Ingredients
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3 cups of ripe banana peeled and roughly chopped
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6 tablespoons of baby rice (alternatively use baby porridge oats to make a nourishing baby porridge)
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1 cup of water
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For babies +1 year you can add a teaspoon of honey for some extra natural sweetness (optional)
Directions
Peel the banana and roughly chop into small pieces;
Blend 4 -6 tablespoons rice cereal with 1 cup of water in a small saucepan; stir over medium heat until mixture boils and thickens. Cool to room temperature.
Place the chopped banana and baby rice into the jug of your steamer blender and blend until the desired consistency is met (smooth for younger babies, leave more coarse for older babies);
Add in the optional honey, and give another quick blend.
Portion into reusable baby food pouches;
Serve with a food pouch spoon or spout.
Recipe Note
Baby rice is a good choice as a first food for babies because very few people have an allergy to rice and rice cereal is easily digestible. In addition, baby rice is fortified with iron as it can be difficult for babies to get enough iron in their first year. It comes as a dry mixture, which is then mixed with liquids such as water, breast milk or formula to create a smooth texture that is considered ideal as a first baby food.
Bananas are naturally sweet and are a good source of potassium which your baby needs to help regulate the balance of fluids in the body. Potassium also plays a critical role in maintaining healthy blood pressure.
Honey is not recommended for infants under 1 year of age as it contains a bacteria which can cause Infant Botulism. But as a natural sweetener it is perfect to give to older kids.
When?
Babies are recommended to start on solids around 6 months but not before 4 months. Make sure your baby is showing signs they are ready for solids and that you introduce one food at a time initially. After that you are welcome to mix other fruits or veggies with this recipe!
To find out more about starting your baby out on solids safely read our articles here.
