Baby Food Recipes, News and Information

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Here's a delicious recipe to start the week, combining fish with a simple tomato sauce.

This would make a tasty meal for babies from around 7 months of age - and it can be adapted to suit your baby's needs! For example, if your little one prefers to feed himself, then try removing the fish bites from the sauce once cooked and serving them as a finger food, with the sauce on the side for dipping. Alternatively, you can mash the ingredients together for spoon feeding - or even puree them if your baby objects to texture.

Please note: This recipe contains tomatoes, the acidity of which may cause nappy/diaper rash in babies. Some parents prefer to wait until later in their babies' first year before introducing tomatoes.

Here's what you'll need...

8oz (1cup) white fish fillet
2tbsp fresh, whole wheat bread crumbs (you can make these by tearing up slices of whole wheat bread,then blitzing them in a food processor)
1tbsp fresh chives, chopped
8oz (1 cup) chopped tomatoes (you can use canned tomatoes if you prefer, which are rich in valuable lycopenes)
1 small courgette (zucchini), diced
2oz grated cheddar cheese (optional)

Remove the skin from the fish and check (then double check) that it is completely boneless.
Cut it into chunks, then put them in a blender.
Add the breadcrumbs and chives to the blender.
Process the mixture until the fish is well chopped (but NOT pureed).
With your hands, divide the mixture into 8-10 portions, then roll them into balls.
Put the tomatoes into a small saucepan and add the diced courgette (zucchini). Bring to the boil over a medium heat.
Add the fish bites, lower the heat, then cover and simmer for 10 mins.
Serve, topped with the grated cheese.

If your baby enjoys this fishy feast, then check out more fish recipes here.

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January 7, 2008 14:52 - New Research Says Delaying Solids Doesn't Prevent Allergies

When it comes to food and nutrition, it seems that the rules are always changing. New research continues to cast doubts on previously held beliefs - and the guidelines for feeding babies are often revised as a result.

Making medical headlines today is a new report that says that delaying the introduction of solid foods may NOT prevent food allergies.

Up to now, organizations such as the WHO and the American Academy of Pediatrics have recommended that parents delay solids in order to prevent the development of allergies like asthma, allergic rhinitis, and eczema. But researchers in Germany at the GSF-National Research Center for Environment and Health in Neuherberg, found "...no evidence to recommend a delayed introduction of solids beyond 4 or 6 months for the prevention of asthma, allergic rhinitis, and food or inhalant sensitization at the age of 6 years".

During studies, the research team - led by Dr. Anne Zutavern - reviewed 2,073 children who had complete records and had been followed up over a 6 year period. They noted that those children who received no solid food before 4 to 6 months of age did NOT have a lower risk of sensitization to food allergens, nasal allergies or asthma.

One interesting point, however, was that delaying solids DID seem to prevent the development of eczema. Researchers found that children with no sign of skin or allergy symptoms in their first 6 months were more likely to develop eczema in later life if they were given solids before 4 months of age.

Source: http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/121/1/e44.short?cited-by=yes&legid=pediatrics;121/1/e44

So is is it safe to introduce solid foods early?

Even though doubts may have been cast over the effectiveness of delaying solids to prevent allergies, there are still other good reasons why introducing solids early is NOT recommended.

Breast milk or formula contain all the nutrients your baby needs for the first six months of life. By introducing solids too early, there is the risk that they will 'replace' milk - and that your baby will demand less than he actually needs.

The early introduction of solids is also believed to contribute to obesity, because it causes infants to consume a greater number of calories than necessary.

And, of course, the stage of baby's development is key to safely introducing solid foods. All sorts of problems - from constipation to digestive discomfort - can result from giving solids to a baby whose digestive system is immature. Parents who wait until their babies are at least 6 months of age before getting started with 'real' food often experience less of these types of problems. Also, the 'tongue thrust' reflex has diminished - babies too young for solids often end up pushing everything out that you've pushed in!

Babies should also be sitting well before moving on from their 'liquid diet'. This ensures that they are able to swallow food easily and reduces the risk of choking.

Given the list of benefits (including the possible prevention of the development of eczema) - there are still plenty of reasons to wait until your baby is around the 6 month mark before introducing them to the world of solid foods!

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January 10, 2008 14:52 - Basic Parsnip and Carrot Puree

If you haven't yet included parsnips in your baby's menu, then he's really in for a treat with this delicious pasrnip and carrot puree recipe.

Parsnips look like creamy coloured carrots, but actually remind me a little of bananas in flavour! They contain lots of nutrients for your baby (including vitamin C, vitamin K, magnesium, folates and potassium) and puree to a lovely creamy texture.

Avoid using very large parsnips when cooking for your baby, as these will contain a larger 'core', which can sometimes be a bit stringy. If you do need to use a large parsnip, then the best option is to cut out the core altogether.

Make sure that you have introduced the parsnip or carrot separately before combining them in this recipe, which will help you identify if either vegetable causes any kind of allergic reaction or digestive problem in your baby. The same applies to the nutmeg - if you'd like to include it, ensure that your baby is safely enjoying the vegetables first!

For baby's parsnip and carrot puree you will need...

1 medium carrot
1 medium parsnip
tiny pinch of nutmeg (optional)

Peel the carrot and parsnip, then dice.
Simmer in a little water until tender.
Drain (reserving the cooking liquid), then puree in a food processor, adding a little of the cooking water if you'd like a thinner texture.
Stir in the nutmeg and serve!

Variations

For a more robust meal, you can also add peeled, diced potatoes to the cooking pot.

If you're having difficulty getting your baby to eat vegetables, then we have two great tips to help them enjoy this meal...

• Cook the carrots and vegetables in chicken or beef broth (stock) to add a tasty twist

• Try cooking and pureeing the carrot and parsnip separately, then putting the two mixtures into separate sandwich bags. Next, snip a hole in the corner of each bag and 'pipe' the purees into your baby's feeding dish, creating alternating swirls of colour! Don't, of course, go to all this trouble for younger babies who simply won't appreciate your efforts - but older babies will find this visually appealing and may feel tempted to give veggies another try!

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January 12, 2008 15:48 - How to Cook Lentils For Your Baby

These little legumes are packed with goodness and play an important role in nutrition across the world.

Including lentils in your baby's diet is very easy - they're such a versatile food that they blend effortlessly with your little one's favourite veggies and add valuable nutritive benefits.

So just HOW do you cook lentils for your baby? Which are the best varieties to use... and will lentils give your baby gas?

These questions - and more - answered here

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