Little People Clinic

14/05/2023

04/09/2022

4-WAYS WITH CARROTS 🥕

Whether you choose traditional weaning or baby led weaning carrots have always been a go to food for babies.

A carrot’s hidden super power is its amazing amount of carotenoids which are nutrients that convert to vitamin A in the body and support healthy vision.

Carrots are unlikely to cause an allergy and are naturally sweet which makes them ideal for weaning.

So how do you prepare carrots so that they are safe for babies? 🥕

If pureeing or mashing them for young babies I would always choose to steam them rather than boil to preserve nutrients and cook them until they are soft 15 to 20 minutes. Puree with a enough of the cooking water from the steamer to make a smooth puree.

🥕Carrots are very versatile and after offering carrot on its own try some of the combinations on my infographic or make up your own.

🥕Combining carrot with green vegetables can be a good gradual introduction to more bitter tasting vegetables.

🥕If making finger food then cooked whole carrot until it is soft is good for your little one or batons of carrot but cut them fairly long as baby’s hold food in their fist and if they are small they won’t stick out.

🥕Avoid giving carrot coins as these can get stuck in your baby’s throat so always cut them lengthways.

🥕By 9 months many babies have developed a pincer grip where the thumb and forefinger meet and when you see this you offer grated carrot or carrot matchsticks.

🥕Always stay in the room with your baby when he or she is eating and take care with giving raw carrot under the age of 2 as it can be a chocking hazard.

17/08/2022

Some ideas😊

11/08/2022

DID YOU KNOW IRON IS THE MOST COMMON DEFICIENCY IN BABIES FROM 6 MONTHS?😮

Did you know that little ones need more iron between six months to 2 years than at any other time in their lives?

Babies are born with their own reserve of iron, and until six months, your baby will have been busy using the store of iron they’ve inherited from Mum!

After this point their levels will deplete which is when it’s the time to start introducing iron-rich foods into their diet twice daily to aid their growth and development.
If you’re a meat-eating family be sure to introduce some red meat from six months as it’s packed with haem iron.

Iron-containing protein foods such as:
beef, chicken, fish, eggs, beans, pulses, tofu, or a fortified breakfast cereal with milk.

Viitamin C-rich food to help your baby better absorb the iron part of their meal, such as:
A small portion of raspberries, steamed broccoli floret.

27/07/2022

What shape is your baby's spine at birth?

At birth, babies’ spines are convex, in a C shape.

Newborn babies do not have the strength yet to support their spines or their necks and rely on you to support them.

You will notice that your newborn will tuck their feet in, bringing their knees to their chest.

This position reduces pressure on their growing spine.

24/07/2022

🥑🍎🥕BEST FIRST FINGER FOODS 🥝🍌🍑

From 6 months you can introduce soft finger foods to your baby 👶

Your baby will need to be able to close their hand around the food so it's best to start with pieces that are big enough for your baby to hold in their fist with some sticking out, so fairly long pieces around 6 or 7cm stand a better chance of success.

The best ways to cook veggies is to steam or roast them. Roasting veggies in the oven caramelises their natural sugars so babies love them!

FRUIT

Avocado 🥑 choose one that is ripe but not too mushy, cut into wedges and remove the skin.
Banana 🍌 make a banana lollipop leaving some skin at the base so your baby cant squish it...
Apple 🍏 lightly steam as raw apple is too hard and your baby could choke.
Strawberries 🍓 large strawberries can be kept whole and your baby can suck on them, but small strawberries can be a choking hazard and need to be halved or quartered.
Mango 🥭 choose a ripe mango and cut into wedges.
Plum 💜 remove the stone and cut into wedges.

VEGETABLES

Carrot 🥕 cut into batons and steam for about 20 minutes or until tender.
Courgette 🥒 cut into batons brush, with oil and bake in an oven preheated to 200C for about 10 minutes.
Butternut Squash 🧡 cut into batons, brush with a little oil and bake in an oven preheated to 200C for about 20 minutes or until tender.
Sweet Pepper ❤️ cut into strips and arrange on a lined baking sheet and brush with oil. Roast for about 15 to 20 minutes or until tender and then peel off the skin.
Broccoli /Cauliflower 🥦 cut into florets and steam for 7 to 8 minutes or until tender.

22/07/2022