Juices and shakes for 6-12 months old baby

Things to remember

Breastmilk or formula milk will meet your baby’s needs for the first six months of her life. And you do not need to offer fruit and vegetable juice after that, either, though you certainly can if you want to. If so, give it to your baby in a beaker or cup at mealtimes only — not in a bottle or before bedtime. When you do give your baby fruit and vegetable juices, dilute them using at least one part to 10 parts of boiled cooled water. A maximum daily intake of 120ml / four ounces would be plenty.

Highly sweetened squashes and cordials are not recommended for babies or very young toddlers due to their high sugar and/or sweetener content, and their possible contribution to tooth decay. They are also of little nutritional value. Milk (in the form of breastmilk or formula milk) or water should, if possible, account for most of what your baby drinks during his first year.

Here are some healthy options you can offer your baby. Do not give juices if your baby has an upset tummy.

Coconut water

Coconut water is near to the perfect meal as it contains all the minerals like potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, iron, copper, phosphorus and vitamins B complex and C.
Start with 2-3 teaspoons and slowly increase the quantity. Make sure you use a tender green coconut, avoid those in which the skin has turned brown.

Carrot Juice

Carrots are rich source of Vitamin A, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, sodium and iron.
Put chopped carrots in a juicer. Strain the juice through a sieve. Dilute 1 part juice with 10 parts water.
You could also add the juice of half an apple or beetroot.

Grape Juice

Grapes are rich source of flavonoids, antioxidants and vitamins.Crush a handful of grapes in a juicer or a blender along with a little water (boiled and cooled). Dilute 1 part juice with10 parts water Strain through a sieve and serve in a cup. Don’t add any sugar to the juice as grapes juice is already sweetened.

Stewed Apple Punch

Rich source of vitamin A, calcium, folate, magnesium, phosphorus

1 cup chopped apples
1 cup water

Boil the chopped apples in water for about two minutes. Strain through a sieve. Serve cooled in summer or lukewarm in winter.
You can also add carrots to this recipe to get a delicious Carrot/Apple Punch.

Muskmelon Juice

Rich in vitamin A, Vitamin C, Calcium

Put 1/2 cup chopped (deseeded) muskmelon in a blender or juicer. Strain through a sieve.
Start with a small quantity of this juice. Serve immediately.

Watermelon Juice

Rich in vitamin A, Vitamin C, Calcium

Put 1/2 cup chopped (deseeded) watermelon in a blender or juicer. Strain through a sieve.
Start with a small quantity of this juice. Serve immediately.

Note: Check with your doctor before giving this juice as it may not suit some children with a delicate digestive system. Start at about 1 year.

 Milkshakes

Once your doctor allows you to give full cream milk, you have a host of other options to offer.

 Milkshakes provide all the goodness of milk and fruits in one serving. Milk is rich in calcium. Fruits are rich in vitamins A and C, phosphorus, folic acid, iron, flavonoids, antioxidants and fibre.

1/2 cup chopped fruit of your choice
1 cup milk

Chop the peeled/washed/deseeded fruit and blend together with milk. You can easily make milkshakes with fruits like banana, apples, mango, cheeku (sapotas) and strawberry. If you want a more free flowing shake, add more milk. If you want, it thicker put less milk. Do not add any sugar — the fruits have enough flavour and natural sugar. Do not add ice either.

Fruit Lassi

Yogurt/curd is rich in calcium.
Fruits are rich in vitamins A and C, phosphorus, folic acid, iron, flavonoids, antioxidants and fibre.

1/2 cup chopped fruit of your choice
1 cup yogurt/curd

Chop the peeled/washed/deseeded fruit and blend together with curd. You can add fruits like banana, apples, mango, cheeku (sapotas) and strawberry. If you want a more free flowing lassi add 1/4 cup water (boiled and cooled).Do not add any sugar — the fruits have enough flavour and natural sugar.
Badaam (almond) Milk

Good source of calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, folate

4 almonds soaked overnight
1 cup milk

Many grandmothers make sure toddlers are given a daily glass of almond milk. Traditionally it’s been given to children in the hope of increasing “brain” power. Soak almonds overnight and peel. Put in a blender or liquidiser with a cup of milk. Make sure the almonds are completely ground. Serve immediately.

Note:Serve when the baby is atleast a year old.
Smoothies

Banana Smoothie

Rich source of phosphorus, calcium, folate, magnesium

1 Banana chopped
1/4 cup curd/yogurt
1/4 cup orange juice (optional)

Mix the banana, curd and orange juice in a blender till it turns into a smooth creamy consistency. Serve immediately.

Mango Smoothie

Rich source of Vitamin A, calcium, folate, magnesium

1/2 cup mango chopped
1/4 cup curd/yoghrt

Mix the mango and curd in a blender until it turns to a creamy consistency. Serve immediately.

Strawberry Smoothie

Rich source of Vitamin A, calcium, folate, vitamin C

1/2 cup strawberries cleaned and washed
1/4 cup curd/yogurt

Mix the strawberries and curd in a blender until it turns to a smooth consistency. Serve immediately.

Note : Make sure that the curd you use is not too sour. If you do not want to use curd, you can offer plain fruit purees such as papaya, mango, banana, strawberry, cheeku or a combination of two or three fruits.
Things to remember

• Always pick fresh fruits and vegetables. Choose seasonal produce instead of the packaged cold storage variety. Wash/clean/peel them well. Bacteria are killed by boiling and cooking — but since juices and shakes do not go through the process of excess heat and boiling, one needs to be extra cautious about hygiene, food safety and freshness levels.

• Offer one new food/fruit at a time. Gradually proceed to a combination of two fruits or three. Keep a track of your baby’s reaction to each vegetable/fruit juice. If your baby is allergic to any specific ingredient, remove it from the recipe.

• Many doctors say that it’s better to introduce vegetable juice first as fruit juices are sweeter and babies prefer fruit juice over bland vegetable juices. Choose vegetables that can be blended with fruits such as carrot-apple, tomato-carrot to add variety. You can even add a few drops of dhania (coriander), pudina (mint) or amla (Indian gooseberry) juice to add a little tangy flavour.

• As far as possible give your baby home made juices. Avoid commercial packaged juices, which have very high sugar content.

• Do not add any sugar, salt, honey or chaat masala to the juices, as your baby’s digestive system may not be ready for these yet. Let her enjoy the natural taste of the food.

• Never give your baby chilled juices and shakes. Always serve at room temperature immediately after you have taken out the juice. Letting juices stand for more than twenty minutes may affect the flavour (they can turn bitter) and also cause spoilage and bacterial formation.

Last 5 posts by payal

• Quick Tips For Hair Care - February 18th, 2010
• Travel and Driving During Pregnancy - February 18th, 2010
• Pregnancy Ultrasounds - Essential For Smooth Delivery - February 18th, 2010
• About Epidural Anesthesia - February 17th, 2010
• Fetal Development - February 17th, 2010