Infant food
The mother begins to introduce certain foods into her baby’s diet when he reaches the sixth month, including: rice, carrots, squash, potatoes, apples and bananas, paying attention to the amount provided to the baby and monitoring any sensitivity to any type of food.
Apple is one of the favorite fruits for adults and children, and China, the United States and Iran are the most productive countries, respectively. The apple uses a variety of food, it is eaten as it is fruit, and is used in the preparation of various juices, as well as in the preparation of sweets, such as: apple pei or apple pie, one of the favorite foods for babies; because of its tasty taste.
The average apple with its peel contains 95 calories, 0.31 grams of fat, 25.13 grams of carbohydrates, 4.4 grams of fiber, 18.91 grams of sugar and 0.47 grams of protein. In this article we will show the benefits of apples for babies, then the way they are prepared, and some general advice before introducing foods to babies.
Benefits of apples for babies
- It regulates bowel movement because it is rich in water-soluble pectin fibers.
- It protects against constipation and regulates bowel function because it is rich in water-soluble fiber.
- Easy to prepare.
- Easy to digest.
- Rich in important nutrients.
- It can be added to various baby foods, can be mixed with cereals, or added to milk.
How to prepare apples for babies
- We choose the fruit of hard apples, then wash them well with water mixed with vinegar to kill the bacteria that may exist, then peel them.
- We cut them, and we remove the seeds from them.
- Put the apples in a small bowl, then put them on the fire, and let it boil.
- Transfer the apples to a bowl of water, leave them for 10 minutes, or until soft.
- Brush the apples with the fork, with the possibility of adding a little water or milk to it; to facilitate the process of mashing.
- We offer two spoons for the baby.
Tips before catering for babies
- Start by providing rice to your child before serving any other foods; for ease of digestion, and close proximity to the milk in terms of taste; which will make your child love, and provide to eat.
- Give him small amounts of food, wait until he swallows it completely, then give him another small amount, and so on.
- Let it eat on your knees in the first few times to feed it, with its head and shoulders resting on your arm to make sure it sits comfortably and that the swallowing process is done properly.
- Make sure the food temperature is close to room temperature or slightly warm.
- Give your child various foods to get used to, and avoid boredom, such as fruits and boiled vegetables.
- Rinse the food well, by adding a little water or milk to it; to facilitate swallowing.
- Get rid of the leftovers of your child’s meal, and do not keep them.
- Give it time to accept and eat new food.
- Start by feeding small amounts along with the milk meal, by a tablespoon of food or two tablespoons, then gradually increase the amount.