If you are confused about introducing yogurt into your infant’s diet, finding the right yogurt recipes for your baby will resolve this issue. Many parents are apprehensive about giving yogurt to their babies because of the pediatricians’ general rule of “no dairy in the first year.” However, according to an article published in Pediatrics, it is safe to introduce yogurt in your baby’s diet by as early as six months (1). Any milk Other than breastmilk is generally not recommended during this period because milk protein is difficult for babies to digest. However, the milk protein in yogurt is broken into simpler forms by the bacteria present in it. This makes it good for health and an easily digestible source of protein and calcium. Read this post for some safe ways to include yogurt in your baby’s diet.
Benefits Of Yogurt For Babies
Before including yogurt in your child’s diet, make sure you have a sound knowledge of its benefits. Here are some health benefits that yogurt can provide for your child.
1. Digestion:
The high levels of protein, calcium and other active cultures in protein aid in the smooth functioning of the digestive system. It contains lactobacillus, a bacterium that balances the intestinal tract (2). It also neutralizes acidity in the stomach, reducing irritation and relieves diarrhea in babies. Streptococcus thermophilus bacteria present in yogurt also reduces abdominal cramps and flatulence.
2. Immune System:
Getting yogurt for the baby is the best thing you can do for their good health. The lactic acid present in yogurt will boost your baby’s immune system and the body’s overall defense mechanism. A regular consumption of yogurt by your baby will kill the bacteria that cause infections, inflammation, diarrhea, and dysentery.
3. Source Of Essentials Nutrients:
Yogurt will also supply your baby with essential nutrients to your growing baby. It contains nutrients like Vitamin A, B, C, D, E, calcium, zinc, potassium, sodium, zinc, and phosphorus. These nutrients will aid your child’s bone health and overall development.
4. Treats Insomnia:
One of the most common issues that infants face is insomnia. B complex vitamins and tryptophan present stimulate the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that regulates sleep. You can reduce insomnia in your child by regularly serving yogurt to him. You can also massage yogurt on your baby’s forehead to induce sleep.
10 Yogurt Recipes For Your Baby
To make your task easier, we have come up with ten best yogurt for babies combinations that you can serve to your six months above baby.
1. Sweet Potato and Apple Yogurt:
You Will Need:
1 organic apple peeled and cut into pieces 1/2 sweet potato baked and cut into pieces 6 oz. organic whole milk yogurt
How To: Combine apples and sweet potato in a food processor and blend until smooth. Add the yogurt and blend for a few minutes. This recipe is loaded with vitamin C and antioxidants.
2. Cherry Yogurt:
You Will Need:
½ cup cherry 2/3 cup yogurt
How To: Deseed the cherries, puree and then sieve to remove the skin. Combine it with yogurt and serve to your child.
3. Banana And Apple Yogurt:
You Will Need:
½ banana 2 tablespoons apple sauce 2 tablespoons of Greek yogurt
How To: Mash banana or puree it. Then add the applesauce and yogurt. Mix well and serve.
4. Yogurt Punch:
You Will Need:
4 chopped dried apricots 3 tbsp. water 2 tbsp. yogurt 1 medium sized ripe banana
How To: Take a saucepan and add apricots into it. Simmer over low heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Blend the apricot together with banana and yogurt and then serve.
5. Pear And Yoghurt:
You Will Need:
1 pear, peeled cored and sliced thinly 1/2 cup water 1 cup full fat yogurt
How To: In a saucepan, bring pear and water to boil. Then simmer for 10 minutes until the pear is soft. Puree the pear with the help of a blender and leave it aside to cool. Then combine the stewed pear with yogurt and serve.
6. Strawberry And Mango Yogurt:
You Will Need:
4 strawberries chopped 1/3 cup mango peeled and chopped 1/2 cup of yogurt
How To: Steam the fruits lightly until they soften. Then blend the fruit in a blender. Mix the fruit with the yogurt and serve.
7. Berry Delight:
You Will Need:
1-1/2 cups of full-fat plain yogurt 1/2 cup raspberries, strawberries, and blueberries 1/2 banana, sliced 1 tbsp. maple syrup
How To: Blend all the berries together with yogurt and maple syrup until smooth. Serve the yogurt topped with maple syrup. You can refrigerate the yogurt in an airtight container for about 3 days.
8. Mango Yogurt:
You Will Need:
1 ripe mango peeled and sliced ½ cup of yogurt
How To: Puree the mango in a blender and then mix with the yogurt. Top the yogurt with mango puree and serve.
9. Banana And Blueberry Yogurt:
You Will Need:
1 cup of yogurt 1 banana 1/2 cup of blueberries
How To: Slice the bananas and wash the blueberries. Then puree both the fruits together. Add the yogurt and puree again.
10. Blueberry And Maple Syrup Yogurt:
You Will Need:
1 ounce blueberry 4 ounces of plain Greek yogurt ½ teaspoon maple syrup
How To: Puree the blueberries and then add the yogurt and maple syrup and whisk well. Serve cold.
Tips:
Do not give low-fat dairy products to your kids as your baby needs fat for full brain development. If your child has exhibited signs of lactose intolerance, then you should avoid giving dairy products to him until he is one-year-old. Do not sweeten the yogurt with honey for babies younger than 12 months. Honey can cause botulism in babies (3). Do not make yogurt the main feature of your child’s diet, especially in the first year. Wait for at least three days before moving to another food after introducing yogurt. This way, your baby’s body will get enough time to adjust. Do not serve flavored yogurt to your baby. Plain yogurt is perfect as it does not contain added sugar. Purchase plain yogurt and then add fruit pulps to sweeten it. If your baby develops a rash around his mouth or has diarrhea after eating yogurt, then check with this pediatrician. These may be signs of allergic reactions. While adding pureed fruit to yogurt choose a fruit that your baby has tasted and tolerated before.
