Blackberries For Babies – Are They Safe?

When you enter the happy phase of motherhood, it is time to think about the healthy, nutritious food in the diet chart of your little champ. Fruits are an excellent source of essential nutrients and promote the growth of babies. Introducing fruits at the right time helps babies get used to the flavor and the habit of eating them regularly. While a plethora of fruits is available, this article gives you a comprehensive view of introducing blackberries for babies.

Blackberries are delicious and nutritious fruits that you can incorporate into your little one’s diet. They are rich in crucial growth compounds and have essential nutrients for your growing baby. These fruits attract babies’ attention owing to their color and shape. As a parent, it is natural for you to be worried about how to serve blackberries to your baby and the side effects and risks associated with it. In this article, we are going to answer all your queries and discuss the amazing benefits of this fruit as well. Stay with us till the end.

What are Blackberries?

Blackberries are an edible, juicy fruit from the Rosaceae family. These fruits generally grow in thorny bushes. Botanically, this is not a berry and is called an aggregate fruit, a bunch of small drupelets, similar to a bunch of grapes.

Many times, people get confused with blackberry and raspberry, but the difference is very interesting. In blackberries, the stem remains with the fruit while picking; on the other hand, raspberries are without stem, making a small hollow core on the fruit.

Blackberries are rich in dietary fiber, antioxidants, vitamin E, and micronutrients like calcium and magnesium. They have phytonutrients that help prevent diseases like Alzheimer’s and dementia. Blackberries look very attractive for their shiny black color, and the anthocyanins present in this fruit are the reason behind it.

When Can My Baby Start Eat Blackberries?

The newborns need a tiny amount of liquid food and are totally dependent on breastfeeding. But with gradual development, you must introduce semi-solid and solid foods to your baby. You can include blackberries in your little one’s diet when they can eat semi-solid foods.

Try feeding them blackberry purée in small amounts to be with. You can gradually offer tiny pieces when they start to use their gums to chew. But be cautious about the size of the berry pieces, as they can choke them.

Usually, at the age of 6 to 7 months, you can start introducing this fruit to your baby. Be observant of signs of allergies, such as rashes. If this happens, you must consult the doctor immediately.

Top 10 Health Benefits of Blackberries For Babies

A bunch of blackberries can provide excellent benefits to your baby. The essential nutrients help boost immunity and keep your baby away from illnesses. Let us find out the advantages of blackberries.

1. Antioxidant Properties

As soon as your baby comes into contact with the external world, their body starts fighting with the adverse factors of the environment. Antioxidants reduce the cell damage caused by free radicals. Blackberries are rich in antioxidants like flavonoids, phenolic acids, flavanols. Therefore, they protect your infant’s body from oxidative damages.

2. Prevent Cancer

Blackberries have a lot of essential micronutrients in them, which are vital for your baby’s immune system. The anti-carcinogenic properties of these micronutrients prevent the rapid development of malignant cells, which can cause cancer. Blackberries reduce the risk of colon cancer, lung cancer, and esophageal cancer.

3. Rich Source of Phytochemicals

The absence of phytochemicals has no significant effect on the normal functioning of our body. But studies suggest that these chemicals, particularly anthocyanins and flavanols, have an effect on mammalian cells which, in turn, have a positive impact on human health and disease prevention.

4. Excellent Source of Vitamin C

Blackberries are excellent sources of vitamin C, providing nearly half the daily requirement of an adult. Therefore, regular consumption of this fruit can fulfill the vitamin C requirement of your baby. This vitamin is beneficial for healing wounds, improving skin quality, preventing common coughs and colds, and good for oral health too.

5. Rich in Vitamin-K

A good amount of vitamin-K or Phytonadione is found in blackberries. The absence or deficiency of this vitamin can lead to uncontrolled bleeding or prevent thrombosis. And, this situation can turn critical. Moreover, vitamin K promotes a strong bone structure in your growing champion.

6. Improve Immune System

Regular consumption of blackberries, in the form of purée or juice, can boost your baby’s immune system drastically. As per reports, the ingredients present in blackberries increase lymphocyte responsiveness, which is a natural fighter against the adverse effects of normal diseases.

[Read : How to Increase Immunity In Babies]

7. Improve the Functioning of the Digestive System

Blackberries are known for their high dietary fiber content. The soluble and non-soluble fibers offer multiple benefits to babies. They help in your baby’s weight gain and aid in regular bowel movements and digestion.

8. Beneficial For the Heart

Blackberries are rich in flavanols like anthocyanins. These compounds prevent arteries from clogging and improve blood circulation. As the arteries do not have any obstacles, the heart does not have to work harder to circulate blood throughout the body. In turn, the heart remains in a healthy condition.

9. Beneficial For Brain Health

Studies have proven that the chemical compounds found in blackberries can improve brain health and prevent memory loss in an aged person. The antioxidants present in this berry boost the functioning of the nervous system of babies.

10. Good For Bone and Eye Health

The calcium and magnesium content in blackberries makes this fruit very beneficial for the bone and skeletal development of your baby. Moreover, this has an impressive positive impact on the eye health of your little one as well. Therefore, it is always suggested to include this fruit in your baby’s food menu.

[Read : Strawberries For Babies]

Allergy and Other Risks of Consuming Blackberries

Any kind of food can be allergenic, and it depends on the acceptance level of your child’s body, says the American Academy of Pediatrics (APA). But fortunately, blackberries are not on that list. Still, the raw form of berries can cause allergies due to the presence of pesticide residue in them.

You must keep a close eye on any kind of reaction like,

Itching
Hives
Skin
Swelling on lip or tongue
Sneezing
Trouble and pain when swallowing
Upset stomach
Vomiting
Nausea

All these are symptoms of allergic reactions caused by different reasons. If you notice any of these symptoms after feeding blackberries to your baby, consult your doctor immediately.

How Can I Serve Blackberries to My Baby?

Generally, after six months of age, babies start swallowing semi-solid foods or purées. Therefore, you can introduce blackberries in the form of purée after your baby crosses this age fence. And when she reaches 8 to 9 months, tiny pieces of this juicy fruit will make your little one happy. But do not give any oversized pieces or allow them to eat without supervision to avoid choking incidents.

Blackberry Fruits are always health-friendly, and nature has endowed them with nutrients and vitamins. This fruit is easily available, and your baby can enjoy any form of this fruit, be it purée or pieces. How does your baby love this fruit? Have you included blackberries in your baby’s diet? Share your thoughts in the comment section.

[Read : 7-Month Baby Food : What to Give and What Not to Give]

FAQ’s

1. Can Babies Eat Blackberries? Is it Safe For Them?

Yes, blackberries have a lot of nutritional value and are beneficial for your baby. The fruit has no side effects and therefore, is safe for babies.

2. Is There Any Risk of Choking if I Give Blackberries to My Baby?

The shape and size of the fruit and your baby’s age matter most when you introduce any food to your baby. Avoid giving large pieces to your baby and if she is 6 months old, it is recommended to give blackberry purée.

3. How Common is the Blackberry Allergy in Babies?

The instances of child allergy due to is rare. But the pesticide residue on the skin of berries can cause certain allergies.

4. Can I Give Pieces of Blackberries to My 7-Month-Old Baby?

Yes, you can, but please ensure the pieces are small, and your baby can chew or swallow them.