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The best first foods

 

The best first foods

 

 
Don’t be tempted to add salt or sugar to your baby’s food however bland. Salt may harm your baby’s kidneys and sugar will encourage a sweet tooth. A baby is not used to these tastes so will not miss them

If you are a working mum and you don’t think you have the time to prepare fresh baby food, think again… Lots of fruits like banana, papaya and peaches, do not require cooking provided they are ripe – simply mash them with a fork to make instant baby food. A banana is very nutritious and makes ideal convenience food for babies as it comes in it’s own sterile package!

 

 

Very first foods should be easy to digest and unlikely to provoke an allergic reaction:--

FIRST FRUITS: Apple, pear, banana papaya and avocado.
Banana and papaya do not require cooking provided they are ripe and can be pureed or mashed on their own or together with a little breast or formula milk. Bananas are not suitable for freezing.

FIRST VEGETABLES: Carrot, potato, swede, parsnip, pumpkin, butternut squash and sweet potato.
I find that root vegetables like carrots, sweet potato, parsnip and swede tend to be the most popular with very young babies due to their naturally sweet flavour and smooth texture once pureed. Butternut squash also makes good baby food in the first few weeks. The best first fruits for young babies are apples, pears, banana and papaya and it’s important that you choose fruits that are ripe and have a good flavour, so it’s a good idea to taste them yourself before giving them to your baby.

BABY RICE
Another good first food is Baby Rice. Mixed with water, breast or formula milk, it’s easily digested and its milky taste makes an easy transition to solids. Choose one that is sugar free and enriched with vitamins and iron. Baby rice combines well with both fruit and vegetable purees.

It may be a good idea to begin with to give your baby a little milk first before his solids as he may be more receptive to this new way of eating if he is not frantically hungry.

Recently the advice was to introduce each new food separately with a space of three days before introducing another food, however unless there is a history of allergy or you are concerned about your baby’s reactions to a certain food, there is no reason why new foods should not be introduced on consecutive days, provided you keep to the list of Best First Foods.

 

 

 

 

 

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What Annabel's up to?

We've got Hamilton back - thanks so much for all your support and kinds words. The sunshine is out, so here are some fabulous barbecue recipes your kids will love and enjoy the Summer with these ice creams and ice lollies, great for soothing sore gums!
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Upcoming Events

Don’t miss Annabel at the following events:-
  • Annabel's Cooking Breaks at Haven - various dates

See Annabel Online

  • Food Expert for Tesco Baby & Toddler Club
  • Food Expert for Mother & Baby Magazine

Take a look at video recipes

Watch interactive online recipes & how to cook videos with Annabel plus real life interviews with Mums. Visit www.annabelkarmel.tv, the exciting online TV channel.
Popular Recipes: Chicken Recipes | Pancakes | Pot Noodle | Paella | Fish Pie | Halloween Cakes | Pasta Recipes | Spaghetti Bolognese | Cheese Sauce | Flapjack recipe | Rice Pudding | Egg Recipe | Christmas cake recipe | Granola | Homemade recipes | Finger Food | Chicken Noodle | Chicken Nuggets | Enchiladas | Bolognese Sauce | Beef Stir Fry
Guides: Breastfeeding | Weaning | Bottle Feeding
Products: Step 2 Play Kitchen
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