10 superfoods for your baby
Starting your baby on solid foods can be a bit daunting but as anything you need to find a way to make it colourful and fun for both you and your baby.Best believe its going to get messy but the great thing you can take from all the mess you are going to clean up is you are taking positive steps to raise a healthy kid.
My food journey with my two kids has been different when compared.Kai is the picky-eater that makes eating a physical workout whilst, on the other hand,Kyle is a foodie like mummy.Of course there is some food he purses his lips to like maize-meal porridge with peanut butter but because he loves food so much I can get at least 3 to 5 spoons in before he starts acting up.
How do you know if your baby is ready to start eating solid foods?
He can sit up properly by holding his head up.
He shows interest when you are eating food.
He puts things in his mouth.
Once your baby is showing all these three factors are present, let the feeding games begin!
Here are the 10 best stage 1 foods for your baby.Stage 1 foods are given to babies who are just starting solid foods.The stage 1 foods are heavily pureed and strained for easier digestion for your baby.
I love the fruit strainers or the food mesh net feeder they make it easier for us mommies, especially when you do not want to blend or mesh some foods ,for example, a banana. You simply wash your hands cut the banana into small pieces and place in the mesh net feeder and give to your baby.It is easy for your baby to hold and feed himself.It is a bit messy cause the food will be squished out but this can give your baby an opportunity to feel the texture of the food he is eating.
Avocados
I am a big fan of avocados and I am on team-add salt to the avocado not sugar.Avocados are rich in nutrients.Its creamy texture provides omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins C,E,K&B6, magnesium and phosphorous amongst other nutrients.The fibre in avocados ensures easier digestion.Avocados are also healthy for babies and pregnancies as it has folate and adequate intake reduces the risk of miscarriage and neural tube defects.You can mash the avocados for your baby or you can place in the mesh net feeder and give it to your baby.
Sweet potato
Babies love sweet potatoes because of the natural sweetness it has.You can boil the sweet potato.Add breastmilk or formula or water and blend the sweet potatoes and feed to your baby.Sweet potatoes have high amounts of fibre and potassium which helps prevent constipation in babies.According to Harvard Medical School's Harvard Health Publications. sweet potatoes aid in increasing fertility in women.The vitamin A in sweet potatoes (consumed as beta-carotene then converted to vitamin A in the body) is also essential for hormone synthesis during pregnancy and lactation.
Pumpkin
One of Kyle's favourite food is pumpkin.I boil it with broccoli and blend it.He eats it all up every time.Pumpkins are great for babies' health as they are rich in antioxidants and essential nutrients.They also help with constipation as the fibre helps make digestion for your baby.Vitamin C in pumpkins boost babies immunity against colds and flu.
Broccoli
The green veggie contains high levels of both calcium and vitamin K, both of which are important for bone health.It is a powerful antioxidant as well as aids in cancer prevention.You can mix it with butternut or pumpkin or any food of your choice or serve it on its own.It is a superfood for both grownups and our children.
Banana
The most common fruit which is highly underestimated is a powerhouse of nutrients.It fuels our kids' brains.Bananas make your baby smarter and help with learning by making your kids more alert.But do not go bananas on feeding baby too much, it can get your baby constipated.
Applesauce
When making applesauce you must keep away from apples such as granny-smith apples as they can be a bit bitter for your baby.You need to choose those that are red and sweet.Wash the apple and hands, peel the apple and cut it into pieces and boil for about 5 minutes thereafter blend the apples.You can incorporate the applesauce into baby's cereal or feed it on its own like that.I mix sweet potato and apples or pears it is a good combo for the little ones.
Beans
They are filled with important nutrients including protein, iron, calcium, B vitamins and fibre that help nourish your baby's growing body. They can be mashed or pureed, or an older baby can enjoy them in their whole form. Unless your child has a bean or legume allergy, all beans are safe for babies to eat.
Meat
If you are not vegetarians make sure your chicken or fish or red meat is thoroughly cooked and blended thereafter to feed your little one.Iron from meat helps provide your baby with the needed iron he needs.After 6 months the iron in breastmilk is not sufficient for your baby thus getting it from external sources is very important.
Egg yolks
If baby does not have an allergy egg yolks are good for baby as they are simply easy to digest and they provide important nutrients to your little one.They are a good source of proteins and natural fats.Before the MMR vaccine the nurse told me to feed Kai some egg yolk and monitor him for any reactions.
Yoghurt
The easiest and yummiest super food ever.It comes packed no need to cook or blend yipeee. Kids love yoghurt and it has live cultures that create a good environment for easier digestion.
These are the best super food to start your baby on.It is important to try one food at a time checking for any allergies.
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