How to cook pumpkin in complementary foods. Recipe for making pumpkin puree for feeding infants. How to make preparations: ways to store pumpkins

It has long been used in cooking due to its pleasant taste and many beneficial properties. When can you introduce this fruit to a small child and what can be prepared from pumpkin for babies in their first year of life and older children?

Pumpkin attracts children with its shape and bright color

Benefit

• Pumpkin is rich in various beneficial substances, including vitamin C, iron, vitamin D, calcium, silicon, B vitamins and many other compounds. Thanks to this composition, the inclusion of its fruits in the children's menu has a positive effect on the growth and proper development of the child's body.
• Among all the vitamins, the most valuable in pumpkin is beta-carotene, which is most abundant in brightly colored fruits. Carotene is important for vision and bones, as well as immunity.
• This melon culture contains a lot of pectin, known for its ability to remove harmful substances and toxins from the body.
• The presence of dietary fiber makes pumpkin a valuable product for regulating digestion and preventing constipation. Baked and boiled pumpkin is recommended for high acidity, and juice for bloating.
• Pumpkin decoction and juice with the addition of honey has been noted to have the ability to calm the nervous system, improve memory and sleep, and help with stress and depressive moods.
• Pumpkin has a choleretic effect, so it is recommended for the prevention of liver and biliary tract diseases.
• Since pumpkin fruits are rich in magnesium and potassium, dishes made from them have a diuretic effect, which is important in the presence of kidney disease.
• The low calorie content of pumpkin dishes makes them a good choice for overweight children.

To learn why you should introduce pumpkin into your baby’s complementary foods, watch the video from Humana.

About the beneficial properties of pumpkin seeds

Pumpkin seeds have a mild laxative, anti-inflammatory and anthelmintic effect. Their regular consumption improves digestive function and eliminates constipation. This product is rich in natural healthy fats, vitamins D, K, A, E, as well as many microelements, among which iron and zinc are especially prominent.

It is important to note that seeds are useful only in raw or dried form. If you fry them, most of the beneficial properties will be lost. In addition, you should know that pumpkin seeds are not recommended for children under 3 years of age.

Pumpkin seeds have an anthelmintic effect

Harm and contraindications

• Eating pumpkin dishes too often can cause “carotene” jaundice.
• Pumpkin complementary foods should not be given if you have an individual intolerance to the product.
• Pumpkin is contraindicated for diabetes and hepatitis.
• Cooking pumpkin for children with exacerbations of diseases of the stomach and small intestine is also not recommended.

Not all babies can eat pumpkin

Do you have allergies?

Pumpkin is one of the foods that can cause an allergic reaction because it contains a lot of carotene. For this reason, the introduction of pumpkin dishes into children's diets is carried out gradually and very carefully.

How to make puree?

Many kids like pumpkin puree because it has a pleasant sweetish taste. You can prepare it in different ways from both fresh and frozen pumpkin. Let's look at each of them in more detail.

Many kids like pumpkin puree.

How much and how to cook pumpkin?

After filling the peeled pumpkin with water, put the saucepan on the fire, let it boil, close the lid and simmer over low heat for 20 to 25 minutes. You will know the pumpkin is ready when it is tender. After draining the water, press the cooked slices through a sieve to make sure there are no fibers. If necessary, add milk to make the consistency more liquid (for children under one year old - mother’s milk or formula).

In a slow cooker

Take 350 g of pumpkin, separate the peel, fibers and seeds from the pulp, then cut into small cubes. Add 200 ml of water to the vegetable (you can also add a little sugar), place it in the slow cooker and turn it on to the “stew” mode. After 40 minutes, remove the pumpkin, transfer it to a blender and blend until smooth.

Pumpkin grown in your own garden is best for feeding your baby.

In a steamer

After cutting a small piece from the pumpkin, remove the skin and cut the vegetable into cubes. Place them in a steamer basket, place them in the appliance and cook until softened (20 minutes is usually enough). Beat the finished pieces in a blender if your baby has just started trying pumpkin, or mash them with a fork for babies who are learning to chew. After cooling the puree to a warm state, you can offer it to your child.

In the oven

Place the peeled and diced pumpkin in a thick-walled container and add 1/2 cup of water. Bake in the oven for about 15 minutes until the dish is tender. Next, the pumpkin can be passed through a sieve or mashed with a fork, depending on the consistency that your child likes.

When baking the pumpkin, sprinkle with sesame seeds if they have already been introduced into the child’s diet.

How to introduce it into complementary foods?

Pumpkin can be introduced into a baby’s diet after the baby has tried zucchini, broccoli or other vegetables. Typically, these vegetable complementary feeding products are introduced from 6 months of age, although it is permissible for bottle-fed babies to include pumpkin puree in the menu a little earlier (from 4.5-5 months).

The first portion of pumpkin that a child under one year old will be introduced to should contain no more than half a teaspoon (or better yet, only a quarter spoon). The puree for this first test must be homogeneous, so breast milk or formula is often used to dilute it.

Give pumpkin to your baby for the first time in the morning feeding, and then carefully watch your baby until the evening. Once you are sure that no problems have arisen after such a meal, you can increase the portion to the recommended age limit for vegetable dishes.

Calculate your complementary feeding table

Recipes for children over 1 year old

Take one sweet and sour apple and a slice of pumpkin so that there is equal quantity of each component. After cutting the pumpkin into small pieces, pour boiling water over it and boil until tender. Next, add the diced apple to the boiled pumpkin, boil for another 5-10 minutes and rub the mixture through a sieve. You can add honey to the finished puree.

Pumpkin and applesauce will be even healthier if you cook the products in a double boiler

Pumpkin salad

You will need to take equal amounts of apple, pumpkin and melon. Cut the melon and apple into cubes, and grate the pumpkin. Mix the ingredients, add honey and lemon juice.

Pumpkin with meat

Boil a piece of pumpkin, carrots and celery until tender (take half as much pumpkin for carrots, and three times as much celery). Puree the vegetables. At the same time, boil the turkey or chicken, disassemble into fibers or finely chop. Mix the meat with vegetables or place separately depending on your baby’s preferences. Sprinkle some herbs on top if your child likes them.

Pumpkin pancakes

Grate 150 g of pumpkin and pour in half a glass of cream. Simmer for about 10 minutes over low heat and while still hot, add a tablespoon of semolina, a little sugar and one egg to the pumpkin mixture. Next, cook as you would regular pancakes. Serve with sour cream.

Pass the washed and chopped vegetables through a juicer and dilute with water. Give your child this juice up to 2 times a week. It is important that the juice is squeezed out immediately before drinking.

Pumpkin juice can be mixed with apple, carrot or pear nectar

How to make soup?

Take the following ingredients for pumpkin soup:

• 150 g pumpkin
• 1/2 carrot
• 1 potato
• 500 ml water

Washed vegetables need to be peeled. Next, potatoes and pumpkin are cut into cubes, and carrots are finely grated. After cooking the vegetables for 30 minutes in boiling water, the dish is smoothed using a blender. Finally, add salt and a little vegetable oil to the soup.

Another simple way to prepare pumpkin puree soup is to use a slow cooker:

• Peel 300 g of ripe pumpkin, remembering to remove the seeds. Cut the pulp into medium cubes.
• Also peel two onions, four potatoes and one carrot. Cut the onion into half rings, carrots into strips, and potatoes into small cubes.
• Turn on the multicooker to the “baking” mode. Heat a little vegetable oil in a bowl, then add the vegetables and fry for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Next, switch to the “stew” mode and leave the dish to cook for one hour.
• Remove the vegetables from the appliance, add salt and chop with a blender.
• Add 400 g of cream with 20% fat, mix well and pour the puree back into the multicooker.
• Selecting the “soup” mode, bring to a boil. In bowls, the soup can be decorated with herbs, croutons, and butter.

Many adults will also appreciate pumpkin soup.

Porridge with pumpkin

Millet

To prepare millet porridge, grate 100 g of peeled and seeded pumpkin. Boil a glass of milk, pour a tablespoon of millet into it and cook with constant stirring for 10 minutes, then add the grated pumpkin. Continue cooking until thickened, let the porridge cool slightly, and season with honey and butter before serving.

Manna

Cut 300 g of pumpkin, peeled and seeded, into cubes. Put it in a saucepan, pour 340 ml of milk into it, bring to a boil and cook until soft. Dissolve two tablespoons of semolina in half a glass of water. While continuously stirring the pumpkin boiling in milk, slowly pour the semolina into the saucepan. Salt and add sugar to taste. Cook until the porridge becomes thick enough. At the end of cooking, you can add chopped dried fruits, such as raisins and prunes.

Rice

Peel and cut 150 g of pumpkin into pieces, pour a glass of boiling water, add a teaspoon of sugar and cook under a closed lid for 15 minutes. Add 50 g of rice cereal and half a glass of milk to the pumpkin. Continue cooking for about 20 minutes, stirring the porridge occasionally. Turn off the heat, add salt and 15 g of butter to the dish.

Porridge with pumpkin is a very healthy and nutritious dish

• Choose a medium-sized pumpkin, since very large fruits are either excessively dry or, on the contrary, watery.
• Take a good look at your pumpkin when purchasing. Do not take fruits with scratches, damage, or areas of rotting. The pumpkin skin should be very dense and not be pressed through with a fingernail.
• When purchasing cut pumpkin, choose a fruit with a rich yellow or orange color. The brighter the pumpkin you buy, the more carotene it contains.
• If you purchase a whole pumpkin and cut it at home, do not store it for a long time afterwards. The best option is to either buy a small piece of pumpkin that you can use immediately in your cooking, or freeze the chopped pumpkin flesh for future cooking.
• A whole pumpkin should not be kept in direct sunlight or in a very cold place, as this will cause it to rot. It is better to place the whole fruit in a ventilated place with a temperature of +10+15.

Teach your baby to this healthy vegetable from the first years of life.

When the first complementary foods are introduced, the baby has become familiar with several vegetables; a vegetable such as pumpkin can already be introduced into the menu. Pumpkin puree for babies has a lot of useful substances, vitamins and minerals.

Useful properties of pumpkin

Pumpkin contains magnesium, potassium, calcium, copper, phosphorus, silicon, iron, beta carotene. Among the vitamins, there are vitamins of group B, A, C, PP. Thanks to these substances, the correct development of the child’s body and its growth are ensured. Microelements have a good effect on strengthening bones and immunity, and on the development of the nervous system. Due to the high content of beta carotene, the baby's vision develops well. Pumpkin contains large quantities of water and fiber.

However, pediatricians do not recommend starting complementary feeding with this particular vegetable, since if the baby is prone to allergic reactions, you will soon notice reddened cheeks, tummy and buttocks. Start complementary feeding with a safer product, such as zucchini.

Which vegetable is right?

To prepare a pumpkin dish for babies, you need a young, small-sized pumpkin. It is these fruits that contain less fiber, they are more juicy and sweet. It is easier to remove the skin from such a vegetable. If the peel is difficult to remove, you can peel it after heat treatment. Seeds should always be removed.

When buying vegetables for your child, take a nitrate meter with you. Thanks to this small device, you will choose the safest fruit.

How to cook pumpkin correctly?

It is best to prepare pumpkin puree yourself rather than buy it ready-made in jars. The main thing is to heat the vegetable and chop it using a blender (you can also use a regular fork).

The pumpkin pulp is baked in a microwave or oven, boiled in a pan or steamed. Of all the heat treatment methods, the most preferable is steaming. This way you will preserve as much as possible all the microelements that are beneficial for your baby.

Pumpkin should be introduced after the baby has already tried zucchini, broccoli, cauliflower or apple. It is not recommended to offer pumpkin puree to a baby until he is six months old.

The most convenient way to puree this vegetable is to use a blender. But experts advise grinding the finished pumpkin using a strainer. When purees are made with a blender, fibers may remain that will be unpleasant to the baby.

You can add carrots, green apples, potatoes or bananas to your pumpkin puree. Some mothers add sugar and salt to the puree. Pediatricians do not recommend the use of spices in the diet of children. It is better to put sweet fruits or natural fructose in the finished dish instead of sugar.

Pumpkin puree recipes

Pumpkin puree is very easy to prepare, especially for babies under one year old.

Recipe No. 1

You will need:

• Pumpkin

Peel the fruit, cut into pieces and add water. Simmer in a saucepan over low heat for about 20 minutes or bake in the oven. When the pumpkin is soft, it can be removed. Drain the water. Using a fine strainer, rub the vegetable pieces well. Pureed pumpkin can be mixed with formula or breast milk.

Based on our step-by-step photo recipe, you can easily prepare puree for your baby.

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Recipe No. 2

You will need:

• Pumpkin pulp
• Chopped dill (sprigs)
• Mother's milk or formula

The pulp is boiled in a saucepan or double boiler. Can be baked in the oven. Then grind both the pumpkin and the dill sprig in a blender. The consistency should be uniform. To prevent the puree from being thick, dilute it with milk or mixture. If desired, you can use boiled water or vegetable broth for this.

Dill included in the puree helps strengthen the digestive system.

Recipe No. 3

You will need:

• 150 g pumpkin pulp
• A glass of milk
• 100 g zucchini
• 10 g butter

Remove seeds and skins from the vegetable pulp. Pour in milk and cook over low heat. Simmer for half an hour until the zucchini and pumpkin become soft. Grind the cooked vegetables in a blender, add butter or olive oil.

It is advisable to use pumpkin puree in complementary foods, but not as the first dish that a child will be introduced to. Due to its bright orange color, pumpkin can cause allergies.

A baby's diet should include pumpkin, as it contains many essential nutrients for the baby's body. Your baby will definitely like the dish if you choose the right fruit and follow all the rules for preparing puree.

Pumpkin is a tasty and easy to prepare product. Due to its many beneficial properties, it is an ideal complementary food for infants. Pediatricians recommend introducing puree from this vegetable into the diet for up to a year.

It’s not for nothing that pumpkin is one of the first to be introduced into complementary foods. Due to its high water content, as well as a complex of vitamins and minerals, it has a positive effect on the growing body:

When should you give up pumpkin?

Individual reaction to pumpkin: how allergenic is the vegetable?

Despite the undoubted benefits of pumpkin for the body, it should be remembered that excessive consumption of this product can cause intestinal upset and lead to “carotene jaundice.” It manifests itself in yellowing of the palms and sclera of the eyes of the feet.

Industrial production or home preparation

You don't have to make your own pumpkin puree. It is sold in the children's section of any supermarket. But is it possible to be completely confident in the quality of the finished product? Besides, food made with love by mom always tastes better.

When preparing pumpkin at home, it is important to choose the right fruit. This will help knowing simple rules:

By choosing and preparing the pumpkin yourself, mom can be sure that she will feed her baby a healthy diet.

Rules for introducing a new product at an early age

Doctors say that early exposure to adult food can negatively affect the health of the baby, namely, cause allergic dermatitis. Parents should remember that any change in diet is stressful for the baby, so complementary feeding begins with small portions. Pumpkin puree is introduced into the diet with half a teaspoon, and the juice with a few drops, after which it is supplemented with breast milk or formula. If no negative reactions to the product are observed, the next day the portion is doubled and gradually brought to the age norm.

At what age can you start giving pumpkin to your baby?

You should introduce the baby to pumpkin after the baby tries zucchini, cauliflower, and broccoli. These are vegetables with a low allergenicity index. In addition, the baby is unlikely to want to eat them after sweet pumpkin.

How often to give a vegetable

After the baby gets used to the new product, it can be given in the form of a one-component puree (without adding other vegetables or fruits). Don’t get carried away and feed your child pumpkin every day - 2 times a week is enough. No more than 1 teaspoon as an additive to porridge or other dishes can be given every day.

Basic recommendations for introducing foods into a child’s diet

These rules apply not only to pumpkin, but also to other dishes that the child tries as complementary foods:

At least two weeks should pass between introducing new foods into the diet.

Video: Doctor Komarovsky about the beginning of complementary feeding

Is it possible to introduce raw pumpkin into complementary foods?

Raw pumpkin contains a large amount of useful substances, some of which are lost during heat treatment. But still, you should not give the product to your baby in this form. The fact is that eating raw vegetables and juice from them can cause intestinal upset, bloating and nausea. In addition, pumpkin pulp is quite hard, and the baby will not be able to chew it.

Raw pumpkin is given to a child only after three years.

Pumpkin puree for babies: how to prepare it correctly

Pumpkin goes well with many foods. You can prepare it in any way: boil, stew, bake. It is better to start giving pumpkin in the form of puree.

How long does it take to cook a vegetable?

The heat treatment time depends on the size of the pieces and the cooking method. Readiness is checked with a knife or fork - they should easily enter the pulp.

Table: how long to cook, stew and bake pumpkin

Mashed potatoes for first feeding (basic recipe)

Now almost every kitchen has modern household appliances (blenders, food processors), and parents often use them to grind baby food. However, to prepare the first complementary foods, it is better to remember the “grandmother’s method” and grind the pumpkin through a sieve. After grinding with a blender, coarse fibers remain in the ground mass, which can cause a gag reflex in a baby.

Preparation:

After introducing vegetable oil into the diet, you can add it to purees (2-3 drops). In combination with this product, beta-carotene from pumpkin is absorbed better.

At the beginning of complementary feeding, the puree is diluted with breast milk or formula. This is done so that the mass does not turn out too thick.

Children's food recipes

As new products appear in the diet, pumpkin dishes become more varied.

With yolk

Preparation:

With dill

Pumpkin puree with dill helps normalize digestion, relieves bloating and colic.

Preparation:

With apple or pear

Preparation:

With dried apricots

Eating dried apricots helps increase hemoglobin, normalizes the immune system, and improves the functioning of the heart and digestive tract. The baby is introduced to this product no earlier than 10–11 months. As a rule, allergies to it do not occur if you do not exceed the recommended amount of the product (up to 50 grams per day).

To ensure that dried fruits soften well, they are soaked in cold water at least 12 hours before cooking. It's better to do this at night.

Preparation:

Giving pumpkin puree with dried apricots more than 2 times a week is not recommended, as this can lead to severe loosening of the stool.

With meat

Preparation:

With rice

Nutritionists advise starting complementary feeding with rice porridge. It does not injure the delicate gastric mucosa and quickly restores energy. In addition, this cereal does not contain gluten (gluten), so it is considered hypoallergenic.

Preparation:

With zucchini

Preparation:

Milk pumpkin soup

Preparation:

Baked pumpkin

Preparation:

Semolina porridge with pumpkin

Preparation:

With potato

A small amount of pumpkin puree can be added to potato puree.

Photo gallery: products with which you can combine pumpkin

Egg yolk is suitable for complementary feeding starting from 8 months. From 11 months, the child’s diet can be enriched with greens. Pears and apples are usually introduced into complementary feeding after 7 months

Dried fruits, including dried apricots, are introduced into the diet after 1.5 years. From the age of 9 months, a child can begin to be introduced to poultry meat. Rice is a hypoallergenic grain, therefore one of the first to be introduced into the diet
According to nutritionists, it is better to introduce semolina after 1 year
Baby can try potatoes starting from 6 months

Video: pumpkin in a slow cooker

How to make preparations: ways to store pumpkins

The whole fruit can be stored well in a dry place for several months. Cut pumpkin withers quickly. In this form, it can only be left in the refrigerator and for no longer than 7 days.

How to freeze a vegetable

Portions for infants are small, so making pumpkin puree for just one serving is quite difficult. Leftovers can be portioned, placed in ice cube trays and frozen. The beneficial and taste qualities of the product will not change. In the future, you will only need to remove the puree from the freezer and add it to other ingredients or simply heat it for 2-3 minutes.

You can also freeze raw fruit. To do this, you need to peel the pulp, cut it into small pieces, place them on a cutting board and place in the freezer for 45–60 minutes. When the pumpkin is frozen, divide it into portioned bags and remove it as needed. The process of preparing dishes from pumpkin frozen raw is no different from the usual process.

Canning

Pumpkin puree can be preserved in jars. To do this you need:

Pumpkin is a multi-component vegetable that has a good effect on the child’s body. However, it should be introduced into the diet gradually in small portions.

Rules for introducing a new product:

1. Feeding with pumpkin dishes should take place in the morning. This will allow you to monitor the child’s condition and his body’s reaction to the new product throughout the day.
2. For the first time, it is not recommended to combine pumpkin with other products.
3. After taking pumpkin puree, the next main feeding should be 2 hours later.
4. Pumpkin is introduced gradually. That is, for the first time the pumpkin content can be 50 grams, gradually increasing to 150 grams.
5. For children without teeth, the pumpkin should be crushed with a blender or rubbed through a sieve.

If a pumpkin dish suits your child, then after 2-3 weeks it can replace one feeding.

How to understand that a pumpkin is not suitable for your baby?

Despite the fact that pumpkin is a very healthy product, due to its high content of Beta Carotene, in some cases it can cause an allergic reaction.

After introducing crumbs of pumpkin dishes into the diet, you should carefully monitor the child’s behavior. If this product is not suitable for the child, symptoms may appear within 5-6 hours:

• Redness on the skin, itching, rashes;
• Congestion of the nasal passages, sometimes a cough appears;
• Body temperature may increase;
• Stool disorder;
• The child becomes capricious and restless.

If at least one of these symptoms is detected, then pumpkin should be immediately excluded from the diet. Everything should pass within a short time. However, if the mother notes that the product is excluded, and the side effects do not go away, then it is necessary to visit a doctor. In this case, antihistamine therapy is prescribed and the diet remains the same.

For children prone to allergies, it is recommended to introduce pumpkin at 10-11 months. It is believed that by this age the child’s body is stronger and can already digest this product well.

All children's bodies are different and their perception of new products is individual. Pumpkin is one of the leaders in the content of nutrients, but it is not recommended for some children:

1. Tendency to allergies.
2. Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
3. Diabetes.

How often can you serve pumpkin dishes?

Many parents believe that if a product is useful, then it should be given to their child as often as possible. However, this is completely wrong. And such concern can lead to unpleasant consequences. Dishes containing pumpkin should be present in the baby’s diet no more than 2 times a week. This is enough for the normal development of the baby.

If the child suffers from regular constipation, then pumpkin purees can be increased to 3-4 times a week. The fiber content in this vegetable allows you to normalize your baby's stool.

How to choose the right vegetable?

Pumpkin is a fall vegetable. It can be round or oblong, green or orange.

The most ideal option would be a pumpkin from your own plot. However, if you decide to purchase it in a store or market, you should remember the following recommendations:

• The fruits must have a natural color. For the first, you should give preference to green vegetables;
• The pumpkin should not have cracks or dents. This vegetable is not suitable for preparing baby food;
• The pumpkin tail should be dry. This indicates its natural maturation.

You should not buy cut pumpkin. If stored improperly, pathogenic bacteria can develop, which will only cause harm.

Pumpkin storage

Store whole pumpkin in a cool, dry place, out of direct sunlight. If the integrity of the fruit is compromised, it must be hermetically wrapped in cling film and stored in a cool place.

This vegetable can also be cut into desired portions and stored in the freezer. Before cooking, the product is defrosted and ready for heat treatment.

What to prepare from pumpkin for the first feeding?

Pumpkin puree recipe:

In a clean saucepan, boil 100 grams of pumpkin for 23-30 minutes. Drain off all excess water and rub the finished product through a sieve. It should be remembered that the puree should be of a uniform consistency, free of lumps and fibers.

To ensure that the vegetable does not lose its valuable vitamins and microelements, the pumpkin must be thrown into boiling water. This will allow you to preserve the beneficial substances of this product as much as possible.

If the baby likes pumpkin and the body reacts positively, then the mother can not limit herself to just puree, but delight the baby with interesting pumpkin dishes.

Several simple and healthy recipes from autumn vegetables A

Pumpkin is a versatile product that can be used to prepare first courses, casseroles and desserts. Which can be present in the diet of every baby.

Cream soup with dill and cream

To do this, take 250 grams of peeled pumpkin and the same amount of water. Boil in a saucepan for 25 minutes. Drain the liquid and add 15 grams of fresh dill and 50 milliliters of low-fat cream. Combine all ingredients and place on low heat for another 5 minutes. Then we grind it on a sieve, and the dish is ready to eat.

Vegetable soup

To prepare this soup you will need: 0.5 l. water, 1 potato, 50 grams of carrots, 50 grams of zucchini, 150 grams of pumpkin. Cut the vegetables into equal pieces and cook for 30-35 minutes over low heat. Everything is ground together with the liquid. For older children, you can mash the dish a little with a fork so that he learns to chew food on his own.

Baked pancakes with pumpkin and cottage cheese

Grind 100 grams of cottage cheese through a sieve.

Grate 150 grams of pumpkin. Mix everything and add 1 protein.

Grease the prepared baking sheet with olive oil. We form pancakes on it with a spoon at a distance of 5 centimeters. Bake in a preheated oven to 180 C° for 30 minutes. This dish is perfect for children from 10 months.

Pumpkin and apple puree

Pumpkin and apples are taken in equal proportions. Cut into small pieces and place in a saucepan. Pour some water into the bottom and simmer for 20-25 minutes. Afterwards we grind everything on a sieve or blender.

Baked pumpkin

The pumpkin is cut into small pieces and placed on a baking sheet greased with olive oil. At a temperature of 180 C°, bake for 25-30 minutes.

A variety of pumpkin recipes will allow mothers to constantly surprise their little gourmets, while the dishes will remain as healthy and tasty as possible.

It should be remembered that this product can be given to the baby no more than 2 times a week, so as not to provoke allergic reactions.

What is the recipe for pumpkin puree for babies? Your pediatrician will tell you about this. The birth of a baby radically changes the life of parents, especially the life of the mother. And this is natural, because from the birth of a baby a woman has only one concern: her baby. And every woman knows that breast milk is indispensable for the health of the child. However, an infant grows quickly, and the developing body increasingly needs vitamins and microelements. And here the mother faces the question of adding complementary foods to her diet. How to make pumpkin puree for babies?

Entering a dish into the order

How to introduce complementary foods to a baby? The transition from breastfeeding to complementary feeding always brings fear to mothers. After all, the health of the child is always in the first place for the mother, and the dangers of additional nutrition are now spoken about quite often.

How to introduce complementary foods? The child’s body begins to develop and it is vitally important for him to choose the right complementary foods rich in vitamins. Since from 4-6 months the child needs additional nutrition, because from this age the child’s body can no longer be satisfied with mother’s milk.

That is why you need to study the recipe for pumpkin puree, which is an excellent complementary food for infants.

Why does a child need a pumpkin? Probably everyone knows that pumpkin is one of the healthiest vegetables. Pumpkin contains a lot of different beneficial vitamins B, A, C, PP. And the microelements that the vegetable is rich in help the growth and development of the child’s body. Beta-carotene, which this vegetable also abounds in, helps ensure that the baby’s vision is good.

How to make pumpkin puree for babies? Studies have shown that those children who consumed pumpkin were less likely than others to wear glasses. Pumpkin contains a lot of useful fiber, iron, phosphorus, potassium, water and other substances, and they, in turn, are necessary for the human body.

It is because of these properties that it is recommended to introduce pumpkin puree into the baby’s diet as complementary food from 4-6 months. However, it is not only the choice of product that is important, but also the correct preparation technique. Many mothers wonder how to properly cook pumpkin for babies. How long should you cook it for complementary feeding?

When is the best time to introduce pumpkin puree into complementary foods? Like all other complementary foods, it is best to start introducing pumpkin puree in small quantities, with 1/2 or even 1/4 tsp. The time to include pumpkin puree in the baby’s diet is chosen by the mother. Although it is best to start at 6 months. It is usually advised to start introducing pumpkin after the child has already tried broccoli and apples.

Despite the fact that today you can find an abundance of all kinds of ready-made mixtures, it is still important and best to prepare the mixture for babies at home with your own hands. And this applies to all mixtures. Since ready-made formulas contain dyes, preservatives and other additives that are harmful to the baby’s health, not many products will be truly beneficial for the baby.

Cooking process

How to cook pumpkin for a child? When preparing puree, the main thing is to cook the pumpkin correctly. For a child, it is best to choose young, small fruits. It is important that they are of a sweet variety, since experts do not recommend adding sugar or honey there, especially when the child is just trying the dish.

How to cook pumpkin for a 6 month old baby? For 200 g of pumpkin you need 0.5 cups of water. For cooking, you can use either an oven, a microwave, or a pan. Although it is best to cook it steamed. After all, when cooking in a double boiler, more beneficial vitamins are retained.

You need to peel the pumpkin and remove the seeds (a simple spoon will help you to remove the seeds). After cleaning, wash the vegetable with cold water and cut into small pieces. Pumpkin should be cooked over low heat. A common question among mothers, especially young ones, is when to cook pumpkin. But there is no specific answer here, since each variety takes a different time to prepare.

That is why an indicator of readiness can be the fact that each cooked piece has become soft. How long to cook pumpkin for complementary feeding? Typically it should cook for about 20-25 minutes, although cooking may take longer. After the pumpkin is cooked, you can put the boiled vegetable in a blender or chop it with a fork. You can also add breast milk to the finished puree.

Pumpkin puree for babies is not only tasty, but also healthy complementary food for the baby. This is a fact and no one argues with it. However, the baby may not like a monotonous diet. After all, an adult cannot eat the same thing all the time. And over time this becomes a problem.

The solution to this problem is to add fruits, such as apples, to the pumpkin puree. After the mother has already made sure that the baby is not allergic to pumpkin, she can safely diversify the diet.

Combination with apples

How to make pumpkin and apple puree for babies: the recipe is very simple. All you need is:

1. 1. A slice of pumpkin (young, of course),
2. 2. 1 apple (preferably green),
3. 3. A piece of butter (if the baby is over 6 months old),
4. 4. A spoonful of sugar or honey (if your child is used to sweet additives).

You need to peel and core both the pumpkin and the apple, and after you have washed them thoroughly, you can cook them in small pieces over low heat.

First you need to cook the pumpkin, after 10 minutes add apples to the pan. After the pieces of pumpkin and apples have become soft, drain the water and add honey and butter. Turn the mixture into puree using a blender. For apple pumpkin puree, you need to choose green apples. The fact is that green apples are not allergenic and, as research has proven, they contain the most vitamin C.

The most important thing for young mothers is to remember that every complementary feeding is a serious step. And when switching to it, it is important to carefully ensure that the child does not have side effects or allergic reactions. You should always start with small portions and gradually increase them. It is also important to monitor the baby’s digestion. If something is wrong, you should immediately stop feeding and consult a specialist.

If your child likes pumpkin puree, you can try giving him not only boiled pumpkin, but also freshly squeezed pumpkin juice. This juice contains a lot of amino acids and vitamins. In addition, pumpkin juice can be a real salvation for children who suffer from frequent constipation or gas.

However, it is important to remember that you should not overuse pumpkin puree, as it can cause carotene jaundice in children. 5 to 7 times a month will be enough.

Is it possible to add sugar to baby purees? Mothers of infants often ask this question. This is a purely personal matter, and each parent decides for himself whether to add sugar or not. However, pediatricians do not recommend using sugar in children's cereals. Also controversial is whether salt can be added to baby formula. And here again the decision depends on the mothers. But salt in small quantities will not harm the child.

However, a sense of proportion is necessary. Parents are responsible for their children and for providing them with a healthy life. That is why you should not be lazy and choose the easy way to feed your baby. Remember: the puree you personally prepared is the best start to a healthy diet and healthy lifestyle for your baby.