Dried fruit compote: at what age can you give it to a child and how to cook it?

Compote for a child

Compote is a sweet drink made from fruits and berries or a mixture of dried fruits and dried berries. It is prepared by boiling and served warm or cold. Compote is included in the menu of kindergartens and schools. This drink is quite high in calories and contains vitamins and minerals necessary for the development of a child’s body. Compote will quench your thirst and replenish the lack of water in the body.

For infants, one-component compotes of apples, pears, and rose hips are first cooked without adding sugar. Children after 1 year can diversify the composition of the compote with various dried fruits, berries and fruits, adding a little sugar to it.

It is best to prepare compote for a child yourself at home, since the recipe for its preparation is very simple. But on our shelves you can also buy ready-made compotes from baby food manufacturers such as Fruto Nyanya and Agusha; they are recommended for feeding children from 6 months.

Is it possible to use compote to replace water for a child?

This question worries many mothers, especially those who have children in their first year of life. Making you drink clean water is much more difficult than a delicious fortified compote. Can compote replace water and perform the basic functions for which water is responsible? Water balance is the main basis for the full growth and functionalization of the body. Compote or tea is an auxiliary part of the diet, which is drunk for one’s own pleasure, and not for a specific purpose, so it cannot be said that compote can replace clean water. Just one-fourth of the total liquid per day can be compote, but the remaining three-quarters can be pure water. Therefore, it is recommended that children be given exclusively water to quench their thirst, but drink compote to wash down their meals, as this will be a tasty and healthy end to the meal.

The benefits of compote for children

Although the bulk of the vitamins contained in fresh fruits and berries are destroyed during cooking, compote is still useful for children, as it contains most of the minerals, especially potassium, saccharides, pectins and organic acids. In addition, during cooking, most of the allergens are destroyed, so compote can be considered a hypoallergenic product and prescribed to children with allergies. In addition, dried fruit compote is prescribed for gastrointestinal disorders, since, like jelly, it does not irritate the mucous membrane of the digestive tract.

Compote without sugar is useful for infants, but its quantity should be limited so as not to cause dyspeptic reactions in the digestive system.

Note!

You cannot replace water with compote, although it is tastier and more nutritious than water; the child should drink regular water every day if he receives food other than breast milk.

For children over 1 year of age, compote can be sweetened and many children like to drink it rather than just water. But even here you should limit its consumption, since sugar contributes to the development of caries and obesity.

It follows that compote is healthy and tasty for children, but its quantity must be strictly regulated.

How much compote can a child drink per day?

At what age can it be given to a child?

Doctors and WHO specialists are of the opinion that additional liquid can be introduced into the diet only after 6-7 months (this is especially true for children who are fed breast milk). This is due to the fact that a child’s body is not ready to accept and process anything else until six months old. In addition, complementary foods are usually introduced at this age.

Dried fruits compote

This means that parents know the reaction of the child’s body to certain products. As for babies who are bottle-fed, they need additional fluid. First they are supplemented with water, then with other drinks.

If a child is fed an adapted formula, you can start giving compote up to six months (at the earliest - at 3 months), but before that you should definitely consult a pediatrician, as there are individual contraindications.

Rules for introducing compote into the diet:

1. You need to introduce your baby to a new product in the morning (this will allow you to monitor the child’s well-being throughout the day). At the first dose, give 1 tsp. If no adverse reactions occur, the volume is gradually increased to 100 ml;
2. You cannot add sugar to the drink. Instead, you can use fructose, but only with the doctor's permission (this is usually not necessary, since dried fruits are sweet in themselves);
3. the first compote should consist of 1 ingredient (for example, dried apples). New components are added gradually, 1 piece at a time.

When and what kind of compote can a child

The first time compote is given to a child is 5 months old. The first compote should contain one fruit or berry. From this age you can eat rose hips, green apples and prunes. For the first feeding, it is better to prepare a weakly concentrated decoction or dilute it with water after preparation.

From 6 months, a child can drink compote with pulp; for this, boiled berries or fruits are pureed and returned back to the decoction. Compote for a child can contain green pears, currants, gooseberries, yellow plums and cherries, as well as dried fruits such as dried apricots, raisins and dried apples.

From 6 months, a child can be given store-bought compotes, but they must also be introduced gradually and the child’s body’s reaction must be monitored. The opened product is stored in the refrigerator and consumed within 24 hours.

For a seven-month-old baby, you can diversify the compote with a mixture of dried fruits from dried apples and pears, prunes, raisins and dried apricots. And also carefully introduce cherries, blue plums, lingonberries, cranberries and blueberries. From 7 months the compote can be multi-component.

After 1 year, the child can be given a more concentrated compote and in a larger dosage of up to 200 ml. In addition, from 1 year you can add sugar to the compote. A one-year-old child can enjoy new products in compote - peaches, apricots, raspberries, strawberries, wild strawberries, chokeberries, sea buckthorn and blackberries.

A child from 2 years old can be given compote with any composition, and it is also not necessary to puree the berries and fruits. A child can eat boiled fruits from compote with a spoon.

Preparing the first compote

Experts recommend apple compote as your first drink. This option is considered hypoallergenic and safe for little ones. To prepare dried apple compote for your child, take:

• 1 medium apple;
• 500 ml. water.

For the first drink, it is better to choose a green or yellow fruit to avoid possible allergies. Step by step recipe:

1. Wash the apple thoroughly.
2. Cut it into quarters, first getting rid of the insides.
3. Cut the quarters into slices and place in a saucepan. For these purposes, try not to use aluminum cookware.
4. Pour boiling water over the apple slices and put on fire.
5. Immediately after boiling, remove the pan from the stove, but do not open it.
6. Wait until the drink cools down, only then will it be ready to drink.

This is how the first compote is prepared for a 6 month old baby. If you don't have an apple, you can make a drink from pear, which is also considered a hypoallergenic fruit. Pear compote is prepared in the same way as apple compote.

How to cook compote for a child

Compote for a child is prepared from filtered clean water. Berries and fruits are thoroughly washed and cut. Dried fruits must first be poured with boiling water for a few minutes. It is best to strain the finished compote for a child under one year old through cheesecloth so that there are no small pieces of fruit. Children over 1 year of age do not need to do this.

Compote for a child up to one year old

For infants, a weak decoction is brewed at the rate of 50 grams of fruit per 1 glass of water. Berries and/or fruits are placed in cold water and brought to a boil, then simmered over low heat for another 5-10 minutes. Then the compote can be strained or the fruits can be wiped, depending on the age of the child. The child is given warm compote, but in hot weather it can be slightly cooled.

Compote for children after one year

After 1 year, the child can be given a more concentrated decoction. To do this, take 100 grams of fruit per 1 glass of water. For a one-year-old child, you can slightly sweeten the compote. There are approximately 4 glasses (250 g) of water in 1 liter, keep this in mind when preparing compote.

Pear compote

You will need: apple – 1 pc., pear – 1 pc., water 0.7 liters.

How to cook: Wash the apple and pear, peel, remove the seeds and cut into small pieces. Place the fruits in a saucepan and fill with water. Cook over medium heat until boiling. Ideally, the pan should have a transparent lid, then you will not miss the moment the compote boils. After boiling, remove the pan from the heat and leave the compote for 1-2 hours. It is not advisable for children under one year to consume sugar, but you can add a little raisins, which will add natural sweetness to the compote.

What to cook compote from

Compote can be made from any berries and fruits, as well as dried and frozen fruits. You just need to focus on the child’s age, his preferences and the beneficial properties of the products. For example, prune and plum compote has a laxative effect, while pear compote has a strengthening effect.

Rose hips, dried apricots, and raisins contain large amounts of potassium, which is necessary for the normal functioning of the cardiovascular system.

Compote of rosehip, sea buckthorn and black currant is rich in vitamins, it improves immunity and has a tonic effect.

Compote of lingonberries, cranberries, and wild strawberries is indicated for infections of the genitourinary system, as it has a diuretic and bactericidal effect.

Raspberry compote can be drunk for colds, as it has an antipyretic and analgesic effect.

Dried fruit compote is prescribed on the menu for gastrointestinal diseases, poisoning and diarrhea. For children with allergies, compote of green apples and prunes is recommended.

Compote has a gentler effect on the baby’s body than juice, fruit drink or puree from these fruits, but still the benefits of compote are undeniable.

Vitamin composition of compote

Many argue that due to the fact that the compote is subject to heat treatment, the liquid is not saturated with vitamins, so the claim that the compote is fortified is a myth. Anyone who thinks so is mistaken, since the drink is really rich in vitamins, since after heat treatment only a small part of the beneficial substances is lost, and everything else remains completely unchanged. The main thing to remember is that it is in the peel of the fruit that a real storehouse of vitamins and useful microelements is stored, so under no circumstances peel the desired fruit, because this is what will significantly reduce the amount of vitamin, not boiling.

Compote recipes for children

Fresh apple compote for children

This is one of the first recipes you can introduce your child to.

1 green apple 0.5 liters of water

The apple should be peeled and cut into small pieces, which are placed in cold water. Cook the apple compote until it boils and for another 2-3 minutes, remove from heat and let it cool. Then we filter through cheesecloth and give it to the child. Then you can wipe the boiled apples and add them back to the broth. Compote with pulp is rich in fiber, which is beneficial for the digestion process.

Pear compote for children

1 green pear 0.5 liters of water

Peel the pear and cut into small pieces. It should be cooked in the same way as the apple compote from the recipe above.

Dried apple compote for children

100 g dried apples 0.5 liters of water

Wash dried apples thoroughly and scald with boiling water. Then we place them in boiling water and cook for 2-3 minutes, then close the pan with a lid and leave for 5-6 hours or overnight in a warm place. In the morning, strain the water - this will be the apple compote.

Dried fruit compote for children

400 g of dried fruit mixture (dried apples, raisins, prunes) 1 liter of water 1-2 teaspoons of sugar

Wash the dried fruits and scald them with boiling water. Then place them in boiling water and cook for 20-25 minutes over low heat, add sugar if desired. Let the compote brew for several hours. Strain the broth for children up to one year old.

Prune compote for children

This recipe will help mothers whose children suffer from constipation.

300 g prunes 1 liter of water 1-2 teaspoons sugar

Rinse and scald the prunes with boiling water, then throw them into boiling water and cook for 15-20 minutes over low heat. Let the compote steep for 2-3 hours.

Compote of dried apricots for children

This compote is good for the heart and blood vessels.

400 g dried apricots 1 liter of water

Rinse the dried apricots and scald with boiling water. Place it in boiling water and cook over low heat for 15-20 minutes. Let the compote brew and cool naturally.

Raisin compote for children

This compote will be sweet and without sugar. Little children under one year old really like it.

100 g raisins 0.5 liters of water

It is prepared in the same way as the above-described recipes from dried fruits.

Compote of dried apricots and prunes for children

400 g dried apricots and prunes 1 liter of water 1-2 teaspoons of sugar

The preparation is the same as the recipe above. In the same way, you can prepare a compote of dried apricots and raisins for a child.

Date compote for children

A very tasty compote, but suitable for children over 3 years old.

dates 300 g 1 orange 0.5 cups sugar 1 liter of water

Peel and cut the orange into small pieces, wash the dates. Lightly fry the sugar in a frying pan, add water and boil. Add dates and orange to the sugar syrup, bring the broth to a boil, then cook over low heat for another 3-5 minutes. Let the compote brew. You can add cinnamon.

Rosehip compote for children

300 g dried rose hips 1 liter of water 2 teaspoons sugar

The rose hips should be washed and crushed. Then pour the berries into boiling water and cook for 7-10 minutes, add sugar. Let the broth brew. Strain through cheesecloth.

Sea buckthorn compote for children

This compote can be consumed by children over 2 years of age. You can drink it to strengthen your immune system and prevent colds.

300 g sea buckthorn 1 liter of water 150 g granulated sugar 1/4 lemon

Wash the berries, cut the lemon into slices, when the water boils add sugar, lemon and sea buckthorn berries. After the water boils, cook for 5-7 minutes. Cool and strain.

Currant compote for children

You can prepare only compote for children from black currants or take other types of these berries - red and white.

400 g currants 1 liter of water 1-2 teaspoons sugar

Wash the berries and throw them into boiling water, cook for 5 minutes, then cool. Strain the broth if the child is under one year old. Children after one year can be given with whole berries.

Cranberry compote for children

Cranberries are quite acidic berries, so you must add sugar to the compote.

400 g cranberries 1 liter of water 3-4 teaspoons sugar

Prepared in the same way as currant compote.

Berry compote for children

This is a recipe for preparing compote for the winter; you can pamper your child 2-3 years old and older with it.

500 g fresh strawberries 1 liter of water 200 g granulated sugar

Rinse the berries by placing them in a saucepan or bowl of cold water. Place them in a liter sterilized jar. Boil water and add sugar there. Then pour sugar syrup over the berries and wait 5-8 minutes, drain the syrup and boil it again. Then pour it into the jar again and immediately roll it up. Turn the jar upside down and leave it in a warm place for a day. This compote needs to be diluted with water.

Blueberry compote for children

500 g blueberries 1 liter of water 400 g granulated sugar

Rinse the berries well, put them in a jar and pour hot sugar syrup, not reaching 2 cm from the neck of the jar. Then sterilize the compote at 90 degrees for 15 minutes. Roll up the jars and place the lids down until cool.

Strawberry compote for children

This recipe is prepared without water; the strawberries give juice on their own. But the child should be given only in diluted form.

2 kg strawberries 0.5 kg granulated sugar

Wash the berries, dry them on a towel, place them in an enamel bowl, cover with sugar. Cover with a towel and leave for 10 hours. Then place the strawberries in jars along with the juice and sterilize the jars in boiling water for 10 minutes. Seal the jars and invert them until cool.

Cherry compote

Ripe cherries 1 cup sugar per 3 liter jar

Wash the cherries, pour 1/3 of the berries and 1 cup of granulated sugar into a 3-liter sterilized jar. Pour boiling water into the jar and roll up the lid, shake the jar to dissolve the sugar. Turn it upside down and wrap it until it cools.

Frozen berry compote for children

300 g frozen berries 1 liter of water 2-3 teaspoons sugar

Bring the water to a boil, add sugar and frozen berries (cherries, strawberries, currants, blackberries), bring honey mushrooms to a boil and reduce the heat, cook for 5 minutes over low heat, then turn off and let it brew. The berries can be strained or served with compote.

Frozen cranberry compote for children

It will be prepared similarly to the recipe written above, only you should take more sugar, since cranberries are a very sour berry.

Currant recipe

Among the popular compotes for children under one year old is currant. This berry contains large amounts of vitamin C, which improves immunity by creating a protective barrier to the penetration of pathogens.

To prepare a miracle drink from currants you will need:

• 150 g of berries, fresh or frozen;
• 1 l. water.

Rinse the currants under running water and leave to drain. Boil water in a saucepan and add berries there. Boil them for 20 minutes over low heat. Remove the dishes from the stove and leave until completely cool. Strain the finished drink through a sieve or cheesecloth and offer it to your baby. Frozen berry compote should be cooked for half an hour.

The drink should be introduced into the toddler’s diet 6-7 months after the first feeding.

Dried apricots and prunes

If we talk about how long it is possible to give a child a compote made from these components, then doctors do not recommend preparing such treats before the baby is 5 months old. Candied fruits have a positive effect on the digestive system and are loved by children. You can also add some raisins to such compotes. However, you should not prepare such a treat if you are constipated.

To boil dried apricot compote, you need no more than 100 g of product. The candied fruits are washed with cold water and left for about five minutes. After this, it is recommended to cut the dried apricots into pieces and place them in boiling water. You need to cook this treat for 15 minutes.

If we are talking about prunes, then you need to infuse the drink a little longer. First, dried fruits are soaked for 10 minutes, and after preparing the drink, the liquid should cool for at least half an hour.

It is also important to remember that sugar is not added to such compotes. The drink should be exclusively natural, without any additives.

First compote

If your baby is trying this treat for the first time, it is better not to give him dried apricots or prunes right away. Also, you should not give “mixes” of several varieties of fruits. It is recommended to cook a weak compote using dried apples. After preparing the treat, it is advisable to dilute it a little more with water.

If after the first intake of such food the child does not experience any negative reaction, then you can try using other dried fruits. However, you need to remember that plum has a laxative effect, and pear, on the contrary, strengthens.

Useful properties of compotes

First of all, it is worth noting that this drink contains many vitamins. Compotes also contain microelements that improve the functioning of the stomach and other systems. The compote contains vitamins A and B.

Speaking about whether it is possible to give a child compote, it is also worth paying attention to the fact that such a drink contains a large amount of mineral components. For example, if a person periodically drinks such drinks from dried fruits, then his body receives iron, potassium, magnesium, calcium and many other necessary substances. In addition, such a liquid dessert helps strengthen the immune system. If you supplement the compote with prunes, you can get rid of constipation quite quickly.

When considering when you can give your child compote from dried fruits, it is worth paying attention to the fact that such a drink is especially useful in hot weather, as it becomes a source of liquid, which the small body quickly loses during active games in the sun. This treat also contains fructose, making it an excellent natural source of energy.

Some babies suffer from frequent diarrhea or constipation because they often try green fruits or unwashed foods. Thanks to compotes made from fruits, you can get rid of intestinal irritation and relieve unpleasant symptoms.