Photo: Flickr, Matt Preston
Thanksgiving is right around the corner, but this year might be a little different for your family -- there's a new member! In order to have everyone (including the youngest members) participate in the Thanksgiving Day fun it would be nice for everyone to be able to eat everything offered at your Thanksgiving Day celebrations. So, you're probably wondering
What part of Thanksgiving dinner can my baby eat?
The main thing to consider when you're planning on introducing Thanksgiving food to your infant is their age.
Wholesome Baby Food has put together a few recipes and meal ideas for you this year, and they've broken it up based on your child's age.
Here's a basic breakdown for some food ideas
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Under 8 Months
Sweet Potatoes
Mix butternut or mashed acorn squash into sweet potatoes.
Sweet and Regular Potatoes
Blend both regular (white) and sweet potatoes -- make sure it is nice and smooth so your child doesn't choke on a piece of potato.
Apple Pie -- Baby Version
Has your baby been eating baby cereal? Make them their own apple pie!
Mix applesauce and oatmeal or rice cereal together.
You can also make this a "sweet potato apple pie" by adding in some sweet potatoes to give it a different flavor.
Pumpkin Pie -- Baby Version
Similar to the baby version of the apple pie.
Blend pumpkin puree with oatmeal or rice cereal.
8-10 Months
Spicy Squash
Add cinnamon and/or nutmeg to your child's squash.
Green Beans and White Potatoes
Blend green beans and white potatoes together.
Fully Turkey Dinner-- Baby Version
Cut turkey up into small slices that your child can pick up with their fingers.
Add apple sauce and sweet potato squash to plate.
Apple Pie-- Baby Version
Add cereal, yogurt and apple sauce into a bowl together.
Add some cinnamon and top with Cheerios
Mix in a blender.
Pumpkin Pie-- Baby Version
Recipe the same as apple pie but add pumpkin puree.
Please note that introducing a spoonful or two of normal pumpkin pie is alright if your child is older than 8 months. However, the baby version listed above is a better substitution so you don't have to worry about all the ingredients that went into the pumpkin pie.
Cranberries
Cranberries have a lot of acidity, so your child might be prone to a rash around their mouth.
A few cranberries should not inspire a reaction, but a large amount will.
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Overall
If you have other/more questions about what you can and cannot feed your child this Thanksgiving always consult your pediatrician.
Also, remember, if you ever are in a situation where you're confused about what kind of food your baby should eat -- breastfeeding is always the best option for infants.
Happy Thanksgiving!