baby weaning recipes to live by

Most babies hit the weaning mark at around 6 months of age. This is when they can finally move over from breastfeeding to consuming solid food. But some babies are known to be ready for solid food as early as 4 months of age, so there’s no hard and fast rule for you to stick by. If you feel like your baby is ready, give it a shot.Homemade dishes are obviously your first choice as opposed to buying it off the shelf of a grocery store. However, be careful to avoid common allergens that could cause you some problems. Since you don’t know exactly what your baby is allergic to, try to avoid allergens that run in the family. Also, you could avoid foods like nuts, shellfish, fish, wheat and soy. These are some of the items that babies don’t always react positively to. Here are a few easy recipes to use when you begin the weaning process!

Avocado puree

This fruit is somewhat like a treasure trove of nutrients. It contains nutrients like Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Folate, and is extremely important for your baby’s brain and physical growth. A puree is the smoothest form of food that you could give to a baby that requires the least amount of chewing.And it doesn’t involve cooking! All you have to do is peel the skin of the avocado and scoop out the fruit surrounding the seed. Since avocado’s have a soft texture, it wouldn’t be too cumbersome to mash. Mash thoroughly to avoid clumps. Your avocado puree is safe to refrigerate.

2. Applesauce

This one’s a winner, because apples are available all year round. Peel the apples and cut into chunks. Place it in a pan with just enough water to soften all the chunks of apple. Avoid pouring too much water as it could make the apples too soggy. Stir this on a medium flame. Once the apples are soft, mash them thoroughly. If you are unsatisfied with the consistency, place the mixture in a masher with some water and mix until you obtain the desired consistency. If approved by the pediatrician, you could even add some cinnamon for extra taste!

3. Banana puree

You’ve got to be a bit careful with this one, as too many bananas cause constipation. However, it ranks last on the effort scale. Microwave the banana for a few seconds to make it softer. Mash it with a spoon or place it in the mixer. Add some breastmilk, formula or water to thicken it if required.

4. Rice cereal

If you’ve given your little one a puree of fruits and vegetables and want to experiment with something new, cereals are an equally healthy and easy option. Take one cup of water and boil. While boiling, add ¼ cups of rice powder a bit at a time and stir. The rice powder could be ground in the mixer before adding. Keep stirring and whisking, and let it simmer for about ten minutes. You could also add breastmilk, formula or more water to achieve the desired consistency. Let it cool before serving.

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