At what age can you give your baby mashed potatoes?

Potatoes are considered beneficial for a child if they are introduced into the diet in a timely and correct manner. There are nutritional standards for infants that you should pay attention to when planning your menu. It is better for young parents to know from how many months old can they give their baby mashed potatoes, in what quantities and how to prepare the dish correctly so as not to harm the baby.

Baby

What are the benefits of potatoes for babies?

Potatoes, like other vegetables, contain a lot of vitamins and nutrients. Previously, it was one of the first to be introduced into children’s diets and was offered to little ones almost every day. But it is quite high in calories and contains a lot of proteins and carbohydrates. For the baby's digestive system, dishes made from it are considered heavy. Therefore, there is no need to introduce it too early.

Composition and nutritional value

Potatoes contain potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, B vitamins, and ascorbic acid. They are required for growth, the formation of immunity, and the development of the nervous system. In addition, the fiber contained in the composition helps improve digestive functions. Plant fibers help remove toxins from the body.

The benefits of potatoes

This root vegetable has many beneficial properties:

1. has a strengthening effect on the heart, blood vessels and circulatory system
2. regulates metabolism and general metabolism
3. good for the digestive system

Potatoes are rich in:

1. iodine
2. phosphorus
3. potassium
4. iron
5. calcium
6. various vitamins

Choosing potatoes for cooking babies

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Potatoes for cooking for babies need to be chosen carefully:

• Avoid rotten vegetables;
• Do not take root vegetables with black spots;
• Old potatoes will not work;
• Vegetables that have been left in the sun for a long time should not be eaten even by adults. They turn green as a result of corned beef accumulation. This substance can have a toxic effect on the body. It is always contained in potatoes, as well as in eggplants and tomatoes, but with prolonged exposure to scorching rays its concentration increases. There are different opinions about ridding potatoes of poison. Some believe that heat treatment cleans the vegetable of a dangerous substance, others believe that exposure to temperatures does not help. In any case, it is better not to experiment with the baby’s health and put the green tuber aside.

Green potatoes

It is better to take potatoes from your own garden or from friends to be sure there are no nitrates. Otherwise, you need to soak the vegetable for about 10-12 hours. Change the water periodically by pouring fresh water. Out of season, many doctors advise feeding babies puree in jars, when purchasing which you need to carefully study the composition.

Recipe for cooking at home

Potatoes can be baked, boiled in a double boiler or in boiling water under a lid. Baked or boiled potatoes need to be crushed until pureed, then add a little milk to the dish.

If this is the first time you try potatoes, then you should add breast milk, the broth in which the vegetable was cooked, or baby formula to the puree.

A little later, the chopped potatoes can be combined with cow's milk. Oil (preferably vegetable) should also be added to the potato dish.

Introducing mashed potatoes into complementary foods

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It is not recommended to start complementary feeding with mashed potatoes. First you need to introduce the baby to other vegetables:

• cauliflower;
• broccoli;
• zucchini.

In this case, you need to carefully monitor the baby’s reaction. If the baby accepts the new food well, move on to porridge. It is recommended to start with corn, buckwheat, and rice. The first porridges should be dairy-free. After gradually introducing these products, you can move on to potatoes. Although it is famous for its high content of vitamins and minerals, the starch included in its composition can harm the digestion of the baby. Therefore, there is no need to rush to add it to your diet.

From what month should potatoes be introduced into complementary foods depends on the baby’s type of nutrition, whether he eats mother’s milk or an adapted formula.

Breastfed

Children who feed exclusively on mother's milk are recommended to start complementary feeding no earlier than six months. Until this time, their mother’s milk provides them with everything they need. In addition, the enzyme system at this age becomes more advanced.

Potatoes are added to the diet at the age of 7-8 months:

• You need to start getting acquainted with a new dish with a small portion; for the first time, give your child half a teaspoon;
• The consistency should resemble puree soup;
• Like any other new product, it should be offered in the first half of the day. This will help track the baby’s reaction and take action in case of allergies. At this time, there is no need to introduce the child to other products. It is also advised to postpone the introduction of new dishes during illness and teeth growth. The baby should be healthy and calm.

Healthy baby

Note! There is no need to give your baby potatoes every day. The best option is 1-2 times a week. On the next day of feeding root vegetable puree, if the reaction is normal, you can offer him a whole teaspoon.

It is better to postpone the introduction of potatoes into the diet for children who are overweight. A starchy vegetable will only make the situation worse.

Artificially fed

Formula-fed babies are introduced to adult food earlier than breastfed babies. They usually begin complementary feeding at the age of 4-4.5 months. The scheme does not change; first the child is offered green vegetables, then dairy-free cereals. Mashed potatoes can be given to a child when he gets acquainted with these products and gets used to them. Sometimes it is recommended to start complementary foods in a different order. For example, if a baby is not gaining weight well, pediatricians advise giving cereal first. In any case, it is better to introduce potatoes after them; do not rush to introduce the child to root vegetable puree until six months.

At 6-7 months, you can offer your baby a small portion of a potato dish to try. There is no need to be upset if the baby does not appreciate the new product and turns away. After some time, his tastes may change. You should not force feed your child, this will discourage him from eating.

Controversial root vegetable

Well-known pediatricians and nutritionists recommend introducing potato complementary foods at different times. Some believe that this can be done at 4.5-5 months for artificial babies and at 6 months for infants. Others argue that it is impossible to include mashed potatoes in baby food so early. A serious argument to confirm this point of view is that this root vegetable contains an excessively large amount of starch, which makes potatoes a “heavy” product for a baby’s digestion. Moreover, enzymes that are capable of efficiently digesting this starchy root vegetable will begin to be produced in the baby only at 9-10 months. Therefore, the mother should know that at a really early age, a baby may develop an allergy to potatoes.

All children's doctors agree on one thing: you cannot start vegetable complementary feeding with this particular vegetable. First, prepare a puree of zucchini, broccoli, cauliflower or carrots, and then you can add potatoes as a second component to a two-component complementary food or give it as a separate dish.

Making mashed potatoes for babies

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It is most beneficial to boil potatoes in their skins, this way the maximum beneficial properties and vitamins will be preserved. This method is suitable when using root vegetables from your own garden, when you are sure that it has not been treated with harmful substances. Before cooking, potatoes should be washed well and placed in a pan of water.

If you have to cook from purchased vegetables, it is better to peel and soak them in cool water in advance. This will not only get rid of nitrates, but also reduce the content of starch, which overloads the baby’s imperfect digestive system. You need to keep the potatoes in water for at least 3-4 hours.

Soaking potatoes

Note! The more you soak, the less starch and nitrates remain, but the nutritional value of the product decreases.

How long to cook

Potatoes need to be boiled until soft. It should be easily pierced with a fork or knife. Usually 20 minutes is enough for this. A long cooking time will not make it more tasty, but will deprive it of vitamins and nutrients.

Recipe

To prepare mashed potatoes for babies at home, you need to boil the vegetable until tender. Whether cooked in its jacket or peeled, it should be soft. After this, mash it, adjusting the thickness of the dish with potato broth. The puree should be liquid and free of lumps so that the baby does not choke. It is not recommended to use salt until one year of age. It is allowed to add a little vegetable or butter after 7-8 months.

Note! You can always add some breast milk or formula to the puree. The baby will feel the familiar taste and will be more happy to try a new dish.

There is no need to beat the potatoes with a mixer - this will not only deprive them of their benefits, but also make them viscous and sticky. The baby will not be able to handle a dish of this consistency.

You can boil chopped potatoes along with zucchini, adding the latter to the pan a little later. It takes no more than 7-10 minutes for the zucchini to become soft. After the vegetables are cooked, mash them. Don't forget to remove the seeds from the zucchini. For infants, it is better to cut off the skin of even zucchini.

As soon as the baby adapts to the new food, you can prepare thicker purees, but it is better to refrain from spices. If your child does not like the taste, it is better to experiment with combinations with other vegetables. The main thing is to feed him what he likes, and do not forget to offer other dishes so that his favorite ones do not become boring.

Potato soup

To prepare the dish you will need the following ingredients: 2 root vegetables, 150 ml of milk, 1 tbsp. l. butter and a leek stalk.

Cooking process:

1. Wash the tubers thoroughly, peel, cut and soak for 2 hours in cold water.
2. Wash the onion, chop and fry in butter. Add water and simmer.
3. After boiling, add potatoes and cook for 30 minutes.
4. Grind vegetables using a blender or masher.
5. Add milk and mix well.

Soup should be given to the baby only warm. And remember that the baby must be at least 8 months old.

Norms for complementary feeding by month

The baby is constantly exposed to new products and flavor combinations. There is no need to rush him, trying to quickly introduce all the products. Some children enjoy eating mashed potatoes, others refuse, preferring to enjoy porridge.

Baby eats

How often to give

You need to remember that you don’t need to give puree every day:

• It is recommended to cook potato dishes twice a week;
• For children prone to obesity, it is enough to offer them once every seven days.

Despite the invaluable benefits, the high-calorie product is difficult to digest. The starch contained in potatoes provides the body with carbohydrates. When they are in excess in the body, fat accumulates, which leads to weight gain.

Quantity

For the first time, you need to offer the baby about 5 grams of puree or half a dessert spoon. You can gradually increase the amount of serving, bringing it to 80 grams at the seventh meal. That is, at 8-9 months the baby is allowed to eat 120-130 grams of mashed potatoes per week. Per year, the permissible volume increases to 200 grams. You can feed your baby until he is full, as much as he can eat. Usually a 200 gram portion is more than enough; you shouldn’t give the dish every day.

The famous children's doctor Komarovsky urges you to remember that until a child is one year old, he is just getting acquainted with new food, learning taste combinations and texture. The basis of his diet is breast milk or formula. Therefore, there is no need to chase the norms, it is better to know them, but focus on your own child, his appetite and preferences.

Note! The baby is fed and given food that serves as an addition to formula or milk.

What can be combined with

Mashed potatoes are better digested when combined with other vegetables familiar to the baby. So it goes great with broccoli. Not all children like healthy cabbage, and they rarely refuse puree soup. Apart from potatoes and broccoli, it does not require any other ingredients. Its consistency is regulated by water.

Broccoli and potato soup

The root vegetable is also combined with:

• other types of cabbage: cauliflower, white cabbage;
• carrots;
• zucchini;
• beets;
• pumpkin

The main thing is that all the ingredients are familiar to the child. Once he has mastered the individual foods, you can combine them to create new dishes.

After 9 months, when meat is introduced, it is added to potatoes. Then the baby receives a full lunch or dinner. Potatoes with meat are a universal dish for all times.

Useful tips for parents

Introducing complementary foods is an interesting, but at the same time difficult process. There are several tips on how and when to give mashed potatoes to a baby:

• High quality products are used to prepare the dish. This applies not only to potatoes, but also to other products.
• It is best to cook root vegetables in enamel or ceramic dishes.
• Before feeding the baby puree, the mother should taste it. Even high-quality potatoes can be bitter.
• Initially, the root vegetable needs to be diluted with a decoction. Milk can be added several times and must be low-fat.
• Babies usually like potatoes. You can alternate it with other vegetables. If this is not done, then the baby may refuse the latter.
• Mashed potatoes should be given no more than 2-3 times a week. The dish must be fresh.
• Breastfed babies eat complementary foods without much desire. In such cases, you should not rush things and force the baby. This situation should be discussed with your pediatrician.

For any baby, the time comes when he needs to switch to plant and animal foods. Parents must understand that the process requires them to invest time and special patience.

Possible problems when introducing potatoes

Potatoes are considered a low-allergenic product and are usually allowed to be used in dietary nutrition. In rare cases, after consuming it, a baby may develop a negative reaction. This is usually associated with starch. Allergies can appear even at the age of 2-3 months if a nursing mother eats a lot of potatoes. Even then, the baby may develop colic and a rash. Under such circumstances, it is worth introducing the baby to the vegetable with caution, carefully observing the changes. It is better to avoid dishes with potatoes for up to a year. Perhaps by this time the baby will outgrow and react normally to the product.

Signs of allergies

An allergy can be suspected by the presence of the following signs:

• Decreased appetite, or complete loss may also occur;
• Increased gas formation;
• Colic;
• Restless sleep;
• Stool upset, with changes in color, consistency, and an unpleasant odor;
• Belching.

The baby reacts this way not only to mashed potatoes, but also to milk if the mother abuses starchy vegetables. To get rid of unpleasant symptoms, you need to completely eliminate the allergen. You can also speed up its removal from the body by using sorbents. Some formulas fed to formula-fed children contain starch, which can cause allergies.

Also, among the consequences of eating potatoes, in rare cases the following may be observed:

• Nausea, vomiting;
• The appearance of red spots on the skin, they usually peel off and most often occur on the cheeks. A rash may form near the lips;
• Nasal congestion, runny nose, constant sneezing;
• Swelling of the mucous membranes of the nasopharynx.

Allergy symptoms

If a similar reaction is noticed in a child, you should contact your pediatrician. If necessary, he will refer you to a specialist - an allergist. It is important to relieve the symptoms and eliminate the product, the use of which leads to negative consequences. If it is determined that it is potatoes, the following foods should be consumed with caution:

• tomatoes;
• eggplant;
• apples and pears.

Note! The allergy does not necessarily remain with the child for life; usually the symptoms disappear after 5-6 years, and the child can safely be given potatoes.

High glycemic index

The glycemic index of foods indicates the degree to which carbohydrates influence the formation of sugar. With its sharp growth, a lot of insulin is required. It processes sugar, resulting in the formation of fat cells. Potatoes, especially boiled ones, have a high glycemic index. Therefore, it is contraindicated for diabetics and people prone to obesity. Long-term soaking of raw vegetables reduces the indicator. If a child is rapidly gaining weight, and an increase in blood sugar is dangerous for him, then you should not introduce potatoes into the diet.

When complementary foods appear, a lot of questions and doubts arise. In order not to worry about the age at which you can give potatoes and other vegetables to your baby, to be sure that the actions are correct, you need to study the pediatrician’s recommendations and focus on the child’s needs. If allergy symptoms appear, you should immediately consult a doctor, only he can choose the right treatment.

How to choose potatoes for complementary feeding

In order for complementary feeding with mashed potatoes to bring only benefits, you need to choose good tubers. What should you pay attention to? The best option is potatoes grown independently, without the use of chemical fertilizers. But not everyone has this opportunity, so when buying a vegetable you should adhere to the following rules:

1. Choose small young tubers. They contain more vitamins and less starch.
2. There should be no sprouts, putrefactive spots, black spots or any other defects on the potatoes.
3. Tubers should be smooth, without dents or bulges.
4. Depending on the variety, the peel can be of different colors (yellow, pink and even purple), but not green. You should not give your child vegetables with green spots.
5. Choose elastic tubers, fresh, not sluggish. Only these contain all the useful substances.

Puree recipes with additional ingredients

When the baby grows up a little and becomes familiar with potatoes, you can add other products to the puree. They also initially need to be administered separately, observing the baby’s reaction.

A multi-component dish is prepared only on the basis of those products that the child has already eaten.

Potato and carrot puree

The dish is allowed to be given to children from eight months of age. It is prepared as follows:

Expert opinionAnastasia Mikhailovna MoiseevaPracticing general practitioner, 18 years of experience.

1. Take one potato, half a carrot.
2. Peel the vegetables and wash the roots.
3. Cut food into several parts.
4. Place in a saucepan and fill with water.
5. Cook until done.
6. Grind the root vegetables with a blender, adding a couple of drops of olive oil.

Mashed potatoes with meat

This puree is also administered when the baby reaches eight months of age.

You will need the following products:

• parsley root;
• a couple of potato tubers;
• salt;
• butter;
• 60 grams of meat (rabbit, turkey, veal to choose from).

Cooking steps:

1. The meat is passed through a meat grinder twice and blended with a blender.
2. Roll the resulting minced meat into small balls and boil them.
3. Root vegetables are peeled, cut into cubes, and steamed.
4. Vegetables are crushed in a blender along with meat.
5. Add a little salt and oil.
6. Mix thoroughly.

Recipe with fish

Before you start preparing this dish, it is extremely important to make sure that you are not allergic to seafood. It should be given to babies closer to the age of one year.

The following products are used in cooking:

• leek;
• a couple of potatoes;
• sunflower oil;
• 100 grams of fish.

Cooking steps:

1. The leek is washed and hard fibers are removed by breaking the stem in half. Cut into rings.
2. Root vegetables are washed, peeled and cut.
3. The fish is cut into small cubes.
4. Place the prepared products in a double boiler.
5. Steam until done.
6. Grind in a blender, adding a few drops of oil.