When it comes time to introduce fruit into the baby's diet, bananas raise questions and concerns from mothers because of their foreign origin. Is it possible to give them to babies and at what age is it best done?
Pros
- They have a pleasant soft texture and sweet taste, thanks to which the product is liked by most children.
- It can be licked and sucked. It is very easy to chew.
- This fruit is rich in micro and macro elements important for the formation of the brain, skeletal system, blood and other organs of the baby. Among them are iron, potassium, fluorine and many others.
- Twenty percent of the composition is represented by carbohydrates, which break down rather quickly and are well absorbed in the child's body.
- This fruit contains many B vitamins, as well as ascorbic acid.
- He noted the properties of improving mood and promoting concentration.
- It is convenient to take this fruit for a walk or on the road and give it to your baby when he gets hungry.
Minuses
- Can cause digestive problems if introduced too early and in large quantities.
- Although allergic reactions to it are extremely rare, they still happen, so the first portions of the exotic fruit should be small, and the introduction of a banana into the menu should be done carefully and slowly.
- They are classified as quite high-calorie fruits, so it is better to limit them in the diet of children who are prone to gaining excess weight.
Possible side reactions
When introduced to a child's menu at a very early age, such a fruit can cause disorders of the digestive system. They are manifested in the baby by diarrhea, belching, bloating, vomiting and other unpleasant symptoms.
Since the banana is distinguished by fixing properties, infants prone to constipation should not be given this fruit in large quantities.
At what age is it better to give?
There is no exact age at which bananas are recommended to start using for feeding babies. Nevertheless, the optimal time for fruit feeding is considered to be the age of 8-9 months, regardless of the type of feeding. There are mothers who give them to babies already a month, but they are at great risk: experts categorically do not recommend feeding a banana to a baby under six months of age.
Introduction to the diet
For the first tests, it is advised to use mashed bananas in the amount of one spoon. Even if the child really liked it, one should not rush to increase the dose. After making sure that there is no rash on the skin, and the stool has not changed, the next time you can give it more.
If the baby's condition has changed, acquaintance with the product should be postponed for some time (for example, for a month). By the age of one year, a child can eat half a banana daily, and it is no longer required to grind it. You can give a whole fruit to a child at 1.5 years old.
In what form can you give?
Although you can see ready-made banana puree on store shelves, it is not difficult to make it yourself. The peeled banana is cut into pieces and steamed (use a steam bath), after which it is either whipped in a blender or simply kneaded with a fork. You can also use a mashed potato crush. Further, for the first tests, it is worth adding a little mother's milk or a mixture that the baby eats to the cooked puree.
Also, the first acquaintance can be made with the "squeezed" fruit. Wrap the banana slice in clean cheesecloth and twist it out so that the puree comes out through the holes. Give it with a few drops, gradually increasing the amount.
Banana, like other fruits, can be safely added to your child's porridge. Also, mashed potatoes from it can be varied by adding crushed cookies to it or mixing with any fermented milk product.
How to choose?
For a children's menu, bananas need to be selected ripe. The fruit should be bright yellow in color. If you buy a greenish fruit, it can cause digestive problems in your little one. Having bought such an unripe fruit, let it lie at home for several days until it acquires a yellow color.
Also, do not buy bananas with black dots for children, as this is a sign of overripe fruit. It is from him that allergies are possible.
If you choose canned banana puree, pay attention to the appearance of the packaging, as well as the expiration dates.
Useful Tips
- They should not be given as the first foods of complementary foods, since its sweetness and delicate taste can make the crumbs unwilling to eat other foods, for example, porridge or vegetable puree.
- For the first acquaintance, you should not buy a fruit on the market. In the early years, it is better to give your baby fruit that is tested and certified, so it is preferable to take them from the store.
Find out if your child's weight is normal using the following calculator.
