At what age can a child be given a liver?

Many adults love liver dishes, so in their families such a product is in demand and appears on the table quite often. And when a baby grows up in the family, ready to try complementary foods, parents are interested in whether it can be introduced into the children's menu in the first year of life. At the same time, questions arise when to give beef liver, and when to introduce it to chicken or pork. In search of answers, it is worth figuring out whether there is any benefit to the child's body from its use, whether this product is harmful to babies, and also how to properly prepare it for children.

What is useful

It is a protein dish from which children receive the entire list of amino acids necessary for their body. Among them are all essential amino acids that are not formed in the body, but enter it with food.
Dishes from it will give the child many vitamins, among which there are especially many vitamins E, A and D (fat-soluble), folic acid, choline and other vitamins of group B. Also, the liver acts as a source of various mineral salts, for example, iron, copper, calcium, selenium, magnesium and many others.
The cholesterol contained in it is important for the synthesis of hormones and other compounds, therefore, in a small amount, it must enter the child's body.
The use of the liver can prevent the development of anemia and hypovitaminosis, and also has a positive effect on the child's immunity and growth processes in his body.

Minuses

In some children, it provokes an allergic reaction.
Due to its high protein content, meals made from it are not recommended for children with kidney disease.
Excessive use of it impairs the functioning of the digestive tract.
Due to the presence of a slight bitterness in the taste of the liver, some children refuse such a product.

From how many months can you give?

It is possible to acquaint a child with such a type of offal as a liver even before a year. It is advised to start the introduction to complementary foods after the child has tried meat dishes and is used to them. Most children can be offered it for the first time from 8-9 months. At first, the product is simply boiled and thoroughly ground until a homogeneous and not too thick consistency is obtained.

For a one-year-old child, soufflés, pates, casseroles, soups, puddings and other dishes are prepared from the liver. When the baby learns to chew well, he can be treated to stewed and oven-baked liver, and fried dishes from such a product, for example, liver pancakes, are given no earlier than 3 years of age. As for the question of what to give the liver with, then often such a product is combined with vegetable dishes. It can be supplemented with a cereal side dish.

What is the best choice for baby food?

There are several types of liver, and each has its own benefits for inclusion in the children's diet.

The kid can be offered the following liver:

Beef or veal. It is advised to start feeding the liver with it, since such a product is absorbed very easily and rarely causes allergies. Beef liver is high in vitamin A and B vitamins, as well as low in calories. Its use maintains hemoglobin at a high level and increases the body's defenses. The downsides are some harshness and the need to spend time cleaning from bile ducts and films.
Chicken. Its advantages include tenderness of consistency and pleasant taste. It also prepares and cooks faster than other organ meats. This product is rich in iron and folic acid, therefore it has a positive effect on immune function and hematopoiesis. It also contains a lot of choline, which has a beneficial effect on the nervous system and brain activity of the child.
Pig. This type of liver is quite tender and loose in consistency, and the calorie content of the product is low. In addition, it prepares rather quickly, and it does not have hard films. However, this offal also has disadvantages, including a slightly reduced content of nutrients, as well as the frequent presence of a bitter aftertaste in ready-made dishes. Nevertheless, children get iron, copper, manganese, vitamins A, E, group B, cobalt, iodine and many other substances from pork liver.
Turkey. Like chicken liver, turkey liver is easy to digest, cook quickly, has a delicate structure and a pleasant taste. At the same time, it is quite high in calories due to its high fat content (there are almost twice as many calories as in beef, pork or chicken). From it the child will receive vitamins B12, K and C, selenium, iron, phosphorus, chromium, vitamin PP and many other valuable compounds.
A rabbit. Such a product contains many vitamins and minerals, including beta-carotene, calcium, tin, selenium, vitamin D, cobalt, vitamin K, choline and others. The only downside to this tasty variety is its high cost. In addition, it is found on sale much less often than chicken, pork or beef liver.
Cod. This gourmet food is rich in vitamin A, zinc, iodine, vitamin D and calcium. Its use will help prevent rickets, diseases of the skin and teeth, as well as strengthen bones and protect the baby from infections. Such a liver is very useful for the state of the cardiovascular system.

Separately, we note that goose and duck liver should not be given to children, since such foods are very high in calories and contain a significant amount of saturated fat.

How to introduce into the diet

The first course for the children's menu is a one-component puree. It is given in an amount of no more than half a teaspoon. At the same time, it is advisable to treat the crumbs to the first portion in the morning, so that during the day any adverse effect of the new product can be noted. If no intolerance is found, the portion is gradually increased. The liver is offered 1-2 times a week, replacing the meat dish. By the age of one, the baby can be given up to 60 g per day.

If the crumb has reacted to the liver with any allergy symptoms, the product is canceled. It is also worth postponing the introduction of liver puree if the baby does not want to try such a dish. You should not force the baby to eat it forcibly, so as not to provoke even greater rejection. Better to postpone the tasting for a few weeks and then cook the meal for the child again.

Ready mashed potatoes

Liver is found in the assortment of many baby food manufacturers, for example, beef liver puree is offered under the brands Babushkino Lukoshko, Frutonyanya and Tema, and Semper produces beef liver puree with vegetables for children over 8 months old. When buying such jars, it is important to pay attention to the expiration dates and composition of the puree, trying to choose a product with a minimum of additives. As a rule, the packaging of these products is small (80-100 g), since an open jar can be stored in a refrigerator for no longer than 24 hours.

How to make mashed potatoes

Making liver puree at home with your own hands is quite simple. This requires only fresh liver, a little time and effort. Buy children only a high-quality chilled product (do not take frozen), which has an even color, a shiny surface, and a slightly sweet smell. Don't get liver that has plaque or stains.

After washing the product under running water and removing the films from it, it is recommended to soak the liver for half an hour in water or milk. This will help get rid of the bitterness that is almost always present in her taste.

Next, mashed potatoes are prepared as follows:

Cutting the liver into small pieces, pour the product with cool water and let it boil.
Cooking offal lasts 15-30 minutes (the time depends on the type of liver).
The boiled liver is removed from the water and placed in a blender bowl.
The product is crushed and rubbed twice through a sieve, adding, if necessary (if the puree is too thick), a little water, breast milk or mixture.