Butternut Squash For Babies – When to Introduce, Benefits and Precautions

When Can You Introduce Butternut Squash to Your Baby?

At around 6 months of age, babies become ready to eat solid fruits. This is a good time to introduce butternut squash to your baby. Alternatively, you can introduce this fruit once your baby becomes ready for solids. However, you can always consult a pediatrician to see if your baby is truly ready for this fruit. Every baby progresses at its own pace.

Nutritional Value of Butternut Squash

One cup (250 gms) of cooked and sliced butternut squash will have the below-mentioned nutrients in their respective quantities.

Amazing Top 5 Health Benefits of Butternut Squash For Babies

Here’s a glimpse into the amazing benefits of butternut squash for babies;

1. Packed With Essential Vitamins and Nutrients

When your baby is about 6 months old, their body is rapidly growing and developing. At this time, they need a great deal of nurturing. Vitamins A, B, C and E which are found in this fruit make it one of the healthiest purees for infants. Aside from that, minerals such as potassium and magnesium provide even more nourishment.

Vitamin A helps in the sound growth of cells, boosts immunity and makes your baby’s eyes and bones healthy. Moreover, your darling will be full of natural energy because of vitamin B.

2. Antimicrobial Qualities

Butternut squash largely brings down the number of diseases that occur due to bacteria and viruses. Moreover, this fruit will shield your little one against fungal infections.

3. Anti-Inflammatory Properties

The powerful antioxidants of butternut squash minimize the types of inflammation in a baby’s body. This is because of the omega-3 fatty acids – the presence of these antioxidants helps your baby’s body to fight free radicals. And this results in the protection of cells from damage.

4. Aids in the Process of Digestion

The fiber content in butternut squash makes the digestion process robust and smooth. Your baby will have no troubles while passing poop. Moreover, the frequency of constipation will significantly diminish. Fiber-rich fruits will continue to be very nutritious for the body even if your baby grows and hits the age milestones. So, you can always serve them butternut squash in one form or the other.

5. Enhances Eyesight and Immunity

Beta-carotene and Vitamin A are considered extremely vital for the improvement of one’s vision. And butternut squash is a good source of these crucial nutrients. Aside from that, it contains Vitamins A and C which are necessary for your infant’s immune system. These nutrients will assist your baby’s body to heal wounds and repair damaged tissues.

[Read : How to Increase Immunity in Babies?]

Precautions to Take While Introducing Butternut Squash to Babies

Here are a few pointers to keep in mind when introducing and feeding this fruit to your baby.

• Steam, bake or roast the butternut squash before including it in your recipes.
• Whatever method you’re using, simply see if the cooked fruit is soft enough for your baby to effortlessly break it with their emerging teeth or gums. Try to smash it by lightly pressing it with your fingers to check the softness.
• Get rid of all the hard peelings and even the small bits that are left behind. It is crucial to note that the butternut squash should be made effortless for your baby to eat. This is because the difficulties can increase the chances of a choking hazard.
• Keep all sweeteners such as honey or brown sugar away from your baby’s butternut squash recipes. It’s not good for them to intake these sweeteners in dishes till they are at least 2 years old. However, a tiny pinch of cumin, cinnamon and sage will be a thumbs up for adding flavors to the recipes.
• Babies progress at their own pace. And while it’s true that a 6-month-old baby can begin to eat this fruit, it might not be the case with all babies. Thus, take your pediatrician’s advice if your cutie is showing any difficulties after eating butternut squash.
• Serve a spoonful of butternut squash puree or any dish to your baby and watch out for 3-5 days. In case any problems show up, visit the pediatrician for advice. And if all goes well, you’re free to give more butternut squash to your cutie – although you should slowly increase the quantity.

[Read : The 3-Day Wait Rule For Babies To Introduce Solids]

Are There Any Side Effects of Butternut Squash For Babies?

The side effects and allergies of butternut squash are rare. But you should keep a close eye on the possible reactions that are easy to catch. If the below-mentioned allergies or reactions pop up minutes or a few hours later serving this fruit, it means that your baby is allergic to butternut squash.

• Itching
• Hives
• Sneezing
• Wheezing
• Swelling in skin, lip or tongue
• Difficulty breathing
• Vomiting, nausea, diarrhea or stomachache
• Difficulty while swallowing or tightness in the throat

Take your baby to a pediatrician immediately if these allergies show up.

Top 3 Healthy and Tasty Butternut Squash Recipes For Babies

Are you looking for healthy and tasty ways to introduce this fruit to your baby? We have some easy to make recipes just for you.

1. Butternut Squash Mash

Steam the butternut squash together with unsalted butter. Add a pinch of cinnamon and make a mash.

2. Butternut Squash Coconut Soup

Add some finely sauteed onion and garlic into coconut or olive oil. Drop some bite-sized pieces of butternut squash and let it simmer until the fruit becomes very soft. Blend it well and your dish is ready.

3. Butternut Squash Muffins or Pancakes

This recipe is for older babies and toddlers who are ready for finger foods. Include butternut squash within muffin butter or whole grain pancake. Follow the normal procedure of making pancakes – this time with some extra nutrition of butternut squash.

Serving yummy recipes of butternut squash for babies is a great idea to help your tot grow healthily. However, you should always let an allergist check your baby. They will tell you the types of foods that will give allergic reactions to your baby.

[Read : Finger Food For Babies]

FAQ’s

1. Is Butternut Squash Easy to Digest For Babies?

Feed butternut squash to your cutie with ease because it’s a mild fruit and a baby can effortlessly digest it.

2. Is Butternut Squash Constipating For Babies?

Butternut squash contains fiber which makes it easier for your baby to pass stool. But you shouldn’t give too much of it, otherwise, it can cause constipation.

3. Is Squash Gassy For Babies?

It sometimes is gassy for babies. But it can be avoided if served in limited or appropriate quantities.

Read Also: Pomegranate For Babies – When to Introduce, Benefits and Precautions