Baby Food With Avocado Recipe

Baby Food With Avocado Recipe A healthy meal for your child is necessary to prevent illness and ensure proper growth. This means eating nutritious foods that provide your child with protein, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. You should choose low fat or nonfat milk formula’s as baby food. If you are breastfeeding your infant, you can continue this wonderful experience by providing them breast milk.

Baby Food With Avocado Recipe

Avocados 🥑 are one of my all-time favorite foods for babies!

Whether you are making all of your baby food or have tapped out in life and only want to make one homemade recipe for your baby, avocados would be my first and only recommendation.

Besides being affordable and easy to find, avocados are among the top healthiest foods for babies, if not the number one. You can easily have them blended into a smooth puree, smashed into a chunky puree, sliced into finger food, and cut into pieces with an easy-to-grip handle for baby-led weaning.

So, no matter what style of feeding you are doing with your little one, avocados have got you covered. 👍

Plus, after you are done making your baby an easy avocado meal, you can also slice some for your own snack! And in my opinion, every time avocado is involved in a meal; the day just gets better.

TOP REASONS TO SERVE AVOCADO TO BABY

1. Avocados are beyond healthy for babies – they contain healthy fats that help your baby’s brain grow!
2. They are fast – you can make and serve avocado to your baby in 30 seconds flat!
3. They work for all feeding styles — puree, chunky puree, finger food, or baby-led weaning. How versatile!

BENEFITS OF AVOCADO FOR BABY

Avocados are one of the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet, and I’m not exaggerating!

• Super Nutritious – Avocados are full of 20 different vitamins and minerals, most notably vitamin K, folate, vitamin C, potassium, vitamin E, magnesium, and vitamins B-5 and B-6, along with a good amount of fiber and heart-healthy fats.
• Health Benefits – They improve heart health, support eye, skin, and hair health, fight cancer cell growth, enhance digestive health, boost one’s mood, keep the nervous system healthy, provide healthy fats for brain growth, and are good for gross motor skills.
• Boosts Immunity – Avocados are loaded with antioxidants, anti-inflammation, and antimicrobial properties, which help prevent your baby from getting sick.

INGREDIENTS

• Avocado: you will need half of ripe avocado for these recipes. Because avocados don’t keep well, I recommend making these recipes on-demand so the puree or solid food is fresh and free of any browning.
• Spices or Herbs: you can certainly add in a pinch of spice or herbs to your avocado puree. A pinch of freshly chopped cilantro, chives, parlsey, or mint would be tasty or you could add in a pinch of garlic powder, cumin, paprika, mild chili powder or a squeeze of lemor or lime juice.

Avocado Picking Tip: when shopping for an avocado, you want one that is darker in color and yields to firm gentle pressure. A ripe avocado will feel soft to the touch but not “mushy” when you press on it. You can store unripened avocados in the fridge until you are ready for them. You will want to take them out of the fridge and place them on the counter 1-2 days before you need them.

TOOLS NEEDED

• highchair
• suction bowl or baby bowl
• baby spoon
• open lid cup
• bib with catch pocket
• sleeved bib
• splat mat to cover the floor
• knives
• blender or food processor

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

When can you introduce avocados to baby?

Whether you’re starting your baby on purees or are doing baby-led weaning, avocados are a wholesome and enjoyable first food for your baby! When a baby can start on solids is determined by their own rate of development, which generally comes between 4-6 months of age for purees and or after 6 months for baby-led weaning. Some of the developmental milestones your baby needs to reach in order to start on solids include: if your baby has solid control of their head and neck, if your baby has doubled in weight, and if your baby is reaching for or opening their mouth when you eat (see my guide here). Before you start baby on purees, you should consult with your pediatrician to make sure your child is developmentally ready.

Are avocados a choking hazard for babies?

Avocados are usually soft and easy for babies to chew. However, if an avocado is not ripe and ready to eat, the flesh will be harder and more of a risk to your baby. That said, it is best to serve mashed or small strips of avocado. When selecting an avocado for your baby, look for one that is ripe, soft (but not mushy), and has skin that’s easy to press your finger into. A ripe avocado will typically be darker green in color and have bumpy skin. 

Is avocado a common allergen for baby?

No, avocado is not a common allergen, however, as with any food, start with a small portion and be aware of any signs that might be an allergic reaction after introducing it.

Does avocado cause constipation for babies?

No, avocado is not known to cause constipation in babies, and it can actually help relieve constipation in babies due to the high fiber content that makes it easier on your baby to pass stools.

related

Ultimate Guide on How to Make Homemade Baby Food

FEEDING TIPS

• Follow your baby’s lead – when feeding purees from a spoon, sometimes there’s a tendency to keep offering bites past the point of your baby being full. Always follow baby’s cues for when they are done eating. Turning away from the spoon, closing her mouth, or pushing food away are all signs that baby is finished with the meal.
• Try adding a little seasoning or spice to purees – babies like flavor! Or consider changing the temperature of purees from time to time, to slightly warmed or slightly chilled. Varying these aspects adds to the sensory experience!
• Place a small amount of puree on the tray during spoon feeding – so that your baby can dip their fingers or hands in the puree. Allowing baby to explore foods in this way helps them learn to self-feed and can help them be more willing to try new textures and foods in the future.

HOW TO SERVE AVOCADO TO BABY

There are a variety of ways to prepare avocados for your baby. Here are 4 of my favorite ways:

• Mashed – This is a quick and easy way to make a chunky or smooth puree, ideal for babies 4-6+ months old.
• Sliced with Some Peel Left – When you leave the peel on half of a slice of avocado, you are making a little easy-to-hold handle for your baby. They can hold (or palmar grasp) the peel and then eat the peeled portion. It’s perfect for baby-led weaning (6+ months) or finger foods (9+ months).
• Smooth Puree – When blended with half of a banana, avocado becomes mouthwateringly smooth. This is great for babies 4-6+ months old who love smooth and creamy purees. Plus, it only takes 40 seconds to make.
• Slices Rolled in a Coating – This is another excellent alternative for babies who want to eat with their fingers but need a little help getting a good grip on the avocado slices since avocados can be a little slippery. You can do this option with slices or diced avocados. They’re also ideal for baby-led weaning (6+ months) or finger foods (9+ months).

The 7 Best Avocado Baby Led Weaning Recipes

Avocados have become a bit of a food trend among the health conscious, and who can blame them?! They are delicious and so rich in nutrition too.

I remember those lazy Sunday brunches, before babies, when avocado toast (sourdough of course), perhaps with a poached egg on the side, was the main event of the day! 

We can dream!

However, there’s no reason why you can’t give your baby avocado. There is no need for them to miss out on this delicious goodness and in fact, one of the best first foods you can offer your baby from the start of weaning, is avocado!

In this blog are my top 7 ideas for you on how to serve avocado if you are baby led weaning and of course links to the recipes so you know where to find them on the web.

But first, I wouldn’t be doing my job properly unless I mentioned avocado nutrition…

What’s so good about Avocado?

Avocados are nutritionally unique among fruits because they are lower in sugar and higher in fibre and healthy fats than most other fruits.  They are a super concentrated source of vitamins, minerals, healthy fats and healthy plant chemicals called phytonutrients.  They are a great energy provider and a useful source of both soluble and insoluble fibre promoting gut health.

Here’s just a few of the health benefits for all of us:

Vitamin E – keeps the immune system strong, acts as an antioxidant to protect against disease later in life.

Riboflavin – assists in energy production and the formation of red blood cells.

Vitamin B6 – important for energy metabolism and immune function.

Folate – helps to make healthy red blood cells.

Lutein – important for eye health.

Potassium – important for a healthy heart and helps control where fluid is in the body.

Health benefits specifically for baby (MUFA) 

Babies need more fat in their diets than adults. In fact, 50% of their energy supply needs to come from fat (as opposed to 30% for adults) and avocado contains a lot of fat in comparison to other foods so superbly gives your baby more bang for your buck.

Avocados contain a high amount of oleic acid, which is a type of healthy fat from the monounsaturated fat (omega-9) group. It’s also the main type of fat in breastmilk. Oleic acid is important for the growth and development of the nervous system and the brain.is best known for its role in reducing the risk of heart disease and decreasing inflammation in the body.

The fat content of avocados also helps your baby to absorb the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K and phytonutrients that are eaten as part of that meal more effectively.

As well as monounsaturated fats, avocados also contain some polyunsaturated fats (omega-6) and a little saturated fat too. Overall, it’s a really nutritious food to include in your baby’s diet.

When can Avocado be introduced to my baby?

Wedges of avocado are great from 6 months as they help your baby learn to chew and swallow when their gag reflex is close to the front of the mouth. If you are not following baby led weaning, avocado can be offered as a mash or puree from the beginning of weaning.

How to check an Avocado is ripe

It’s important to make sure that the fruit is ripe before you offer it to your baby. If you squeeze the fruit gently, the flesh should be slightly soft. You can also check if it’s ripe by removing the stem – if it’s green underneath, it’s ripe; if it’s white, it needs a little longer. Pop it in your fruit bowl next to the bananas to help speed up the ripening process.  

The best ways to serve Avocado

Avocado is one of the easiest and quickest vegetables to prepare as there is no need to cook it. Slice the avocado lengthways to make long finger sized pieces and try one of the ideas below to add even more nutrition and to make the avocado easier for your little one to grip.  

For a quick and easy meal just mash it on to buttered wholemeal toast with a fork.

Although this blog is about BLW, I must tell you about the delicious combo of avocado and banana. Just pop half of each into a blender and whizz. It’s divine!

Tips to make Avocado less slippery to hold

Avocado can be quite slippery in babies’ hands. Here are a few ideas of how to help your baby get a better grip:

·      Roll slices of avocado in desiccated coconut, almond flour, oat flour or nutritional yeast.

·      Spread a small amount of nut butter on to a slice of avocado to make it stickier.

·      Leave the skin on the bottom half of the slice to make it easier to grip – be sure to take the skin away before your baby tries to eat it as the skin can be a choking hazard.

It’s always helpful to have a jet wash on hand for afterwards… (joking!)

How much Avocado is OK for my baby? 

An adult portion size is defined as half an avocado but an adults’ nutritional needs are different from babies’. There isn’t really a limit on how much avocado your baby can eat however, if they overindulge, it means they haven’t left room for other foods and variety of foods is really important during weaning. This is because your baby needs a wide range of nutrients. It’s also good for their sensory learning about food.

Easy Avocado Puree

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Learn how to make SO EASY avocado puree for your baby—and the best way to prevent it from browning so you can store leftovers for later.

Avocado Puree

Avocado is a favorite first food for baby since it’s not very likely to be allergenic, has lots of healthy fats, and has a silky texture that’s great for new eaters. I love making avocado puree to share with baby since there’s no cooking involved and it’s so super easy to do with either a blender or a fork!

Ingredients You Need

To make this avocado puree, you’ll just need ripe avocado and a fresh lemon, if you plan to store some for later. So easy!

How to Choose a Perfect Avocado

Look for an avocado that’s firm to the touch but has a little give, which indicates ripeness. A very soft avocado may be too ripe with brown spots by the time you get it home and eat it. So it shouldn’t feel as hard as a rock, but firm with a little softness.

Step by Step Instructions

Here’s a look at the easy process involved in making this homemade baby food.

1. Halve a ripe avocado, remove the pit, and scoop out the flesh.
2. Add to a blender.
3. Blend, adding breastmilk, formula, or water if needed or desired to thin.
4. Serve immediately.

TIP: This is a great puree to share with baby, so if you plan to have some, skip adding breastmilk or formula.

How to Store Avocado Puree for Later

To store in the fridge, place puree into small food storage containers and squeeze fresh lemon juice over top. You’ll want any exposed part of the puree to be in contact with some lemon juice to prevent browning.

To freeze, stir 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice into the mash and spoon into an ice cube tray. Freeze. Transfer frozen cubes into a freezer storage bag for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge in an airtight container. (You can also freeze directly in a freezer bag.)

Tips for Making the Best Avocado Puree

• To do this with a fork, place as much or as little avocado onto a plate. Mash with a fork to reach the desired consistency, thinning with water, breastmilk or formula as desired.
• To store in the fridge, place puree into small food storage containers and squeeze fresh lemon juice over top. You’ll want any exposed part of the puree to be in contact with some lemon juice to prevent browning.
• To freeze, stir 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice into the mash and spoon into an ice cube tray. Freeze. Transfer frozen cubes into a freezer storage bag for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge in an airtight container. (You can also freeze directly in a freezer bag.)
• Leave as a thicker mash for older babies.
• Spread onto toast sticks (about the size of your finger) for BLW-style feeding or offer a preloaded spoon.
• Mix with Banana Puree, Sweet Potato Puree, Pureed Beans, Apple Puree, or any other food you like.
• See more of my favorite baby food combinations here.