So you've started thinking about weaning - traditional purees vs baby-led weaning, but did you know there's a third choice? Why not combine these weaning methods with aromatic spices to make your baby's first food experience even more interesting and tasty!

Easy Indian Super Meals

Easy Indian Super Meals

Not many parents realise just how beneficial weaning with aromatic spices can be for baby's palate, but there are so many advantages to consider! Aromatic spices are an excellent substitute to adding salt and sugar to provide much-needed flavour in baby meals; the delectable aroma spices release when cooked making food tastier when eaten; and the range of spice flavours available allows parents to offer a wider variety of meals in a baby's diet - helping to broaden palates and reduce fussy eating behaviours.

After successfully weaning my daughter with spices, hand on heart, I can honestly say it's the best weaning method I used. She loves trying new foods, she's healthy, happy and isn't a picky eater.

If you're considering weaning with spices but don't know where to start, read on for my top 10 tips to weaning with aromatic spices.

The 7 month milestone

7 months is the perfect age to introduce aromatic spices into a baby's diet. Baby's palate will be accustomed to basic tastes - fruit and vegetables and his/ her digestive system will be further developed.

Introduce spices safely

Follow the 'four-day-rule' to ensure your little one is not allergic to spices. So introduce a lightly cooked spice to mashed or pureed food. Then wait four days before introducing another.

A tiny pinch is enough

It's not uncommon for parents to forget everything is new to a baby. New world, new tastes and textures, so just a tiny pinch of aromatic spice will be enough for your baby. It's amazing what new taste buds can detect.

Keep an eye out for allergic reactions

Whilst allergic reactions to spices are uncommon, they can occur. So keep an eye out for tummy upsets, skin rashes, swelling of the lips and face, runny and blocked noses, sneezing, itchy watery eyes, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.

Spices must be fresh

Once the spice packet is opened, store in a clean, dry air tight container away from sunlight to ensure spices remain fresh for baby. Spices used must be produced by reputable spice brands sealed with a clear expiry date on the packet. If you're unsure - head to your local supermarket.

Everyday meals

Cooking with spices doesn't mean you have to cook curries. Add spices to everyday meals - stews, hotpots and pasta sauce for extra flavour.

Avoid chillies (along with sugar and salt)

Most spices are aromatic so are safe to introduce into a baby's diet in fresh, dried or ground varieties. Examples include - cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, turmeric, cloves, cumin and coriander. Spices with 'heat' (chillies, cayenne pepper etc.) should be avoided along with salt and sugar.

Begin with sweet spices

Babies have a sweet tooth - mother's milk is naturally sweet. So encourage new aromatic tastes with sweet spices. Try sweet potato sticks with cinnamon and nutmeg baked in the oven for a delicious finger food. Then move onto savoury spices - cumin, turmeric, coriander and so on, swiftly to continue offering new tastes and flavours.

Use spices to offer variety in meals

Weaning is all about introducing your baby to as many different foods, tastes and flavours as possible and cooking with spices makes this possible. Frequently offer a broad variety of meals so baby doesn't get accustomed to one type of food.

Spices for ailments

Teething is uncomfortable for baby and even more painful for parents! If you've tried everything - teething granules, gels and toys, try adding some nutmeg to meals for its analgesic properties. Equally if baby has cold or flu and the doctor can't prescribe anything, try adding some cumin, turmeric, cardamom or garlic to meals for their immune-boosting and anti-viral properties.

Article written by Zainab Jagot Ahmed author of "Easy Indian SuperMeals for Babies, Toddlers and the Family," and expert speaker at The Baby Show taking place from the 15th-17th May at the NEC in Birmingham. www.thebabyshow.co.uk


by for www.femalefirst.co.uk
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