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Tiny Diners...

Which foods should I introduce to my baby?

There are no hard and fast rules here. All babies are different, with their own unique likes and dislikes. Just like you and me!

The information and recipes in this section are meant as a guide if your baby doesn't seem to want to try all of these foods just yet, then don't worry. Give it a week or two, then try again. His tastebuds are developing all the time - the meal he adamantly refuses today may be his absolute favourite food next week! NOTE: When introducing any new foods to your 6 to 9 month baby, remember to apply the four day rule. And ALWAYS check with your doctor before giving any new foods to your baby.

Fruits and vegetables

Once your baby is enjoying pureed fruits and vegetables, (see baby's first foods recipes), it's time to take a look at this A to Z of interesting recipes and guidelines for your 6 to 9 month baby, that incorporate a few new flavours and textures ...
Apple Avocado Banana Beets (beetroot) Bell peppers Blueberry Broccoli Butternut squash Carrot Cauliflower Eggplant/aubergine Fruits (mixed) Grapes Green Beans Kiwi Mango Melon Papaya Peach Pear Peas Pineapple Plum Potato Sweet potato Tomato Vegetables (mixed) Zucchini

Meats
Meat is a good source of protein, but at this stage most babies get protein from their milk. The main benefit of introducing meat is for the extra iron that it provides. This is because babies' stores of iron may begin to deplete between 6-9 months of age. Iron is an essential part of the blood stream, carrying oxygen to tissues to provide the energy needed for growth. Chicken or turkey is the best meat to introduce at first Avoid processed meats like ham or hot dogs - they can be salty and lack the nutritional value your baby needs.

Once your 6 to 9 month baby is enjoying chicken or turkey, then try introducing pork, beef or lamb.

Tofu
Nutritious and versatile, tofu is a perfect addition to your homemade baby food and can be introduced at around 8 months of age.

Fish
High in protein, potassium and vitamins, fish is the perfect "health food" for babies. It also contains Omega 3 fatty acids, which lower cholesterol and prevent high blood pressure. (Of course, you don't need to be worrying about that just yet. But remember, the healthy eating habits you establish now will last a lifetime!)

Yogurt
Safe from 6 months - try to stick to natural, unsweetened yogurt (here's a recipe to make your own) and add some fruit to tempt your baby. Don't sweeten yogurt with honey - it is very dangerous to give honey to babies under one year of age (see baby foods to avoid ).

Cheese
You can safely introduce cheese to your 6 to 9 month baby, but sometimes our children found strong cheeses, like Cheddar, a little too powerful in taste. Cottage cheese is a good alternative and you will come across it in many of the recipes on this site.

Eggs
It is usually safe to introduce mashed egg yolks to your 6 to 9 month baby, but you should discuss the introduction of whole eggs with your child's doctor. This is because egg whites are highly allergenic - see our egg allergy information page for more information. Mashed egg yolk actually makes a great thickener for over-runny purees. And there is some evidence that eating egg yolks contributes to the development of your baby's brain. So add a little to your baby's meals here and there for an extra, nutritional boost!

Legumes
These are foods such as beans, peas and lentils - they are high in protein, vitamins and minerals and a great addition to baby's diet. But beware! We are all familiar with the discomfort from wind, a common effect caused by foods such as these. Take care not to overfeed your baby from this food group! Should I Puree Or Mash The Food For My 6 to 9 Month Baby?
At around 7-8 months, your baby may have a tooth or two. This varies a great deal, though, from child to child - some get their teeth earlier, while others remain delightfully gummy through most of their first year.

Once teeth appear, you can try mashing food instead of pureeing it, as your baby should then be able to handle soft lumps. But some babies seem to manage quite well by mashing food with their gums alone, so it is not absolutely necessary to wait for teeth. We introduced lumpier food to our babies when they were around 7 months old - three had teeth, one didn't, but they all seemed to cope well. Introducing lumpy foods Just remember to watch your baby carefully when you change the texture of his food - as he becomes accustomed to small, soft lumps, then go from mashing to finely chopping the food. You know what's best for your baby, so take things at his pace, but do try to encourage chewing and don't stick to pureed foods for too long. Our youngest child was incredibly lazy when it came to chewing! It was very tempting to stick with pureed food, knowing she'd eat it rather than spit out every tiny lump. But we persisted, and eventually she got the hang of it. So be patient, and keep trying!
How Many Times A Day Should I Give Solid Food To My 6 To 9 Month Baby? At 6 months, this may only be once or twice a day.

Many parents find that, by 9 months, their babies have settled into a pattern of having 3 meals a day. But all babies are different and this may not suit your child... so let him guide you - you'll be able to tell when it's time to increase his intake of solid foods. How much should my baby be eating? Remember, though, that milk is a very important part of your 6 to 9 month baby's diet, and you shouldn't aim to replace it with solid food at this stage. Try giving your baby half his milk before his solid food and half afterwards. Towards the end of his first year, you may find that your baby begins to refuse the second half of his milk. And so this is the time to think about dropping a feed or two. Feeding accessories
When Should I Introduce A Cup To My 6 To 9 Month Baby? You can try introducing a "sippy" cup at about 7 months. We found it hard to find the perfect cup at this age - the spill-proof varieties seemed to require quite vigorous sucking and I think our babies were just too lazy to oblige!

We ended up using a free-flowing spouted cup. Our baby could drink more easily, but babies have a tendency to shake things up and down - hence we all had a shower every mealtime. Whichever type you choose, our advice is to STICK TO WATER as a main drink for as long as you can. If a baby has never had juice, then he won't know what he's missing and he'll be perfectly satisfied with good old water! Once he's tried juice, he'll never look at water in the same way again. And that's a shame - the benefits of plenty of water are well known to us all!

When should I give my baby water? If you really want to give your baby juice, then ONLY give it in a cup, never a bottle. Dentists agree that the sugar in the juice does more harm when the teeth are "bathed" in juice from a bottle.

Brushing Baby's Teeth

Brushing baby's teeth and paying close attention to his dental care is more important than many parents realize. Keeping your baby's teeth clean may not always be easy - when he clamps his jaws shut, it can be difficult to persuade him to open them - but getting a routine established early in life can make things easier later on! Good dental care for babies should start from birth...

...when you can gently clean your baby's mouth using a soft, damp washcloth or a piece of damp gauze to remove any milk residue from his gums. Cleaning his mouth at this early stage will help him get accustomed to the whole procedure... meaning that he may not object too much when you introduce a toothbrush later on! Once your baby's first teeth begin to appear, then you should begin cleaning them very carefully, at least twice a day. The naturally occurring bacteria in your baby's mouth change sugars from his food (including natural sugars) into acid. The enamel of your baby's teeth may then be attacked by this acid.
Brushing baby's teeth - why are baby teeth important? It is as important to care for your baby's first teeth as it is to care for his permanent teeth when he's older. Yes - his baby teeth will fall out, but in the meantime they serve some important functions... Baby teeth are responsible for "reserving" spaces for the permanent teeth to grow into. When baby teeth are lost, it can cause the permanent teeth to shift - and this can cause orthodontic problems as your child grows. Your baby needs his milk teeth in order to learn to speak correctly and clearly. Your baby's milk teeth are necessary for biting and chewing. If your child loses too many baby teeth, it can affect his confidence once he reaches pre-school. Sadly, children can be very unkind when it comes to pointing out differences in others.

Brushing baby's teeth - tips for choosing a toothbrush As soon as baby's first tooth erupts, it's time to buy a good toothbrush. The best type to use at first is a long handled brush with a small head. This design makes it easy to reach all areas of your baby's mouth.

Your baby's toothbrush should have rounded, soft filaments. You should replace it every 1012 weeks, or sooner if the filaments become splayed. Another option is to use a specially designed infant toothbrush that fits over your finger. Some babies seem to prefer this type... but beware! If your baby is a biter, a toothbrush of this type offers your vulnerable finger very little protection! As your baby grows and wants to hold the brush himself, then it's a good idea to buy him one with a chunky handle. This will be easier for him to hold - but, of course, you will still need to do the majority of the brushing yourself!
Brushing baby's teeth - toothpaste and fluoride It isn't absolutely essential to use toothpaste to clean your baby's teeth - the brushing action itself is actually the most important part of keeping them clean. If you prefer to use toothpaste, then you should choose one that is designed specifically for infants, because they contain very little - if any - fluoride. In fact, the American Association of Pediatric Dentistry guidelines suggest that babies under the age of 2 receive NO fluoride at all.

Fluoride helps strengthen the enamel of teeth. However, too much of it can cause fluorosis, which is a condition where white spots can appear on the permanent teeth. If you use an adult toothpaste to brush your baby's teeth, which contains the amount of fluoride recommended for adults, you run the risk of him developing fluorosis. This is because babies tend to swallow rather a lot of toothpaste during brushing and are thereby swallowing excess fluoride.
Tips for brushing baby's teeth If your baby won't open his mouth when it's time to brush his teeth, then try putting a brush in YOUR mouth - babies love to mimic whatever Mum is doing! Open your mouth wide and sing a musical scale (we recommend trying this one in the privacy of your bathroom ONLY!). He will either try to copy your singing - or he will laugh - but either way, he will have opened his mouth! Sit your baby in the most comfortable position for both of you - try standing or sitting behind your baby as he looks up. This is an excellent position to adopt, because it makes it very easy to reach all parts of his mouth. Be gentle - it isn't necessary to brush firmly at this stage and it may just put your baby off having his teeth brushed altogether!

Brushing baby's teeth - visiting the dentist Your baby has his first sparkling new tooth - but is it really necessary to visit the dentist this early?

According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and many other dental authorities across the world, the answer is yes - failing this, you should certainly take him for a dental check-up at some point during his first year. This gives your baby's dentist an opportunity to spot potential problems at an early stage and also to decide upon a good prevention program. Plus, it helps get your baby accustomed to

the sights and sounds of the dentist's office and can prevent him becoming anxious about dental visits in the future.
Brushing baby's teeth - tips to keep your baby's teeth healthy Avoid giving juice to your baby. Almost 90% of US infants drink juice before they are one year of age. Yet whole fruit is far better for your baby and contains the dietary fibre that fruit juice lacks. Giving your baby water is always the healthiest option when he needs extra fluids. If you do choose to give fruit juice to your baby, then ensure he drinks it from a sippy cup rather than a bottle. When a baby drinks juice from a bottle, it "pools" around his teeth, which is a common cause of tooth decay in young children. Don't put your baby to bed with a bottle of juice or with milk. The natural bacteria in your baby's mouth can react with the lactose contained in milk to form acids that may attack the enamel of your baby's teeth. Don't dip your baby's dummy/pacifier into any sweet substance. Don't add sugar to your baby's food. He isn't born with a sweet tooth - a preference for sweet foods is something that he learns! Clean your baby's teeth extra thoroughly at bedtime! His natural production of saliva decreases during the night, which means that its rinsing action is reduced. This causes harmful bacteria in the mouth to settle more easily on your baby's teeth. If you need to give your baby oral medication, you should do it before you brush his teeth, rather than afterwards. Most oral medications for infants contain sucrose (a type of sugar).

Infants develop baby teeth around the age of five to eight months. Often baby teeth, or milk teeth, as they are sometimes called, are not straight. These teeth are not permanent. Even so, adequate baby teeth care and maintenance is necessary to pave the way for permanent teeth. Teeth also affect speech, eating habits, and appearance. Here are some important facts related to crooked baby teeth that you should keep in mind:
Crookedness of teeth is natural, but may be aggravated due to prolonged sucking of the thumb, toys, or other household objects. Having crooked baby teeth does not necessarily lead to crooked adult teeth. Research shows that babies who are bottled fed are more likely to develop crooked teeth compared to breast-fed babies. Food tends to accumulate in the gaps between baby teeth and can lead to tooth decay. As far as possible, consider breast-feeding instead of bottle-feeding. Parents need to prevent their children from sucking the thumb or any object without harshness or use of force. Remember that most children tend to stop this habit as they grow up.

Prevention and Treatment

If parents find it difficult to stop the child's thumb-sucking habit, they can consider using a pacifier; this will also eventually need to be given up as the child grows up. Brush your baby's teeth regularly to prevent any tooth decay. As the child grows up, braces may be considered if the permanent teeth are also crooked.

The little known benefit of including cheese in baby's diet

Well, you may not be aware that cheese can actually play a part in the prevention of tooth decay! Your baby does not even need to swallow the cheese - merely chewing it is enough to receive its benefits!

Exactly HOW cheese protects the teeth is still a point of debate, but there are several reasons why this may be so. For one thing, chewing cheese promotes saliva production, which both neutralizes harmful acids in the mouth and washes them away. In fact, it is believed that cheese stops the bacteria on the teeth from turning into the acids that demineralize tooth enamel. Further, cheese contains plenty of calcium and phosphorus - so eating it replaces minerals lost from the tooth enamel, essentially strengthening the teeth.

The safest cheeses for baby

You'll probably remember from pregnancy that there were certain cheeses you had to avoid, because they may contain listeria (a food poisoning bacteria). In general, it's actually unpasteurized soft cheeses that pose this risk - cheese made with pasteurized milk (even soft cheeses) are now considered to be safe for pregnant women.

This being said, there has been no change to medical recommendations for feeding these types of cheeses to babies. The safest option, therefore, is to offer only the following types of cheese to your little one (although it is still important to ensure that these are made with pasteurized milk).
Cheddar Parmesan Edam Colby Colby Jack Swiss Mozzarella Monterey Jack Romano Babybel Paneer Provolone Red Leicester

Cheshire Jarlsberg Gouda Lancashire Double Gloucester Grana Padano Cottage Cheese Ricotta Mascarpone Cream cheese Cheese spread (make sure that your cheese spread is not labelled 'cheese flavour', which implies that it is NOT made from real cheese)

The following cheeses are 'softer', but are still on the safe list.

Wholesome Rice Cereal

2 oz brown rice powder 8 fl oz water a little formula/breastmilk To make the rice powder, grind brown rice in a blender or food processor. This is best achieved by grinding in small quantities - but to make the powder REALLY fine, we recommend trying a Coffee/Spice Grinder. You can use white rice if you prefer, but this page explains why brown rice is more nutritious. Bring the water to a boil. Add the rice powder, stirring constantly with a wire whisk. Simmer for about 10 minutes (don't forget to keep stirring, or the rice will stick). Then stir in enough formula or breastmilk to give the consistency that's best for your baby. Once baby has been introduced to fruit, you could always add a little of his favourite puree. Basic Homemade Baby Oatmeal Recipe 1oz (1/4 cup) rolled oats 8 fl oz (1 cup) water Pour the water into a small saucepan and bring to the boil. In the meantime, grind your oats until they resemble a fine powder. Gradually whisk them into the boiling water, then lower the heat and simmer gently for 10 mins, stirring often to prevent sticking and clumping. Cool and serve.

The seven easy steps to perfect homemade yogurt

Step 1
Assemble your 'yogurt making' equipment - which is actually far more basic than you'd expect! Yes, you can buy a yogurt maker - and yes, it may make things a little easier. But it's by no means essential - we regularly prepare our own yogurt and have NEVER used one! Here's what you'll need...

32 fl oz (equivalent to 1 quart or 1 litre) whole milk. Your baby needs fats in his diet, so using whole milk when making his yogurt is important. For other family members, you may prefer to use a reduced fat variety. 2tbsp natural, unflavoured yogurt. Take the yogurt out of the refrigerator about 15-30 mins before you start, so that it's as near as possible to room temperature when you add it to the milk. A large pot with a lid. A food thermometer (it needs to include temperatures from 110 to 180 deg F - a candy or sugar thermometer is perfect). A large spoon.

Please note that the quantities of milk and yogurt shown here are just to illustrate the proportions you'll need. You can double or even treble the quantities if you wish.

Step 2
Fill the pot with water, boil for a few minutes, then add the spoon and thermometer. This sterilizes your equipment and ensures a better end result.

Step 3
Empty the pot, then pour in the milk. Gently warm it to a temperature of 185 deg F, to kill any 'bad' bacteria it may contain (these can have an adverse effect on the finished product). Watch the pot closely and be careful not to burn the milk!

Step 4
Remove the pot from the heat and set aside. You need to cool the milk to between 110 and 115 deg F, because these are the temperatures between which the live bacteria will efficiently ferment the milk. It is possible to spped up this step by sitting the pot in a larger pot full of ice. But - unless you're willing to stir the pot every minute or two to ensure even cooling - we wouldn't recommend this and find it easier to allow the milk to cool by itself.

Step 5
Thoroughly stir the yogurt into the milk, then immediately place the lid on the pot. Move the pot at once to a warm place, where you can leave it - undisturbed - for a minimum of six hours. There are two important rules to obey at this point to guarantee a good yogurt...

Keep the pot at a constant temperature of between 110 and 115 deg F. The live bacteria will become inactive at lower or higher temperatures. Don't move the pot at all, or stir the fermenting milk. This slows down the process and you may be disappointed with your results at the end of the waiting time!

How to keep the pot at a consistent temperature... Most ovens do not have a low enough heat setting for producing yogurt, so here are a few other methods to try: Sit the pot in an oven warmed by the pilot light alone - our pilot light burns fiercely, so this works well for us! Sit the pot on an electric warming pad (like the ones you use for back pain). You may need to experiment a little with the heat settings! Wrap the pot in a very thick blanket - if this isn't warm enough, sit the wrapped pot in a cooler for extra insulation. Put the pot in the airing cupboard/boiler closet.

Step 6
After a minimum of 6 hours, take a look at your yogurt. The longer you leave the yogurt, the thicker it will become (and the more 'tangy' it will taste!). We actually find 7 hours to be the perfect length of time. Now - you may find that the yogurt doesn't look quite the way you were expecting it to! It will probably have a 'layer' of liquid on top of milk curds - and the liquid may even look a little yellow. Don't worry - this is totally normal! Just mix the curds and the liquid together (although it's OK to spoon the liquid off if you prefer!). The yogurt will be thinner in consistency than store-bought yogurts - but that's because they tend to contain additional thickeners and YOUR yogurt is 100% natural! Remember - you can make it a little thicker next time by allowing it to ferment for longer.

Step 7
Pour your homemade yogurt into suitable containers with lids, then refrigerate. Refrigeration actually stops the bacteria in the yogurt from creating any more lactic acid - that's why the yogurt doesn't ferment and thicken any further. You can store it for up to a week in the refrigerator. Voila! Your homemade yogurt is ready... wasn't that easy? Now you've seen how quickly you can produce large batches of healthy and delicious homemade yogurt, here are some ways in which you can serve it to your baby...

Combine homemade yogurt with your baby's favourite fruit purees - opt for sweeter fruits that will work well with the tartness of the yogurt. (DON"T sweeten it with honey until your baby is at least a year old, as honey may contain the spores that cause botulism). Offer yogurt to your baby as a yummy dip, with either fruit or veggie sticks.

Stir in a little vanilla essence and serve the yogurt alone, or with a nutritious wheat germ topping. Use your homemade yogurt when baking, as a replacement in recipes calling for sour cream. Combine the yogurt with fresh fruit juice, then freeze in lolly (popsicle) moulds for a refreshing treat - or to soothe the gums of teething tots!

Baby Foods To Avoid - Foods More Likely To Cause An Allergic Reaction Or Digestive Problem

Eggs (especially the whites)

Cow's milk

Peanuts or peanut butter

Shellfish - lobster, prawns, crab and shrimp

Wheat

Chocolate

Soy

Pork

Gluten - contained in wheat, oats and barley

Fish - particularly plaice, tuna, salmon, mackerel and sardines

Berries - especially strawberries (but blueberries are NOT considered highly allergenic)

Cinnamon

Citrus fruits - orange, grapefruit, lemon, lime and tangerine

Sesame seeds/sesame oil

Corn

Tomatoes

Yeast

Baby Foods To Avoid - Foods That Present A Choking Hazard Nuts

Large chunks of fruit or vegetables, raw or cooked

Large chunks of meat

Whole grapes or cherry tomatoes - always cut into quarters

Popcorn

Seeds

Raisins - wait until your baby has teeth and is chewing well

Baby Foods To Avoid - Honey

NEVER give honey to a baby under one year of age. Honey can contain botulism spores. In babies, the spores can grow and produce life-threatening toxins. Do not use honey to sweeten yogurt, or in any other form, before your baby's first birthday

How To Make Vegetable Stock

This page shows you how to make vegetable stock (or broth) for your baby. Store-bought stocks or broths are often high in salt - making them unsuitable for use in baby food (find out more about the dangers of adding salt to baby food). This simple vegetable broth recipe is still full of flavour, but is a much healthier alternative for your little one. We recommend preparing stock or broth for your baby in large quantities, then storing it for future use. Stock freezes well - and our tip is to freeze it in ice cube trays, then transfer it to freezer bags once it's solid. This means that you'll have handy little individual portions of stock to use in your baby's recipes. As well as using your homemade vegetable broth as a basis for your main recipes, try using it instead of water to cook bland foods such as rice for your baby - it gives them a little boost of flavour!
How to make vegetable stock You will need

2 large carrots 2 large onions 2 celery stalks 1 turnip 10 black peppercorns 1 bulb of garlic pinch thyme pinch parsley 1 bay leaf Peel all the vegetables and the garlic cloves and chop them roughly. Put them into a large cooking pot along with the peppercorns and the herbs and cover them with water. Bring the water to a boil over a high heat, then lower the heat until the water is simmering. Continue to simmer for an hour, then remove from the heat and allow to cool. Strain - and your veggie broth is ready to use!

Spinach nutrition facts

Spinach contains a broad range of nutrients including vitamins A, B2, C, E and K minerals including manganese, magnesium, potassium, zinc and selenium folates

Was spinach REALLY what gave Popeye his powers?

Those of us who grew up watching the spinach-guzzling sailor on TV couldn't help but believe that spinach was a wonderful, iron-rich food that would give us amazing strength and power!

The truth, however, is that the wonders of spinach portrayed in the cartoon were based on statistics published back in 1870, which mistakenly gave the iron content of spinach as being ten times higher than it really is! To boost his iron levels, Popeye would have done better eating red meat, chicken or even tuna, from which the iron is much more easily absorbed!
protein Omega 3 fatty acids iron calcium

It also has powerful anti-oxidant properties and can help protect the body against various types of cancer. What's more, consuming spinach is believed to help lower blood pressure and guard against age-related brain decline in later life. BUT... The calcium and iron in spinach are NOT well absorbed by the human body. This means that spinach is NOT a good source of these nutrients for your baby, even though the levels of iron and calcium it contains are quite high. The problem is caused by the oxalates in spinach, which bind to the iron and calcium, preventing their absorption by the body.

When can I introduce spinach to my baby?

You should - of course - speak to your doctor before introducing spinach to your baby. However, most sources will suggest waiting until your little one is at least 10 months of age to introduce spinach.

In part, this is due to the fact that spinach may be high in nitrates, which may intensify during storage and subsequent reheating. (Visitors from the UK, however, should note that the Food Standards Agency states on its website that UK grown spinach does not contain harmful levels of nitrates). The American Academy of Pediatrics states in its article Infant Methemoglobinemia: The Role of Dietary Nitrate in Food and Water that homemade spinach baby food should not be given before 3 months of age, which they acknowledge is earlier than solids need to be introduced anyway! But - if you're still concerned about nitrate levels in spinach - you can further minimize the risk by discarding any water in which you cook the leaves and preparing spinach as needed, rather than cooking it and storing it for future use. The other reason that spinach is not commonly recommended as an early weaning food is that your baby's body will have difficulty in absorbing the iron and calcium it contains (as mentioned in the Nutrition Facts above). Although you can boost your baby's absorption of

the iron by serving spinach alongside foods containing vitamin C, it is far better to look for alternative food sources to ensure that your baby receives sufficient amounts of these vital nutrients. There is also some research to suggest that the oxalates in spinach may even inhibit your baby's absorption of calcium from his milk. Spinach, therefore, should not be given to your baby on an overly frequent basis once it's introduced - and, when offering spinach to your baby for the first time - remember to follow the four day rule and watch carefully for any sign of allergic reaction or digestive discomfort.

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Choosing and storing spinach

Spinach, which is related to chard and beets, is separated into three main types Flat leaf or smooth leaf, which tends to be frozen, canned, or used in processed foods Savoy, which is dark green in colour and has curly leaves Semi-Savoy, with leaves not quite as 'crinkly' as Savoy

If you have the option, then pick semi-Savoy over Savoy, because the leaves are easier to clean!

Look for spinach bunches that have tender, fresh, vivid green leaves - if the leaves are yellowing, then they are old and subsequently less nutritious. You may wish to choose organic spinach for use in your baby food recipes, although spinach no longer appears on the Environmental Working Group's 'Dirty Dozen' - the fruits and veggies most likely to be high in pesticide residues. This means that buying organic spinach is not as essential as it once was. Keep your spinach in a plastic bag in the refrigerator crisper, where it should last for around 4 days (although it's advisable to use it as quickly as possible to make the most of its nutrients). Don't wash it before you store it, as this will make it deteriorate more quickly.

How to prepare spinach for your baby food recipes

Spinach needs to be washed VERY carefully - even if you buy it pre-packed in a bag that states its 'washed and ready to eat'.

Many of us will clearly remember the huge 2006 recall of spinach in the US connected to an outbreak of E.coli, during which several people died. Since then, safety standards have been tightened considerably and spinach samples are now tested before reaching the consumer in order to prevent such a catastrophe from occurring again. Still, thorough washing of all vegetables and fruits is always prudent! The best way to wash fresh spinach is to completely submerge the leaves in a bowl of water and use your hands to 'swish' them around, dislodging any dirt. Then you should drain the leaves and refill the bowl with fresh water, repeating the process until the water in the bowl looks clear. To cook spinach for your baby...

Trim off the roots and chop up any thick stems (so that the leaves and the stems cook evenly). You can chop the leaves now if you want to, or cook them whole and chop them afterwards. Place the leaves in a cooking pot, but don't add any cooking water - the spinach will cook adequately in the water left clinging to the leaves from the washing process. Cover the pot and cook until the leaves are wilted and still have a bright colour - this should only take a few minutes. Chop well (if you haven't already), puree in a blender and serve.

Spinach baby food ideas

Add chopped spinach to meat or vegetable lasagna Puree cooked spinach with a little olive oil and fresh garlic, then top with grated Parmesan Puree with cooked peas and pears - yummy and sweet! Stir chopped spinach into vegetable soups Mix finely chopped cooked spinach with cream cheese to make a simple spread or dip

Spinach baby food recipes - 10 months+

Baby's Creamy Spinach Puree
spinach breast milk/formula pinch of dried nutmeg Simply cook the desired amount of spinach following the directions above. Add a little milk and nutmeg to the spinach before pureeing.

Sweet Potato and Spinach Fritters

1 bag of baby spinach leaves 2 sweet potatoes 2 spring onions (scallions/green onions) 3 eggs* 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped 3 to 6 tbsp flour 2 tbsp olive oil *Some parents prefer to delay using egg white in their baby food recipes until at least 12 months of age. Wash the spinach leaves and place them in a saucepan. Steam gently until tender, then cool and chop. Peel the sweet potatoes, then grate them. Mix the grated sweet potato with the spinach. Trim the spring onions and chop finely. Add the spring onions, parsley and eggs to the veggies. Add enough flour to form a fairly thick batter. Grease a baking tray with olive oil and spoon the batter on to the tray (around 2 tbsp per fritter).

Bake at 375 deg F (180 deg C) until golden, turning after the first 10 minutes.

Sweet Potato, Spinach and Tomato Curry

The tomatoes in this recipe contain vitamin C, which will help your little one absorb a little more iron from the spinach. 1 small onion pinch each of the following: ground coriander ground cumin ground turmeric chili powder (optional - but some babies love it!) 1 garlic clove, crushed 1 tsp fresh ginger, peeled and finely grated 2 tbsp olive oil 8 oz (1 cup) sweet potato, peeled and diced 2 ripe tomatoes, quartered. 2 oz (around 1 1/2 cups) spinach leaves, chopped 4 fl oz (1/2 cup) water Saute the onion in the oil until tender, then stir in the spices, garlic and ginger. Cook gently for 5 mins, stirring often. Stir in the sweet potato dice, tomatoes and water. Bring to the boil, then lower the heat and simmer gently until the potato is tender and the tomatoes are very 'mushy' (around 15 mins). Stir in the chopped spinach, remove from the heat and allow to sit for 5 mins so that the spinach 'wilts'. Cool and serve with rice.

Fish Baby Food Recipes - Fish With Veggies

1 fillet of any cooked white fish 2 tbsp milk (you can use breast milk or formula) 1 tbsp cooked peas, mashed 1 tbsp cooked carrots, mashed 1 tbsp cooked sweet potato, mashed 1 tbsp unsalted butter (melted) or olive oil Simply place all ingredients in a blender and puree until creamy.

Fish Baby Food Recipes - Oven Baked Plaice

1 plaice fillet, skinned 2 tomatoes, skinned, seeded and chopped (if your baby is sensitive to tomatoes, you may wish to use this recipe later in your baby's first year) 1/2 tsp unsalted butter 4 fl oz (1/2 cup) milk (you can use breast milk or formula) 1 bay leaf 1 potato Preheat oven to 350 deg F, 180 deg C. Put plaice in an oven-proof dish and top with the tomato, butter and bay leaf.

Pour in 3/4 of the milk. Cover and cook in the oven for 20 mins. Meanwhile, boil the potato then mash with the remaining milk and butter. Mash the fish with a fork (don't forget to remove the bay leaf), then puree the fish with the milk from cooking. Combine with the mashed potato and serve.

Fish Baby Food Recipes - Hearty Fish Chowder

8 oz (1 cup) any white fish fillet, cut into 1 in pieces 2 tbsp carrots, peeled and grated 1 tbsp celery, diced 1 tbsp onion, chopped finely 1 tbsp flour 1 tbsp butter 16fl oz (2 cups) milk (use breast milk, formula if you prefer) 1 large baking potato, peeled and diced Melt the butter in a saucepan, over a medium heat. Add the carrot, celery and onion and saute for 3 mins. Stir in the flour, then slowly blend in half the milk, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Add the potato, then bring to a boil. Reduce the heat then simmer, uncovered, for about 30 mins, stirring occasionally. Add the fish and the remaining milk, then cook until the fish is done (about 10 mins). Mash any lumps with a fork.
Why broccoli is so good for your baby

Broccoli is a cruciferous vegetable, related to other veggies like cabbage and Brussels Sprouts. It is simply dripping with nutrients, including
vitamin C vitamin K vitamin A (from beta-carotene) B vitamins fibre calcium iron folate (folic acid) omega 3 fatty acids selenium zinc protein

Impressed? You should be, because in addition to the nutrients listed above, broccoli is also packed with phytonutrients, one of which - sulforaphane - is a powerful, natural weapon against cancer. There are many studies to indicate that a diet rich in broccoli can help protect the body against cancer AND support both heart and stomach health.

The further benefits of broccoli to your baby's body are enormous... The iron and calcium it provides - both of which are vital to healthy infant development - are made even more accesible to your baby's body thanks to the broccoli's high vitamin C content. This is because vitamin C helps the body absorb calcium and iron very effectively (which is why medical professionals advise consuming fruit with every meal). What's more, broccoli can really help boost your baby's immune system and has antiinflammatory properties, which means it may help reduce the severity of certain allergic reactions and conditions like asthma. As you can see, broccoli is a 'superfood' in more ways than one - and don't forget that its high folate content makes it a 'must eat' vegetable if you're expecting another little one. Folates have been shown to significantly reduce the risk of the unborn baby developing birth defects during pregnancy.
When can my baby eat broccoli? You may have heard that you should avoid making broccoli baby food at home because broccoli is high in naturally occuring nitrates. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics states in its article Infant Methemoglobinemia: The Role of Dietary Nitrate in Food and Water that "Infants fed commercially prepared infant foods generally are not at risk of nitrate poisoning. However, home-prepared infant foods from vegetables (eg, spinach, beets, green beans, squash, carrots) should be avoided until infants are 3 months or older, although there is no nutritional indication to add complementary foods to the diet of the healthy term infant before 4 to 6 months of age. "

Some parents still prefer to wait until their babies are around 8 months of age before offering broccoli. You should - of course - speak to your doctor before using broccoli in YOUR baby food recipes - however, we have introduced it to our children from 6 months of age onwards, once they were enjoying other fruits and veggies. Broccoli is NOT a common allergen - that being said, it's still a good idea to introduce it carefully, following the four day rule. That way, if it DOES trigger any type of allergic reaction or digestive discomfort in your baby, you'll easily be able to identify it as the cause. Please note that we would NOT recommend offering broccoli to baby before 6 months of age, nor would we recommend it as a very first food due to the possibility of it causing gas (see below).
Will broccoli give my baby gas (wind)? Broccoli - like other cruciferous vegetables - is notorious for causing gas, not just in babies but in adults, too.

Broccoli contains a sugar called raffinose. Our bodies are unable to digest raffinose and when it reaches our intestines, the bacteria that 'live' there ferment the raffinose, releasing methane gas in the process! Yet broccoli is far too healthy a vegetable to avoid for this reason - instead, we recommend taking steps to minimize this unfortunate side effect! First, remember that every baby is different - and so are the ways in which their bodies handle certain foods. Broccoli doesn't cause gas in ALL adults - by the same token, it may not cause gas in all babies.

By 6 months or older, a little gas may not actually cause discomfort. Our youngest child has been eating broccoli since he was 6 1/2 months old. And yes, we have sometimes noticed a little more noise in the diaper department - but it clearly hasn't caused any pain (in fact, he laughs when it happens!). In younger babies, trapped gas can lead to a lot of tears because - in their immobility - it is difficult for them to expel. Older babies, however, tend to be on the move a lot more and don't have as much trouble passing gas. The choice, of course, is yours to make - and if your baby is prone to colic or seems to have difficulty in digesting certain foods, then it would certainly be advisable to wait until later in his first year to give him broccoli. The first time you offer broccoli to your baby, only give him a little. Increase the amount very gradually with each meal, which will allow YOU to gauge his reaction and allow your baby's body to become accustomed to dealing with it. It's often the case that repeatedly exposing the body to a food that produces gas can actually help the body learn to digest that food effectively. The diets of some cultures are very high in 'gassy' foods like lentils and beans - yet the people who enjoy those diets are clearly not plagued by endless episodes of gas! Instead, their bodies have learned to process those foods efficiently. Some people find that broccoli stems cause more gas than the florets. If your baby is uncomfortably gassy after eating broccoli, try giving the stems a miss. Try adding a piece of raw, peeled ginger to the pot when cooking broccoli, or putting a little grated ginger or ginger powder into your baby's broccoli puree. Ginger really aids digestion and helps cut down on gas - but remember to treat it as a 'new' food and introduce it for the first time with a food your baby is already safely enjoying. Make sure you replenish your baby's gut with the helpful bacteria that aid digestion. The easiest way to do this is to include plenty of natural yogurt in his diet, which is packed with 'good' bacteria and lots of calcium, too.
How to choose and store broccoli When you're buying broccoli (which you may know by the name of calabrese), take a good look at the colour. The florets should be a rich, dark green (or purple/green, depending on the variety). If the florets look a little yellow - or worse, if you can see little yellow flowers - the broccoli is too mature.

This is bad for two reasons. The nutritional value of broccoli depletes over time, so broccoli that looks yellow will be less nutritious than young, green broccoli. Also, broccoli contains natural sugars which, as it matures, are converted into a substance called lignin. Lignin is a type of tough fibre therefore, cooked broccoli with a high lignin content will have a woody texture and an unpleasantly strong taste. Young broccoli, on the other hand, will be tender and sweet-tasting. Take a look at the stem and the leaves, too. The leaves should be bright green and the stem should feel as if it will snap when bent. Avoid broccoli with stems that feel rubbery and bendy. SHOULD I BUY ORGANIC BROCCOLI? Broccoli has been identified as one of the vegetables LEAST likely to contain pesticide residues, so it's not as important to buy the organic variety as it is with some other fruits and veggies. However, some sources suggest that the anti-cancer properties of broccoli are more abundant in organic broccoli - so, if it's within your budget - organic may be the way to go!

Keep your broccoli in an open plastic bag in the refrigerator - refrigeration is important as it helps preserve the broccoli's vitamin C content. DON'T wash it before storing it (it will rot more quickly) and, whilst it will last for several days, try to use it as quickly as possible. Remember that tough fibre - lignin - we mentioned? Well, it may also start to develop in broccoli that's stored for too long, ruining the broccoli's natural sweetness. Whilst refrigeration helps delay this process, broccoli will always taste best when eaten as soon as possible after purchase. Can I use frozen broccoli in my baby food recipes? Broccoli is a vegetable that's definitely better eaten fresh wherever possible. But if truly fresh broccoli is unavailable in your area, then you can use frozen instead. Avoid bags of 'broccoli cuts', which tend to be made up almost wholly of broccoli stems. Whilst the stems contain some nutrients, the florets contain far more.

How to cook broccoli for your baby As we mentioned at the beginning of this article, broccoli is one of those vegetables that's often overcooked. Not only does this destroy its taste and texture - it massively reduces its nutritional value.

The nutrients in broccoli are water soluble, which means they leach into the water during the cooking process. It's important, then, to be sure to cook it in such a way as to preserve as many of the nutrients as possible. NOTE: Broccoli can be eaten raw, which is the best way to make the most of its nutrients, but raw broccoli is a little too difficult for your baby to cope with right now! But do try offering it to him in the future - served with a dip, it makes a wonderfully healthy snack! To cook broccoli... 1. Wash the florets and stems thoroughly. 2. Cut off the ends of the stems. 3. Separate the florets from the stems and peel off any tough outer layer on the stems. 4. Either leave the florets whole (if small) or halve/quarter them (depending on size). *5. EITHER steam your broccoli (using a steamer basket) OR place the broccoli in a VERY little boiling water in a saucepan. Simmer for around 3 to 5 minutes until JUST tender and still bright green in colour. *The stems will take longer to cook than the florets.You can either cook the stems for a few minutes THEN add the florets, or you can cut slits in the stems to help them cook as quickly as the florets. A note about broccoli leaves: Most people remove the leaves from the stems - however, they ARE edible and are actually very nutritious. They can be a little on the bitter side, so we tend to add them to soups or to other dishes whether their stronger flavour is disguised by other ingredients. To make a broccoli puree for your baby... Just put the cooked broccoli in a blender and process until smooth, adding a little water or breast milk/formula to thin the mixture if necessary. You can freeze broccoli puree if you're cooking in bulk and use it within one month - but, if you do have the time, then broccoli is best 'cooked to order', to make the most of all those wonderful nutrients.

Broccoli baby food ideas If your baby doesn't like broccoli by itself, the good news is that it's very easy to mix with other foods and you're sure to discover a combination he'll love!

Here are some ideas...

Try pureeing broccoli with peas, sweet potato, butternut squash, carrots or cauliflower. Combine pureed broccoli with applesauce or mashed, cooked (or very ripe) pear. It may sound yucky, but that savoury/sweet combination is surprisingly good! Chop cooked broccoli florets very finely and mix them into baby's favourite pasta sauce or soup. Instead of cooking broccoli in a little water, try using a little broth instead a subtle difference in taste that just may sway your baby! Add raisins to the pot when cooking broccoli (which softens them) then puree it all together. Another weird and wonderful combination that's a big hit in our household. Stir cooked broccoli into mac 'n cheese. Make a 'gourmet' broccoli puree by blending sauted onions and garlic with the cooked broccoli, then stirring in a blob of yogurt and a pinch of nutmeg. Delicious! Serve cooked florets as a finger food, topped with grated cheese or tossed with olive oil, coconut oil or flax seed oil.* With its built-in 'handle', broccoli makes a great food for Baby Led Weaning.

*The texture of broccoli florets as a finger food may take a little getting used to. Our little one loves broccoli puree, but just doesn't like the texture of the florets - he opens his mouth and lets them fall out! Don't stop offering them, though - our older children (who also balked at the texture as babies) love them now!
Broccoli baby food recipes

Broccoli baby food recipes - Baby's Brilliant Broccoli Sauce

This simple recipe creates a highly nutritious sauce that you can serve as it is, or pour over anything your baby enjoys. We serve this over pasta or brown rice. 6 oz (around 1 cup) cooked broccoli florets 2-4 tbsp low sodium or homemade vegetable stock (the amount depends on the texture you want to achieve) 2 tsp extra virgin olive oil 1 tsp your baby's favourite chopped, fresh herbs or a little pinch of dried herbs (optional) Simply puree the ingredients together whilst the broccoli is still warm and baby's sauce is ready!

Broccoli baby food recipes - Fun and Fruity Broccoli Soup

1 apple (peeled or unpeeled), cored and sliced 1 head of broccoli, chopped 1 onion, peeled and sliced olive oil

pinch dried tarragon 2 cups low sodium or homemade vegetable stock Saute the onion and apple slices in olive oil until tender. Add the stock and bring to the boil. Add the broccoli, lower the heat and simmer for 5 mins. Puree the mixture with the tarragon and serve warm.

Broccoli baby food recipes - Cheesy Broccoli Soup

6 oz (around 1 cup) cooked, chopped broccoli 1 tbsp chopped onion olive oil 1 oz (1/8 cup) natural yogurt 1 tbsp flour 4 fl oz (1/2 cup) low sodium or homemade chicken stock 1-2 tbsp Cheddar cheese, grated Saute the onion in a little olive oil until tender. Puree the cooked broccoli with the onion. In a small saucepan, whisk together the yogurt and flour. Add the stock, stirring continuously, and bring to the boil. Lower the heat, add the cheese and broccoli/onion mixture and cook, stirring well, for a minute or two until the mixture has thickened.

Broccoli baby food recipes - Baby's Creamy Broccoli 'N Pasta

2 oz (1/2 cup) cooked pasta (use any variety of pasta your baby enjoys) 2 oz (1/4 cup) natural yogurt 2 tbsp cooked broccoli florets, finely chopped 2 tbsp grated Cheddar cheese 1 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese Mix the yogurt with the cheese in a small saucepan and warm gently, stirring, until the cheese has melted. Stir in the cooked broccoli, then pour the sauce over the cooked pasta and serve.

Broccoli baby food recipes - Cheesy Chicken 'N Broccoli

1 small chicken breast (skinless and boneless), chopped 3 tbsp hot, cooked broccoli 5 tsp milk 4 oz (1/2 cup) cottage cheese 3 oz (1/3 cup) cream cheese 1 oz (1/4 cup) finely grated mild cheddar Simmer the chopped chicken in water or broth until cooked through. In a bowl, combine the cottage cheese, cream cheese and Cheddar. Mix thoroughly. Stir the hot chicken and broccoli into the cheese mixture and serve.

Broccoli baby food recipes - Easy Peasy Squash 'N Broccoli Cakes

This is a very simple idea for a finger food that might help you encourage your baby to eat broccoli if he tends to refuse it. Simply mashed cooked butternut squash with a little ginger and as much chopped, cooked broccoli as you think you can get away with! Using your hands, form the mixture into little patties (or whatever shape you like), then saute the shapes in a little olive oil until golden, turning once. This helps the shapes develop a 'skin', making them easy to pick up! VARIATIONS: You can use sweet potato instead of butternut squash. You can also try white potato, but our little ones have always found it a little bland and prefer it 'jazzed up' with some grated cheese stirred in too!

When can I introduce eggs to my baby?

Up until recently, medical experts have tended to recommend that babies under 12 months be given egg yolks ONLY, with the whites being introduced after baby's first birthday. This is because the white of an egg is more likely than the yolk to trigger an allergic reaction, which can sometimes be severe.

However, current research suggests that there may be no benefit in delaying the introduction of egg whites and that this will not prevent their triggering an allergic reaction in a sensitive baby. Therefore, most medical professionals now recommend that babies be introduced to whole eggs - the yolks AND the whites - from 6 months of age, if there is no family history of food allergy. Nevertheless, we strongly recommend that you discuss the introduction of eggs with your child's doctor. Reactions to eggs can be very serious, so it is essential that your child's doctor - who is familiar with your family's medical history - advise you about the best time to include them in your baby's diet.

Why are eggs such a healthy food for baby?

Eggs are chock-full of high quality nutrients for your baby including... choline - a B vitamin that plays an important role in the development and function of your baby's brain and is also needed for general good health! DHA - an omega-3 fatty acid (one of the 'healthy fats'), also found in breast milk, provides further support for the development of baby's brain. protein - the protein in eggs is 'complete', making eggs particularly useful in a meat-free diet. folate - which plays an important role in the production and maintenance of new cells within the body. vitamin D - eggs are actually one of the very few food sources of this important nutrient lutein - an antioxidant that protects the eyes against damage from the sun and can help prevent cataracts and age-related eye problems in later life. Eggs provide lutein in a form that's particularly easy for the human body to absorb.

minerals - including iron, zinc and selenium (a great immunity booster).

Furthermore - and contrary to popular belief - eggs do NOT raise the body's levels of 'bad' cholesterol, nor do they contribute to heart disease.

Whilst both the yolk and the egg white are nutritious (the protein level in the white only slightly higher), the yolks actually contain the bulk of the nutrients - good news if you decide to give your baby 'yolks only' at first.

Choosing eggs for your baby food recipes

Eggs from the grocery store tend to be clearly labelled with a 'best before' or 'use by' date, so it's generally an easy task to ensure that the eggs you are buying for your baby are safe.

If you buy them directly from a farm or other source where they may not be labelled, be sure to check that they are fresh and have been stored under refrigeration.
Some eggs have brown shells and some have white...

...but there is no difference between the two in terms of quality, nutrition or taste! ORGANIC EGGS Whilst non-organic eggs are, of course, considered perfectly safe for consumption particularly since safety procedures have been tightened to avoid contamination issues - many people prefer to buy organic eggs. If available in your area, we really recommend giving them a try - aside from the better known benefits of organic foods, we feel that organic eggs have a richness of flavour that's absent from regular eggs! STORING EGGS Completely fresh eggs should be good in the fridge for up to one month - but be sure to store them in the back of the fridge (NOT the door!). Your fridge door may have one of those handy egg holders in it, but it's also the warmest spot in the fridge... not ideal for the storage of eggs at all, particularly those intended for your baby!

Preparing eggs for baby

Eggs can be cooked in lots of ways, including boiling, poaching, frying and even baking!

Whichever method you choose, it's very important to cook eggs THOROUGHLY for your baby - and that includes the yolk. This post from our blog explains why it is NOT safe to give your baby undercooked eggs, even when the eggs are organic. If you want to separate the egg whites from the yolks, then you have a few options.
1. You can hard boil the eggs (see tips below), allow them to cool, then easily remove the yolk from the white. 2. You can crack a raw egg, then tip the egg yolk back and forth between the two shell halves, allowing the white to drain into a bowl. 3. You can splash out on an Egg Separator HOW TO HARD BOIL EGGS FOR YOUR BABY

If you've always cooked hard boiled eggs by boiling them continuously for 10 minutes or so, then you might be surprised to find that it's NOT actually the best way to do it! It tends to make the egg whites rather rubbery and unpleasant - and can also cause the outside of the yolk to go a little green. Using the following method provides lighter whites (and uses less power!).
Handy tip... Putting a little vinegar into the cooking water when you boil eggs prevent the whites from running into the water if the egg shells crack! 1. Put your eggs in a pan and cover with cold water (if you drop them straight into hot water, they tend to crack). 2. Bring the water to a boil and boil for 1 minute. 3. Remove the pan from the heat and set aside, covered, for 20 minutes. 4. Peel when cool.

Hard boiled eggs should be stored in the fridge and used within 48 hours.

Eggs baby food ideas

Did you know... ...That eggs are great for mummy and daddy too?

Research has shown that eating eggs for breakfast really satisfies the appetite, preventing over-eating and snacking later in the day and contributing to weight loss!
Can you think of an ingredient more versatile than the egg?

Thanks to their neutral flavour, you can add eggs to just about anything, supplying your baby with a valuable boost of nutrients with very little effort... and without his even noticing! Here are some great ways to incorporate eggs into your baby's daily diet...
Cut hard boiled eggs into pieces and serve as a gummable finger food. Beat a raw egg yolk in a bowl, then stir it into oatmeal (porridge) at least 5 minutes before the end of the cooking time. Stir well, until cooked. Crumble cooked egg yolk into purees, soups or just about any other food that your baby enjoys! It makes a good thickener if your purees are runny. Mash cooked egg yolk with ripe avocado - this makes a highly nutritious and tasty toast topper or sandwich filling. Turn leftover veggies into something eggs-traordinary - just pop them into a small, ovenproof dish, pour in a couple of beaten eggs, top with grated cheese and cook in the oven at 375 deg F, until the eggs are completely cooked and the cheese is golden. Scramble whole eggs until well done to serve as a squishy finger food, or scramble the yolks by themselves (a little harder to pick up and best served from a spoon!

Eggs baby food recipes

Carroty Custard
3 oz (1/3 cup) cooked, pureed carrots 4 fl oz (1/2 cup) milk (use whole milk, breast milk or formula) 1 egg yolk Place the pureed carrot in a small saucepan and beat in the egg yolk and milk. Heat the mixture over a medium heat, stirring constantly. When the mixture has thickened, remove from the heat and allow to cool to a safe serving temperature.

Easy Cheesy Scramble

1 egg (yolk only if you prefer) 2 tbsp whole milk, breast milk or formula 1 tbsp grated Cheddar cheese 1 tbsp olive oil Heat the olive oil in a small frying pan. Whisk together the egg and milk, then stir in the cheese. Pour the mixture into the pan and cook for several minutes, stirring constantly, until the egg is cooked through. Add snipped fresh chives or a tbsp of very finely chopped cooked veggies to provide a little variety.

Versatile Veggie Omelet

2 eggs 2 tbsp natural yogurt 2 tbsp chopped cooked veggies: try eggplant, zucchini, mushrooms, carrot, peas or tofu dice 1 tbsp olive oil Heat the olive oil in a small frying pan. Beat together the eggs and yogurt, then stir in the cooked veggies. Pour into the pan and cook for a few minutes until the underside is golden and the eggs are cooked through. Either turn the omelet over carefully in the pan to cook the other side, or place under a preheated grill/broiler to finish the top. Cool to a safe serving temperature and cut into bite-sized pieces. A perfect dish to eat with fingers! For a flavour boost, add a small handful of grated cheese before placing the omelet under the grill/broiler.

Egg-cellent Tuna and Broccoli Surprise

2 tbsp canned tuna 1 cooked broccoli floret, chopped 1 tbsp grated Cheddar cheese 3 tbsp whole milk, breast milk or formula 1 small egg white plus one small egg

Preheat the oven to 375 deg F (180 deg C). Grease a 6 oz ramekin or mini souffle dish and place on a baking sheet. Put the cooked broccoli at the bottom of the ramekin then spoon in the tuna. Top with the cheese. Whisk together the egg white, egg and milk. Pour this mixture over the ingredients in the ramekin, then place in the oven. Cook for 20-30 mins, until the eggs are cooked through and the top is golden.

Sweet Potato Pizza with Eggy Topping

A wonderful finger food for older babies who are biting and chewing. 1 sweet potato biscuit, cut in half 1 to 2 tbsp tomato paste or chopped, cooked tomato (optional) 2 tbsp grated Mozzarella cheese 1 large egg Preheat the oven to 375 deg F (180 deg C). Place the sweet potato biscuit halves, cut side up, on a baking sheet. Spread them with the tomato paste or chopped, cooked tomato (if using). Meanwhile, beat the egg and scramble it in a small frying pan. Divide the scrambled egg between the two biscuit halves and top with the cheese. Cook in the oven for 5 to 10 mins, until the cheese has completely melted, then cool and serve.

Sweet Potato Tortilla

This dish is a variation on Spanish tortilla and has nothing to do with the 'bread' version of tortilla! This is a tasty dish served hot or cold and is an excellent finger food for self-feeding. 2 tbsp olive oil 1/2 small onion, sliced 1 cooked sweet potato, peeled and sliced thinly 3 eggs Heat the olive oil in a small frying pan and saute the onion over a very low heat until soft. Add the sliced sweet potato and stir well. Beat the eggs together, then pour them over the contents of the pan. Turn the heat as low as it will go and cover the pan. When the tortilla seems fairly well set and only a little wet on top (around 20 to 30 mins later), run a palette knife around the edge to loosen it and turn it on to a plate. Carefully slide it back into the pan and cook for a further 5 to 10 mins, until cooked through. Remove from the pan and cool.

Savoury Spinach Scramble

2 eggs, beaten 1 tsp oil 2 tbsp finely chopped onion 4 oz (1/2 cup) frozen spinach, thawed 2 tbsp natural yogurt Heat the oil in a small pan and saute the chopped onion for a few minutes, until tender. Mix the beaten egg with the natural yogurt and spinach.

Pour the egg mixture into the pan and cook for a few minutes, stirring, until the egg is cooked through.

Easy Creamy Eggy Veggies

1 egg 2 tbsp cottage cheese 1 tbsp finely chopped cooked vegetable of your choice Pre heat the oven to 375 deg F (180 deg C). Beat the egg with the cottage cheese. Stir in the chopped veggies. Grease a ramekin/mini souffle dish and pour in the egg mixture. Place the ramekin on a baking sheet and cook for around 20 mins, until the egg is set.

Oh-So-Simple Baked Egg

1 egg 1/2 clove garlic, crushed (optional) 1 tbsp cream (you can use milk if you prefer, but cream is wonderful and babies need a little fat!) 1 tbsp grated Cheddar cheese large pinch of fresh dill (chopped) or a small pinch of dried dill Pre heat the oven to 375 deg F (180 deg C). Place the crushed garlic in a greased ramekin/mini souffle dish and pour in the cream. Add the dill, then break the egg into the ramekin. Top with the grated cheese, then place on a baking sheet. Cook for 15 to 20 mins, until the egg is cooked through.

Egg and Bean Breakfast (or Lunch!)

2 tsp olive oil 1/2 clove garlic, crushed (optional) 6 oz (3/4 cup) cooked kidney beans, red or white (use salt free or low sodium canned beans rinsed well - if you prefer) 2 tbsp low sodium or homemade vegetable stock 1 egg, beaten 2 tsp grated Parmesan cheese Heat the olive oil in a small pan and saute the garlic for 1 min, until tender. Pour in the stock and add the beans. Warm through gently, stirring well. Puree the mixture either by using a hand blender or transferring to a food processor. Add a little more stock if the mixture is too dense. Set aside and keep warm. Add a little more oil (if necessary) to the pan you just used and pour in the beaten egg. Cook the egg, stirring continuously, until done. Finally, stir the scrambled egg into the bean puree and serve, topped with the grated cheese.

Carrot baby food recipes

Carrot and apple soup (6 months+)
1 large carrot, peeled (if not organic) and diced 1 white potato, peeled and diced

1 apple, peeled, cored and diced pinch nutmeg (optional) low sodium or homemade vegetable stock - or water Place the veggie and apple cubes into a saucepan and cover with stock. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until tender (around 10 mins), adding a little extra stock if necessary. Add the nutmeg, transfer to a blender and puree until smooth This is a very versatile recipe - by adjusting the amount of stock that you use, you can create a very thick, almost puree-like soup - or a runnier, 'traditional' soup!

Fruity carrot baby food combo (6 months+)

8 oz (1 cup) carrots, peeled (if not organic) and diced 2 oz (1/4 cup) dried apricots, chopped water Easy peasy - just simmer both ingredients in enough water to cover until tender, then puree or mash well. Delicious!

Easy cheesy carrot mash (6 months+)

2 potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks 2 carrots, peeled (if not organic) and cut into chunks 1 tsp unsalted butter pinch nutmeg handful of grated cheddar cheese Boil the carrot and potato chunks until tender, then drain and mash thoroughly. Stir in the butter and nutmeg. Top with the grated cheese and place under the grill/broiler until golden. Cool and serve.

Sunshine humus (8 months+)

1 medium carrot, peeled (if not organic) and sliced 1 fl oz (1/8 cup) water 1 clove garlic, crushed 8 oz (1 cup) canned chickpeas (use salt-free chickpeas, otherwise drain and rinse thoroughly) pinch paprika Steam or boil the carrot until tender. Place the carrot, water, garlic and chick peas into a food processor and blend until smooth. Sprinkle with paprika and serve with pieces of warm pita!

Sweet Potato, Spinach and Tomato Curry

The tomatoes in this recipe contain vitamin C, which will help your little one absorb a little more iron from the spinach. 1 small onion pinch each of the following: ground coriander ground cumin ground turmeric chili powder (optional - but some babies love it!)

1 garlic clove, crushed 1 tsp fresh ginger, peeled and finely grated 2 tbsp olive oil 8 oz (1 cup) sweet potato, peeled and diced 2 ripe tomatoes, quartered. 2 oz (around 1 1/2 cups) spinach leaves, chopped 4 fl oz (1/2 cup) water Saute the onion in the oil until tender, then stir in the spices, garlic and ginger. Cook gently for 5 mins, stirring often. Stir in the sweet potato dice, tomatoes and water. Bring to the boil, then lower the heat and simmer gently until the potato is tender and the tomatoes are very 'mushy' (around 15 mins). Stir in the chopped spinach, remove from the heat and allow to sit for 5 mins so that the spinach 'wilts'. Cool and serve with rice.

Cooking Brown Rice For Your Baby

We are sometimes asked if it's OK for babies to eat brown rice and if brown rice is better for babies than white.

Well, the answer to both of these questions is a big YES! Brown rice is not just the healthiest choice for your baby - it's good for the whole family and is packed with important nutrients. Please note: You should always discuss the introduction of new foods to your baby with his doctor. Remember that all new foods should be introduced separately, at least four days apart, to help you identify possible food allergies and digestive problems.
Why is brown rice better for baby than white? A grain of rice is composed of several different layers. Only the outside layer, the 'hull', is removed during the production of brown rice and very little goodness is lost by the grain in the process.

But during the production of white rice, the grains are milled to remove more layers - the bran and almost all of the germ. This process strips the grains of the majority of their nutrients.

In the final part of the process, another layer called 'aleurone' is removed and the grains are polished. But aleurone is a good source of essential fats, which play such an important role in your baby's diet. So what are you left with? White rice - a refined starch that offers your little one very little in the way of nutrition.
Why is brown rice such a healthy choice for baby? Just look at what it contains! vitamins B1, B3 and B6 manganese (essential for healthy bones, manganese also reduces the symptoms of asthma and is a powerful, energy-providing antioxidant) iron phosphorus selenium Essential Fatty Acids fibre

Other important benefits gained from eating brown rice include a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes and lower levels of cholesterol.

Yet a very large percentage of these valuable nutrients are lost during the production of white rice. By law, white rice in some countries must be 'enriched' and certain nutrients must be added back in. So it should be just as good for you as brown rice, right? Wrong - because the nutrients are not in their original form, they are far less beneficial to health. In fact, enriched white rice is STILL lacking 11 valuable nutrients that are NEVER replaced .
Brown rice is full of flavour Some people say that brown rice does not taste as good as white. But these people have often grown up ONLY eating white rice, which actually has very little flavour (unsurprising, when you consider how much is removed from the grain to produce it!). Brown rice does taste VERY different to white! Its flavour is almost nutty and - conversely - people who regularly eat brown rice find white rice very bland and unappetizing.

That's why it's a good idea to get your baby accustomed to the full flavour of nutritious brown rice from an early age - you'll probably find that he turns his nose up at starchy old white rice in the future!
Storing brown rice Uncooked rice

Carefully check the 'best by' date on any packets of brown rice that you buy for your family. Once you get it home, store it in the refrigerator. This is because, unlike white rice, the oily germ of brown rice is intact. There is the possibility that this could turn rancid if the rice is not stored at a sufficiently cool temperature.

Cooked rice You have to be very careful when storing cooked rice, as bacteria can multiply very quickly. Many sources say that you can store it for up to 4 days in the refrigerator - but we prefer to err on the side of caution and suggest that you only cook rice for your baby on the day that you plan to serve it to him... and throw any leftovers away! Alternatively, you can make up a batch of brown rice and freeze it. Because the bacteria in rice multiply so rapidly, it is important to cool cooked rice very quickly if you plan to freeze it. The best way to do this is to spread it out in a shallow container - but never leave rice sitting for more than one hour at room temperature. Once the rice has cooled, freeze it in individual freezer bags, so you have handy portions available for your baby's next meal. You can store frozen rice for up to 6 months.
Is brown rice safe for babies? Brown rice is rarely responsible for allergic reactions.

But studies have revealed that traces of arsenic may be present in non-organic brown rice. Although these traces are too small to cause serious short term illness, in the long term they can have negative effects on the body. You should, therefore, only offer organically grown brown rice to your baby.
Cooking brown rice for your baby The easiest way to prepare brown rice for very young babies is to first rinse it, then grind it in a food processor that's built for the job! The Cuisinart Mini-Prep Processor (US only) is ideal and is great for making purees, too!

Here's a simple recipe for baby cereal that you can try. If your baby is older, try using short grain brown rice in dishes that you cook for him. Because it's fairly soft, it sticks together in 'clumps' and is perfect for creamy dishes like rice pudding. Brown rice takes longer to cook than white rice... Around twice as long, in fact. But you can get around this by measuring out the amount of water you will need to cook it, then soaking it overnight - it really speeds up the cooking time! Remember... don't drain the water you soaked it in, use it to cook the rice instead. This means you don't lose any of its precious nutrients.
Ideas for your baby using brown rice Brown rice can easily be substituted for white in any recipe calling for rice - but do bear in mind that it will take longer to cook unless you have pre-soaked it. Here are some other suggestions... Combine cooked brown rice with warm breast milk or formula, then add a little touch of cinnamon or nutmeg. Mix cooked brown rice (either ground or regular) with a dollop of unflavoured natural yogurt and a fruit puree of your baby's choice! Combine cooked brown rice with steamed vegetables - you can either puree them before mixing, or just chop them if your little one is happy to chew!

Cook brown rice for your baby in homemade chicken, beef or vegetable stock/broth for a rich, interesting flavour. Cook a little batch of short grain brown rice, clump it together with your fingers and serve it to your baby as a very healthy finger food.

Brown rice baby food recipes

Peach and brown rice breakfast (6 months+)

2 oz (1/4 cup) brown rice 1/2 ripe peach 8 fl oz (1 cup) water a little breast milk or formula Using a food processor, grind the brown rice into a powder. Then, peel the peach, remove the pit and cut the flesh into little cubes. Bring the water to the boil in a small saucepan. Stir in the rice powder, lower the heat and continue to stir. Add the peach cubes, then - stirring often - simmer gently for 10 mins. If the texture is too thick for your baby at the end of the cooking time, thin it with a little breast milk or formula. Breakfast is ready!

Baby's brown rice pudding (6 months+)

2 oz (1/4 cup) cooked brown rice 2 dried apricots 2 tbsp apple juice 1/2 small, ripe banana tiny pinch nutmeg Before you start, soak the apricots in water for around an hour to soften them. Then, put all the ingredients into a food blender and process until nice and smooth. To adjust the texture of this brown rice pudding for your baby, just add a little more - or a little less - apple juice.
The following recipes give a 'lumpier' texture, so you may prefer to mash or puree these dishes for your baby. If the texture is a little too thick after pureeing, then add a little stock, water or juice to achieve the desired texture!

Apple and pear brown rice (6 months+)

2 oz (1/4 cup) brown rice 4 fl oz (1/2 cup) apple juice 1 oz (1/8 cup) raisins

1/2 small apple, peeled, cored and chopped 1/2 small pear, peeled, cored and chopped Put all the ingredients into a small saucepan and bring to the boil. Stir well, then reduce the heat and cover with a tight fitting lid. Simmer the mixture for around 30 mins - by the end of the cooking time, the rice should have absorbed all the apple juice and should be nice and tender.

Savoury baked brown rice (6 months+)

Baking brown rice gives it a fluffier texture than boiling it - and it's very simple to do... 8 oz (1 cup) brown rice 12 fl oz (1 1/2 cups) water or homemade stock/broth 1 stick of celery (optional) Preheat the oven to 350 deg F/180 deg C. Pour the rice into a frying pan/skillet and, stirring constantly, warm over a medium heat until the grains turn golden brown. This step is entirely optional - but it makes the final result much more tasty! In the meantime, chop the celery and saute until it's tender - this is another optional step but it really does flavour the rice and is a particularly important ingredient if you're only using water to cook the rice. Combine the sauted celery, rice and water/stock in an oven-proof dish, cover and put in the oven. Bake until the rice has absorbed all the water (35-45 mins). Cool to a safe serving temperature and serve to your baby as a delicious side dish.

Yummy one-pot brown rice dinner (7 months+)

One pot cooking is ideal for busy Mums! Little preparation beforehand - and little to clean up afterwards! This easy dinner is nutritious and tasty - why not increase the quantities and serve it to the whole family? 4 oz (1/2 cup) brown rice 2 oz (1/4 cup) cooked chicken, cut into strips 8 fl oz (1 cup) homemade chicken stock or water 1 oz (1/8 cup) carrots, peeled and diced 1 oz (1/8 cup) broccoli florets 1oz (1/8 cup) courgette/zucchini, diced 2 oz (1/2 cup) grated Cheddar cheese 1/2 tsp fresh parsley, chopped little pinch of freshly ground black pepper (optional) Pour the water/stock into a saucepan and bring to the boil, then add the rice, stir and bring back to the boil. Cover the saucepan with a tight fitting lid, then reduce the heat to very low. Cook for 30 mins. Briefly remove the lid and add the remaining ingredients (except for the cheese). Put the lid back on and cook for 10 more mins, then remove from the heat. Sprinkle with the grated cheese and set aside until cool enough for your baby. You can chop this dish or mash it for your baby if the texture is a little too lumpy!

Mango Cream

6 fl oz (3/4 cup) natural yogurt (here's how to make your own) 1 mango, peeled and pitted drop of vanilla extract 1 tbsp wheat germ Divide the mango flesh into two portions. Chop one portion very finely. Put the second portion into your food processor and blend until smooth. Stir the finely chopped mango AND the pureed mango into the yogurt, along with the vanilla extract. Serve, topped with a sprinkle of healthy wheat germ.

Mango and Sweet Potato Surprise

1 medium, cooked sweet potato 1 mango, peeled and pitted pinch cinnamon 1 tbsp coconut milk (optional) Mash the cooked sweet potato. Either puree or finely chop the mango and stir into the sweet potato, alomg with a good pinch of cinnamon. At this point, we like to add coconut milk (read more about using coconut in your baby food recipes) - it gives a wonderful flavour! But it's not essential if you don't have any to hand. Serve warm or cold.

Mango and Tofu Dream

Read more here about introducing tofu to your baby 4 oz (1/2 cup) silken tofu 1 mango, peeled and pitted drop vanilla extract pinch ground ginger 4 fl oz (1/2 cup) natural yogurt Simply blend all ingredients in a food processor until smooth. Serve chilled.

Mango Chicken Recipe (for babies enjoying texture)

1 cooked, boneless, skinless chicken breast, chopped 1 mango, peeled and pitted 2 fl oz (1/4 cup) chicken stock (here's how to make your own) 4 fl oz (1/2 cup) natural yogurt 1/2 tsp turmeric Dice the mango flesh, then puree in a food processor with the chicken stock, yogurt and turmeric. Pour into a small saucepan and warm, gently. Pour over the chopped chicken, mix well and serve with brown rice or cous cous.

Chicken Stock Recipe

leftover chicken carcass 2 onions 2 leeks 2 carrots 2 sticks of celery 2 tbsp chopped, fresh parsley Wash, peel and roughly chop the vegetables. Place the carcass into a large stock pot. Add the vegetables and parsley, then cover with plenty of water. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat until the liquid is simmering rapidly. Simmer, uncovered, for about 4 hours, skimming off any foam that rises to the surface. Remove the bones and strain the stock. If the stock is to be stored for future use, you may wish to simmer it for a few hours longer. This reduces it, making it more concentrated and easier to store.

Giving your baby spices and herbs - what are the benefits?
Besides adding an interesting dimension to the simplest dish, herbs and spices offer health benefits of their own. Here are some examples Cinnamon has been used across the world for medicinal purposes for many years. It is an excellent source of manganese, iron, fibre and calcium. Cinnamon supports the digestive system and can kill "unfriendly" bacteria like E. coli. (please note, however, that cinnamon is a potential allergen, so it should be introduced with care with your doctor's consent. You may prefer to delay the introduction of cinnamon altogether if there is a family history of food allergy). If you prepare any of your baby's food with cinnamon, don't forget to take a sniff... the scent is said to boost brain function! Read more about using cinnamon here. Garlic is a powerful anti-oxidant (see our blog article 'The Goodness of Garlic'). Turmeric has anti-oxidant properties (read our article 'Why Turmeric is One of the Best Spices You Can Give Your Baby'). Cumin helps support the digestive system. Coriander is classified as both a herb and a spice, because its leaves and seeds are used. It is a great source of magnesium, manganese, fibre and iron (read our article about the benefits of using corainder seed in your baby food recipes). Dill contains many important nutrients, helps fight cancer and heart disease and may even aid digestion (see our article about making Dillicious Baby Food). Nutmeg has a soothing effect on an upset tummy. Ginger is also great at calming upset tummies, which is why it's commonly recommended as a "cure" for morning sickness. It protects the body against bad bacteria and also helps eliminate gas from the intestines!

Spicy baby food ideas

Try adding a little dash of nutmeg to cooked or pureed vegetables - it compliments them really well! Nutmeg and cinnamon pair up perfectly with apple dishes, including baked apples and purees.

Add a little ginger to cooked carrots - the result is absolutely delicious! Ginger also tastes great with mashed bananas. Try mixing a little sage with your baby's veggies for a lovely, warm flavour. Chives, with their mildly "oniony" flavour, are delicious on a baked potato topped with cheese. The possibilities and combinations are, of course, endless. Experiment a little and see which flavours your baby prefers (observing the four day rule). And remember - by broadening your baby's palate now and introducing him to a wide range of new tastes, you are far less likely to encounter problems with "fussy feeding" later on.

Indian Baby Food Recipes - Chicken And Sweet Potato Curry

1 chicken breast, cut into 1" pieces. 2 sweet potatoes, peeled and diced 4 oz (1/2 cup) red lentils one small onion, finely chopped 1 tbsp safflower oil pinch cinnamon pinch cardamom pinch cumin pinch coriander pinch turmeric 16 - 24 fl oz (2-3 cups) water Heat the oil and fry the onions with the cinnamon until tender. Add the chicken and cook until golden brown. Add the potatoes and spices and stir well. Finally, add the water and lentils and cook for about 30 mins, until the lentils are soft. You may need to add extra water towards the end of the cooking time, to prevent the curry from becoming too dry. Serve with brown or white overcooked rice.

Indian Baby Food Recipes - Indian Vegetable Soup

1 potato, peeled and diced 1 carrot, peeled and diced 1 medium beet, diced 1 turnip, peeled and diced 1 small onion, chopped 2 oz (1/4 cup) peas, fresh or frozen 2oz (1/4 cup) green beans, chopped 2 oz (1/4 cup) cauliflower, diced 1 cabbage leaf, chopped pinch cumin 1 bay leaf 1 tbsp butter 32 fl oz (4 cups) water

Melt the butter in a large saucepan. Add the cumin and bay leaf and cook for 2 mins. Add the vegetables and cook very gently for 10 mins, stirring occasionally. Pour in the water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until all the vegetables are tender. Remove the bay leaf. If the dish is too textured for your baby, then simply puree in a food processor.

Fish Baby Food Recipes - Fish With Veggies

1 fillet of any cooked white fish 2 tbsp milk (you can use breast milk or formula) 1 tbsp cooked peas, mashed 1 tbsp cooked carrots, mashed 1 tbsp cooked sweet potato, mashed 1 tbsp unsalted butter (melted) or olive oil Simply place all ingredients in a blender and puree until creamy.

Fish Baby Food Recipes - Oven Baked Plaice

1 plaice fillet, skinned 2 tomatoes, skinned, seeded and chopped (if your baby is sensitive to tomatoes, you may wish to use this recipe later in your baby's first year) 1/2 tsp unsalted butter 4 fl oz (1/2 cup) milk (you can use breast milk or formula) 1 bay leaf 1 potato Preheat oven to 350 deg F, 180 deg C. Put plaice in an oven-proof dish and top with the tomato, butter and bay leaf. Pour in 3/4 of the milk. Cover and cook in the oven for 20 mins. Meanwhile, boil the potato then mash with the remaining milk and butter. Mash the fish with a fork (don't forget to remove the bay leaf), then puree the fish with the milk from cooking. Combine with the mashed potato and serve.

Fish Baby Food Recipes - Hearty Fish Chowder

8 oz (1 cup) any white fish fillet, cut into 1 in pieces 2 tbsp carrots, peeled and grated 1 tbsp celery, diced 1 tbsp onion, chopped finely 1 tbsp flour 1 tbsp butter 16fl oz (2 cups) milk (use breast milk, formula if you prefer) 1 large baking potato, peeled and diced Melt the butter in a saucepan, over a medium heat. Add the carrot, celery and onion and saute for 3 mins.

Stir in the flour, then slowly blend in half the milk, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Add the potato, then bring to a boil. Reduce the heat then simmer, uncovered, for about 30 mins, stirring occasionally. Add the fish and the remaining milk, then cook until the fish is done (about 10 mins). Mash any lumps with a fork.

Fish Baby Food Recipes - Haddock And Vegetable Mash

8 oz (1 cup) haddock, poached, with bones and skin removed 4 oz (1/2 cup) potatoes, peeled and chopped 1 courgette/zucchini, sliced 1 carrot, peeled and sliced 1 tsp unsalted butter 1 tsp parsley, chopped Just cover the potato and carrot with water in a small saucepan and simmer for 8 mins. Add the sliced zucchini and continue to cook until all the veggies are tender. Drain. Mash well. Flake the fish, then mix with the vegetables. Add the butter, then top with the parsley.

Fish Baby Food Recipes - Foil Wrapped Salmon With Cous Cous
1 small salmon fillet 1/2 small red bell pepper, sliced 2 or 3 cherry tomatoes (if your baby is sensitive to tomatoes, you may wish to use this recipe later in your baby's first year) 1/2 tsp unsalted butter 1/2 tsp lemon juice (optional) 1 tsp fresh parsley, chopped 3 oz (1/2 cup) couscous Preheat the oven to 350 deg F, 180 deg C. Place the salmon on a piece of foil. Top with the red pepper and tomatoes, then dot with the butter and drizzle over the lemon juice (if using). Add the parsley, then wrap carefully in the foil and seal. Place in the oven and cook for 20-30 mins, until the salmon is cooked through. Meanwhile, prepare the cous cous and set aside. Remove the salmon from the oven, empty into a bowl along with the vegetables and cooking liquid, and combine with the cous cous. Mash well, or puree as necessary.

Creative Carrot Baby Food Recipes and Ideas For Tiny Diners
They're sweet and delicious, wholesome and nutritious - no wonder babies love carrots!

On this page, we'll show you how to make yummy carrot baby food recipes, with lots of tips to help you safely prepare this veggie for your little one!

Carrot baby food recipes nutritional information

One of the most well known benefits of consuming carrots is that they promote good vision (remember how you were told as a child to eat up your carrots so you could see in the dark?).

Carrots are the BEST vegetable source of beta-carotene, which the human body converts to vitamin A. A deficiency of vitamin A can cause poor vision - including night vision - so Mum was quite right after all! The anti-oxidants in carrots also protect the eyes against the effects of aging and help prevent the development of cataracts in the elderly. And, of course, the powerful anti-oxidants, minerals and fibre provided by carrots help guard against other serious conditions like heart disease and cancer. Carrots may turn baby's skin orange... ...if eaten very regularly. Although you may find your baby's sun-tanned hue a little disconcerting, it's not harmful and should disappear as you begin to cut back on the carrots!
Which are better - baby carrots or regular ones? Those nice little bags of peeled, washed baby carrots - with their tidy, uniform size - would seem to be the most nutritious choice for your carrot baby food recipes.

So it may come as a surprise to learn that they're not! Those carrots are not actually 'baby' carrots at all. Instead, they're regular carrots, trimmed to a uniform shape and size. 'Real' baby carrots (or miniature carrots) do actually exist, but they're much harder to find and tend to be very expensive. Processed 'baby' carrots are peeled and washed in special solutions. Yet the vast majority of the nutrients in carrots are contained in the peel! A healthier option is to buy organic carrots (which do not require peeling) and to avoid the pre-washed carrots altogether!

Handy tip!
Don't store your carrots with potatoes, apples or other ethylene gas-producing veggies or fruits. This will not only shorten their shelf life, but may also make them taste bitter.
It's also a good idea to search for particularly thick carrots. This is because the sugars are concentrated in the core of the vegetable... therefore, the larger the core - the sweeter the carrot!

Making carrot baby food - how to puree carrots

Carrots are very versatile - they can be steamed, boiled (in very little water, to preserve their nutrients), roasted or even fried!

To make a simple carrot puree for your baby, slice or chop a carrot and either steam it - or boil it in a little water - until tender (this will probably take around 5 - 8 minutes... don't overcook the carrots to the point where they become mushy or watery, as they will have lost much of their goodness). However, another method - and a big favourite with OUR babies - is to BAKE the carrots, which really intensifies the sweetness and is very easy to do! Just cut the carrots into sticks, wrap loosely in foil and pop into an oven preheated to 375 deg F.. The carrots will cook in their own steam and should be tender and ready for pureeing within 20-30 minutes - please take care when you open the foil parcel, as steam will escape! The taste of baked carrots is so appealing that they really don't need enhancing - but you can, of course, add a little 'zip' by tossing the carrots first in olive oil and fresh herbs or - for older babies - adding a little lemon juice. You can also create tasty combos by adding another fruit or veggie to the parcel prior to cooking - sliced apple or pear tastes great! AND - besides the yummy flavour - there's another benefit to this method of cooking carrots for your baby... no pots to wash up afterwards!

Easy carrot baby food ideas

Here are a few suggestions for other fruits and veggies that pair up wonderfully with carrots... sweet potato apple butternut squash parsnips white potato swede/rutabaga

And here are some herbs and spices that perfectly compliment the flavour of carrots (read more about introducing spices, herbs and garlic to your baby) ginger parsley dill chives coriander/cilantro thyme marjoram nutmeg

Carrot baby food recipes

Carrot and apple soup (6 months+)

1 large carrot, peeled (if not organic) and diced 1 white potato, peeled and diced 1 apple, peeled, cored and diced pinch nutmeg (optional) low sodium or homemade vegetable stock - or water Place the veggie and apple cubes into a saucepan and cover with stock. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until tender (around 10 mins), adding a little extra stock if necessary. Add the nutmeg, transfer to a blender and puree until smooth This is a very versatile recipe - by adjusting the amount of stock that you use, you can create a very thick, almost puree-like soup - or a runnier, 'traditional' soup!

Parsnip and carrot baby food puree with thyme (6 months+)

1 tbsp unsalted butter 6 oz (3/4 cup) carrots, sliced (and peeled, if not organic) 6 oz (3/4 cup) parsnips, sliced 1 garlic clove, crushed (optional) 1 sprig of fresh thyme or a pinch of dried 8 fl oz (1 cup) low sodium or homemade chicken stock Preheat the oven to 375 deg F, 190 deg C. Saute the carrot and parsnip in butter over a low heat. Add the garlic (if using) and the thyme and continue to cook until the veggies are tender. Pour in the stock and bring to the boil. Transfer to an oven-proof dish and cover. Cook for a further 20 mins. Remove the thyme sprig, then puree or mash.

Fruity carrot baby food combo (6 months+)

8 oz (1 cup) carrots, peeled (if not organic) and diced 2 oz (1/4 cup) dried apricots, chopped water Easy peasy - just simmer both ingredients in enough water to cover until tender, then puree or mash well. Delicious!

Easy cheesy carrot mash (6 months+)

2 potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks 2 carrots, peeled (if not organic) and cut into chunks 1 tsp unsalted butter pinch nutmeg handful of grated cheddar cheese Boil the carrot and potato chunks until tender, then drain and mash thoroughly. Stir in the butter and nutmeg. Top with the grated cheese and place under the grill/broiler until golden. Cool and serve.

Sunshine humus (8 months+)

1 medium carrot, peeled (if not organic) and sliced 1 fl oz (1/8 cup) water 1 clove garlic, crushed 8 oz (1 cup) canned chickpeas (use salt-free chickpeas, otherwise drain and rinse thoroughly) pinch paprika Steam or boil the carrot until tender. Place the carrot, water, garlic and chick peas into a food processor and blend until smooth. Sprinkle with paprika and serve with pieces of warm pita!

4 quick ways to increase your baby's calcium intake on a regular basis

Offer him yogurt, either mixed with his favourite fruit puree or as a delicious dip with fruit or veggie sticks. Sprinkle grated cheese on to cooked veggies, pasta and soup. Offer your little one fingers of cheese on toast (grilled cheese) and offer pieces of cheese as a finger food. If your older baby refuses to drink milk, try freezing it to make milk lollies (popsicles) - they're far more tempting! Add some fruit puree for extra flavour! Stir milk into mashed potatoes, make milky puddings and - if you use any types of instant cereal - make them with milk instead of water. Milk remains a good source (but by no means the ONLY source) of calcium throughout life. Calcium from milk is easily absorbed and milk products are generally popular with children (experts even recommend adding a little chocolate syrup for those less willing to drink milk - this is still healthier than drinking soda instead!) Soy milk (some brands are better than others, so it's important to read the label). Cheese is a great way to get calcium into your baby as it's very easy to incorporate into meals (it tastes great sprinkled over cooked veggies, for example). In addition, people who can't tolerate other dairy products often do better with cheese. This is because the milk protein that can cause problems breaks down as the cheese matures. When can my baby eat cheese and which are the safest cheeses? Yogurt - the calcium from yogurt is easily absorbed and, like cheese, yogurt is often better tolerated than other dairy products by sensitive individuals. Fortunately, yogurt is also a very popular food with babies! Learn how to make your own yogurt here! Blackstrap molasses black eyed peas lentils sardines (our babies loved a little sardine mashed on toast!)

Good calcium sources for your baby

collard greens and spinach (although these plants have a high calcium content, it is less well absorbed than from other foods - see the notes below about calcium absorption) kale broccoli okra salmon cottage cheese (try mixing it with fruit puree if your little one refuses it!) squash (summer and winter - see our butternut squash baby food ideas here) oranges (1 year+) calcium-fortified orange juice calcium-fortified cereal chickpeas/garbanzo beans pinto beans raisins prunes swede/rutabaga amaranth (you can read more about amaranth and other nutritious grains here) some tofu (tofu processed with calcium sulfate - a calcium salt - is a good source of calcium. But tofu processed with a NON calcium salt is not a significant source of calcium. Of tofu processed WITH calcium sulfate, the firm variety is a better source of calcium than the soft.) watercress parsley

Lentil baby food - nutritional value Lentils are VERY good for your baby (and for you, too) - and here's why they are credited with being one of the 5 healthiest foods...

Lentils are a good source of

protein - on average, lentils are 26% protein, more than any other type of legume besides soybeans calcium carbohydrates B vitamins phosphorus iron (about twice as much as other legumes) fibre

Will eating lentils give my baby gas (wind)? Lentils and other legumes have a reputation for causing gas because they contain large sugar molecules that the body is unable to break down. These

molecules end up in the large intestine, where they are eaten by bacteria - and gas is produced as a result.

But not everyone has a problem with legumes - indeed, different foods tend to cause gas for different people.
The best advice is to start by giving your baby small quantities of lentils, once he is already enjoying fruits and veggies (probably at around 7/8 months+, although some babies enjoy them far sooner). As long as there are no symptoms of digestive upset, then try offering a little more.

Consider this - babies in Indian cultures, where the lentil dish dhal (or dal) is a staple food, are regularly fed lentils from the time they start solids. This is often at 4 or 5 months - earlier than recommended in western cultures - yet they tend to do very well with them. Some experts believe that eating lentils and other legumes on a regular basis "conditions" the body so it is able to digest them more easily. There are other ways in which lentils can be made easier to digest...
Some people recommend soaking the lentils before cooking them, throwing away the water, then soaking them again. After soaking, you can then try simmering the lentils for 10 mins, then draining them again. Replace the water and continue to simmer the lentils until cooked. Although this seems a bit tedious, many people swear by this method of improving the digestibility of lentils. JUST BE SURE TO THROW AWAY THE SOAKING WATER - don't cook the lentils in it! Another idea is to try cooking the lentils very, very slowly - 1 to 2 hours for red lentils and 2 to 4 hours for brown or green. This does seem to help and explains why lentils are more easily digested when cooked as part of a soup, casserole or stew. Try adding a good slice of fresh ginger to the water when you cook the lentils. Ginger is a great aid to digestion. Avoid canned lentils. Nutritionally, they are equal to dried (as long as no extra salt or sugar has been added). But none of the techniques above will have been applied through the cooking process - so they will be more likely to give your baby gas.

asy veggie and lentil baby food puree

1 tbsp red lentils 2oz (1/4 cup) sweet potato, peeled and diced 2oz (1/4 cup) chopped cauliflower 1 medium carrot, peeled and diced roughly 6 fl oz (3/4 cup) milk - (use breast milk or formula if you prefer) Rinse the lentils, then put all the ingredients into a small saucepan. Bring to the boil. Next, lower the heat and simmer the mixture until the lentils are cooked and the veggies are tender (about 20-30 mins). You can always add a little more milk if the mixture begins to dry out. Put the mixture into a food processor and blend until smooth!

Lentil baby food puree with fruits and veggies

2oz (1/4 cup) red lentils 1 leek, sliced

1 small sweet potato, peeled and diced 4oz (1/2 cup) cauliflower florets 8 fl oz (1 cup) chicken stock 1 small apple, peeled, cored and chopped Saute the leek for a few minutes in a little oil. Pour in 6 fl oz (3/4 cup) of stock, then add the lentils and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 5 mins, then add the sweet potato. Simmer for a further 5 mins, then add the cauliflower and apple. Simmer for a further 10-15 mins, until all the veggies are tender. If the mixture dries out, add more stock as required. Puree in a blender if necessary.

Dhal recipe for baby

Dhal is eaten daily in many Indian households. You can add or omit ingredients from the following recipe as your baby prefers - dhal is a very versatile food! You can serve it alone, with rice (brown is more nutritious) or, for older babies, with an Indian bread like nan or roti. 4oz (1/2 cup) red lentils little oil 1 small onion 1tsp grated fresh ginger 1 clove of garlic, crushed around 16 fl oz (2 cups) water 1 small sweet potato 1/2 tsp coriander 1/2 tsp turmeric 1/2 tsp cinnamon Heat the oil in a medium saucepan and saute the onion for a few minutes. Add the garlic and the ginger and continue to saute for several minutes. Add the remaining spices and cook for 5 more minutes. Add 10 fl oz (1 1/4 cups) water and stir, then add the sweet potato and lentils. Bring to the boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 20-30 mins, until the lentils are cooked. If your dhal looks too dry at any point, add more water.

Lentil baby food - lentil soup with apricots

This sweet and savoury soup makes a tasty treat for the entire family! little olive oil 8oz (1 cup) red lentils 1 small onion, diced 1 carrot, peeled and diced 1 tsp ground cumin 26 fl oz (3 1/4 cup) water 4oz (1/2 cup) dried apricots, chopped Heat the oil and saute the onions and carrots for around 10 mins, until tender. Add the cumin and stir thoroughly, then reduce the heat to very low. Cover the vegetables and leave to "sweat" for 8-10 mins. Add the lentils and enough water to cover the mixture. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer gently for 20-25 mins, until the lentils are cooked and the carrots are tender (you

may need to add more water during the cooking time). Remove from the heat and allow to cool slightly. Pour the mixture into a food processor and add the apricots, along with the remaining water. Puree until smooth.

When Can My Baby Eat Cheese?

Discover The Safest Cheeses For Baby Cheese is a excellent food for babies. It is packed with calcium (the importance of which we discuss here) - and it also provides protein, vitamin A, vitamin D and vitamin B12. In fact, the vitamin B12 content of cheese makes it an important part of the diet for vegetarian babies, as this is a nutrient often derived from meat.

Cheese also provides energy and is ideal for babies who require a calorie rich diet. To make things easy for us parents, cheese tastes wonderful, many babies enjoy it... and it it can be easily incorporated into their meals. This page look at the best types of cheese for babies... and discover a little known fact about cheese that makes it an even MORE desirable part of baby's menu!

When can my baby eat cheese?

Guidelines for the introduction of cheese vary from one part of the world to another.

In the UK, for example, cheese is typically included in the infant diet from around 6 months of age. Guidelines in the US, however, are more conservative, with some sources suggesting waiting until 8-9 months to introduce cheese - and others go so far as to rule out dairy products altogether until at baby is at least 12 months of age. Cheese isn't your typical dairy product, however. The milk protein commonly responsible for dairy allergy is largely broken down in cheese as it matures and cheese is often well tolerated by individuals with sensitivities to dairy products. The same applies to yogurt, which is why many pediatricians will agree that it is safe to introduce both of these products prior to baby's first birthday. It's certainly worth delaying the introduction of cheese if there is a family history of food allergy (particularly an allergy to dairy products), or if your baby has asthma or eczema. This is because cheese may act as a 'trigger food' for these conditions. As with all new foods, you should talk to your doctor before introducing cheese to your baby.

The little known benefit of including cheese in baby's diet

Well, you may not be aware that cheese can actually play a part in the prevention of tooth decay! Your baby does not even need to swallow the cheese - merely chewing it is enough to receive its benefits!

Exactly HOW cheese protects the teeth is still a point of debate, but there are several reasons why this may be so. For one thing, chewing cheese promotes saliva production, which both neutralizes harmful acids in the mouth and washes them away. In fact, it is believed that cheese stops the bacteria on the teeth from turning into the acids that demineralize tooth enamel. Further, cheese contains plenty of calcium and phosphorus - so eating it replaces minerals lost from the tooth enamel, essentially strengthening the teeth. If you've always enjoyed finishing a meal with a cheese board, then this is a good reason to continue to do so - and to get baby to have a nibble, too!

The safest cheeses for baby

You'll probably remember from pregnancy that there were certain cheeses you had to avoid, because they may contain listeria (a food poisoning bacteria). In general, it's actually unpasteurized soft cheeses that pose this risk - cheese made with pasteurized milk (even soft cheeses) are now considered to be safe for pregnant women.

This being said, there has been no change to medical recommendations for feeding these types of cheeses to babies. The safest option, therefore, is to offer only the following types of cheese to your little one (although it is still important to ensure that these are made with pasteurized milk).
Parmesan Edam Colby Colby Jack Swiss Mozzarella Monterey Jack Romano Babybel Paneer Provolone Red Leicester Cheshire Jarlsberg Gouda Lancashire Double Gloucester Grana Padano

The following cheeses are 'softer', but are still on the safe list.

Cottage Cheese Ricotta Mascarpone Cream cheese Cheese spread (make sure that your cheese spread is not labelled 'cheese flavour', which implies that it is NOT made from real cheese)

You may prefer to start your baby with a mild tasting cheese - that being said, our babies loved mature (sharp) cheddar. You may be surprised by what appeals to those little taste buds!

Cheeses you may prefer to avoid for at least the first year
Brie Camembert Chevre Queso Blanco Queso Fresco Danish Blue Stilton Saga Gorgonzola Roquefort Wensleydale

Can I give my baby processed cheese, American cheese or pre-sliced cheese?

Although these are not harmful to your baby, cheeses like these are - frankly pretty tasteless! In fact, they go through so much processing that they bear little resemblance to 'real' cheese, either in texture, taste or goodness.

Processed cheese is 'purpose built' to be smooth and easy to melt, with a mild taste and uniform texture. To achieve this, several 'real' cheeses are melted together and blended - then 'extras' such as emulsifiers, flavour enhancers, colours and stabilizers are added. Our advice? Keep cheese like this for your burgers and treat your baby to delicious, full-flavoured, 'real' cheese!

How to safely store cheese

Cheese should, of course, be kept in the refrigerator. But please note that it should be wrapped in foil or wax paper - not plastic wrap - because the fat content of cheese can cause the chemicals in plastic wrap to leach into the food.

Using cheese in your baby food recipes

Cheese can be added to your baby's diet in a multitude of ways! Firmer cheeses - or large curd cottage cheese - make great finger foods. Many firm cheeses can be easily cut into fun shapes to delight your little one! Prepare a simple lunch of cheese on toast (grilled cheese). Stir cottage cheese into cooked veggies, or sprinkle grated cheese on top (a great way to get the reluctant baby to eat them up)! Stir cottage cheese into cooked rice or pasta - or sprinkle firmer cheeses on top Add grated cheese to your omeletes, or add it to virtually any other dish including purees and soups. Mix cottage cheese with fruit purees (surprisingly yummy), mash it with avocado or tofu, or use it to top oatcakes or bagels.