash and cauliflower puree
    Blueberry puree
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    Pear and banana puree
    Pear and banana puree, baked
    Pear and pumpkin puree 7 months +
    Pear, pumpkin and peach puree
    Pear, apple, plum and prunes puree
    Blackberry puree
    Turkey puree
    Zucchini puree
    Zucchini and broccoli puree
    Zucchini, carrot and potato puree
    Quinoa and banana puree
    Quinoa and carrot puree
    Quinoa, banana and carrot puree245 , zucchini and carrots
    Quinoa, peach and raspberry puree
    Quinoa, cauliflower, apple, pea and mint puree
    Quinoa, apple, pear and raisin puree
    Quinoa, apple, carrot puree
    Rabbit, broccoli and mint puree cauliflower
    Chicken, carrot, potato, apple and pea puree
    Raspberry, cherry and banana puree
    Carrot puree
    Carrot and apple puree
    Carrot, potato, broccoli puree with cheese
    Carrot, potato, apple and quinoa puree
    Carrot, pumpkin, apple and prunes puree
    Carrot, apple and potato puree
    Turnip and carrot puree
    Plum puree
    Cottage cheese, strawberry and banana puree
    Pumpkin puree
    Pumpkin and banana puree
    and zucchini
    Pumpkin and apple puree
    Pumpkin, apple and banana puree
    Cauliflower and broccoli puree
    Cauliflower and potato puree
    Cauliflower and rice puree
    Cauliflower and apple puree
    Cauliflower and green pea puree and squash
    Cauliflower, turkey and potato puree
    Cauliflower, potato and squash puree
    Cauliflower, carrot and broccoli puree
    Cauliflower, carrot, cheese and rice puree
    Cauliflower, apple and squash puree
    Zucchini puree
    Zucchini and potato puree
    Zucchini, carrot and apple puree
    Cherry puree
    Blueberry puree
    Prune puree
    Apple, pumpkin, carrot and some curry puree
    toy apple puree apple and strawberry puree
    Apple, strawberry and cherry puree
    Apple, peach and banana puree
    Carrot and pumpkin puree
    Cottage cheese and banana puree
    Turkey, potato and carrot stew
    Zucchini, carrot and broccoli stew
    Fish, potato, carrot and broccoli stew
    Rice porridge
    Whole grain rice porridge
    Rice porridge with carrots
    Rice porridge with pumpkin
    Rice porridge with apples
    Rice porridge with apple and pear
    Rice porridge with apple and pumpkin
    Rice porridge with apple and pumpkin
    cutlets with vegetables
    Ready-to-cook fish
    Fish meatballs with ketchup
    Fish soup for children
    Fish soup with salmon and celery
    Carrot and kohlrabi salad
    Chickpea salad
    Chickpea and cabbage salad
    Laziest Soup
    Creamy Kohlrabi Soup
    Oatmeal Smoothie
    Pot Sauce
    Cheesy Pizza Sauce
    Pea and Bacon Soup
    Roasted Vegetable Soup
    Kohlrabi Soup 9045 Cauliflower Soup 9045 Salmon Soup 9045 with potatoes and turnips
    Meatball soup for the picky eater
    Kohlrabi puree soup with green apple
    Rabbit, pumpkin, potato, broccoli and cauliflower soup
    Beetroot puree
    Pumpkin puree with mushrooms
    Broccoli & Celery Soup
    Pork Potato & Carrot Soup/Steady
    Cheese Chebureks
    Pumpkin Cheese Sauce (Annabelle Carmel Recipe)
    Buzz Lightyear Sandwich
    Pumpkin & Apple Puree
    Pumpkin & Apple Juice
    Pumpkin Juice 40425 puree soup
    Fruit salad
    Mango fruit salad
    Lavash bread
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    Linden and thyme tea
    Experimental vermicelli and lentil soup puree
    Apple puree
    Apple juice

    Nutrition for intestinal infections in children

    Parents of small children are particularly afraid of intestinal infections. After all, it is important for a mother that her baby is full and healthy. And the presence of an intestinal infection in the body does not even allow to feed the child properly. Any meal is accompanied by vomiting, diarrhea, and in severe forms of the disease, children cannot eat at all.

    Experienced grandmothers advise to keep the child on dry rations (ie, to eat crackers, dryers, biscuit cookies), others suggest immediately treating with herbal decoctions. Feeding children with an intestinal infection is a very important and delicate issue, so you should know not only how and what to feed a child, but also other important principles, for example, combating dehydration, drinking regimen, and so on. You can read about all this in the materials of this article.

    What is an intestinal infection

    Intestinal infections are the second most common childhood disease and are more common in young children (under 3 years of age). In the morning, the child was healthy and cheerful, as after a couple of hours the baby abruptly begins to vomit, the stool is upset and the temperature rises. All these symptoms indicate the presence of an intestinal infection in the body.

    Intestinal infection can be either viral or bacterial. From the names themselves it becomes clear what the difference between their pathogens is. In childhood, it is the rotovirus causative agent of intestinal infection that is more common.

    As a type of intestinal infection, one can name:

    • dysentery;
    • salmonellosis;
    • enterovirus.

    At the first signs of an intestinal infection in a child, parents should not despair and become depressed. Doctors say that in 90% of cases, medical care is not needed and parents can cope with the disease on their own at home, you just need to follow the rules that will prevent dehydration.

    But, in the remaining 10%, the situation is more complicated and at home you can only aggravate the situation. This requires urgent medical intervention and qualified assistance. It is worth remembering that in acute forms of intestinal infection, rapid dehydration of the body occurs and if slowed down with treatment, it can be fatal.

    An ambulance should be called if:

    1. Bloody manifestations have been noticed in the child's vomit or stool.
    2. If the child cannot get water to drink (the child cannot swallow liquid or the water comes out immediately with vomit).
    3. The first signs of dehydration begin to appear, such as: dry skin, "dry" tongue, lack of sweat, tears, urination (the child has not gone to the toilet in the last few hours).
    4. In case of upset stool or vomiting, symptoms such as a sharp increase in temperature (in severe forms more than 38.5 C), lethargy, drowsiness, complete or partial refusal to eat, vomiting or diarrhea can be observed.

    How can you get an intestinal infection?

    The very moment of infection with an intestinal infection occurs when a bacterium or virus enters the body, namely, it settles in the gastrointestinal tract.

    There are several ways to become infected with an intestinal infection:

    1. Through food - when eating poor-quality, contaminated food.
    2. By water - by bathing in contaminated water, swallowing water, or using poor-quality water at home.
    3. Contact-household - dirty hands and non-compliance with the rules of personal hygiene.

    Treatment of intestinal infection

    In the treatment of acute intestinal infection, special attention is paid to replenishing body fluids, as well as the use of a number of antibiotics. There is an opinion that antibiotics should be used in moderate and severe forms of the disease. Indeed, against the background of inhibition of the viability of microbes, antibiotics weaken the body's immunity, which leads to the development of dysbacteriosis, and hence the removal of all useful substances.

    Prescribe antibiotics strictly after passing a series of tests, identifying the causes of the disease and monitoring by medical personnel.

    Indications for prescribing therapeutic nutrition

    One of the important factors in the treatment of children who have had an intestinal infection is proper nutrition or diet therapy. With improper nutrition, prolonged diarrhea, a sharp weight loss and lactose intolerance (milk is not absorbed by the body) can be seen.

    The main function of diet therapy is the ability to adjust the diet, nutrition of the child and make timely adjustments based on the form of the disease, the state of the body and the rate of recovery. Scientists have proven that even in severe forms of the disease, the gastrointestinal tract retains the function of eating and absorbing nutrients, but if food does not enter the child’s body for a long time (water-tea diets), then the body loses its recovery function, which and leads to dramatic weight loss.

    Principles of nutrition in intestinal infections

    The main principle of the modern approach to the nutrition of children who have had acute intestinal infections is the rejection of water-tea diets and the correct selection of products that contributed to an increase in the level of body resistance.

    The type of food, the amount of servings and the amount of food consumed per day will be determined by a number of factors:

    • the age of the child;
    • form of the disease;
    • the presence of other diseases;
    • feeding form.

    There are several principles that should be applied to all forms of the disease. There must be a break at night, there should not be overfeeding and force-feeding. We should not forget that in feeding you must always adhere to the regimen. In older children, the urge to vomit is associated with overeating. It is necessary to adhere to the generally accepted principle: it is better to eat more often, but in smaller portions.

    If the child has a mild form of intestinal infection, without severe intoxication of the body, doctors advise in the first days to reduce the amount of food consumed, the lack of food can be filled with liquid. It can be unsweetened teas, compotes, decoctions of chamomile, purified non-carbonated water. P

    I'm looking for a better use in pureed form (soup-puree, porridge and scrambled eggs), so it will be easier for the body to perceive it. All cooked food should be boiled or steamed. And already for 5-6 days it will be possible to return to normal life. In mild forms of diarrhea, it is recommended to reduce the amount of food by 15-20% and increase the number of meals by 1-2. By the fourth day after the onset of the disease state, the volume of food becomes the same and the diet is restored. With medium forms, it is necessary to divide meals into 5-6 approaches, the amount of food received per day is reduced by 30%. On the 6-7th day, there is a complete restoration of the volume of portions, and the number of meals.

    In severe forms of intestinal infections, the patient is transferred to fractional food intake, and the daily volume is reduced by half - 45-50%. On the fourth day, the volume is gradually increased and only on the 8th day the diet is resumed.

    Drinking regimen

    First of all, in case of an intestinal infection, doctors try to restore the body's water balance. The patient is recommended to drink 1 teaspoon of pure water every 5 minutes. Water allows you to remove all toxins from the body. You can also drink decoctions of chamomile, compotes, teas. It is important to take liquid in small portions. Too much fluid taken at one time can cause repeated vomiting and severe dehydration. Instead of water, it is mono to give the child a solution of rehydron, a slightly sweet compote of dried fruits, non-carbonated mineral water.

    With diarrhea and vomiting, the water-salt balance of the body is disturbed. To restore it, it is recommended to drink Regidron. This drug can be purchased at a pharmacy or prepared at home. For a liter of water, you need to take 2 tbsp. spoons of sugar, 1 tbsp. a spoonful of coarse salt (fine you need to take 0.5 tablespoons) and 0.5 teaspoons of soda. It is not worth drinking such a drink in large doses, it is necessary to alternate. A teenager will need 50 ml 1 time in 1.5-2 hours, a child no more than 1 spoon at the same intervals. If there is a shortage of food, it must be supplemented with liquid.

    Do's and don'ts for children with intestinal infection

    In case of intestinal infection, remember that all food should be steamed or boiled, in the form of mashed potatoes, rarely soup, soufflé or scrambled eggs. The less often and lighter the food used, the faster it is absorbed by the body. If, after eating one portion, the patient did not eat and wants more, this is a sure sign that he is on the mend. But do not rush, but rather take care of the body. In this case, try to maintain an interval of at least 30 minutes and then offer the child another meal.

    If an intestinal infection is transferred to the diet, you can use:

    1. Kissels from natural berries, preferably blueberries and dried fruits.
    2. Kashi on the water.
    3. Baked apples.
    4. Mashed potatoes.
    5. Vegetable puree.

    Do not eat if you have an intestinal infection:

    1. Whole milk.
    2. Milk porridge.
    3. Dairy products: fermented baked milk, cream.
    4. Rye crackers and bread.
    5. Vegetables, fruits rich in fiber: radish, cabbage, beets, cucumbers, radishes, lettuce, grapes, apricots and plums.
    6. Nuts, mushrooms and legumes.
    7. Bakery and confectionery products.
    8. Salted, smoked and pickled foodstuffs.
    9. Carbonated drinks and water.
    10. Fatty varieties of poultry and meat.
    11. Fatty fish.
    12. Rich broths and soups.

    The first few days the child's diet will be as scarce as possible, but already on the 4th day you can gradually introduce meatballs, steam cutlets, soups with low-fat broth, boiled or steamed fish, eggs, bananas and peeled apples. On the recommendation of a doctor, you can enter milk porridge in a ratio of 1: 1.

    Later you can add bakery products: dry biscuits, biscuits, rusks from dark types of bread, prepared by yourself. By the end of the third week, you can gradually drive rich pastries.

    Peculiarities of breastfeeding in case of intestinal infection

    If the child is an infant, then it is not worth giving up breastfeeding, but you can increase the number of attachments, if the baby needs it, switch to feeding on demand.

    The only food at this age is mother's milk. After all, it is believed that children with severe diarrhea tolerate lactose in human milk more easily, so there is no need to refuse it at all. In addition, lactose retains a large amount of useful substances and those that promote growth. All of them affect the speedy recovery of the intestine.

    But it should be remembered that for children who are bottle-fed, on the contrary, doctors recommend reducing the dose of the resulting mixture and increasing the number of meals (more often, but in smaller portions). But more detailed recommendations on nutrition can only be obtained from the attending pediatrician. Pediatricians recommend replacing milk porridges with water porridges for children who have already been introduced to complementary foods.

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