When your little bundle of joy turns six months, you should introduce him to a variety of foods other than breast milk. This usually coincides with the time your baby starts to sprout her first teeth. Switching to newer foods will provide him with all the vitamins and nutrients he needs for healthy growth and proper development. You may not be able to control the urge to introduce your baby to all tongue friendly food items that you enjoy most, and if you are one hard ice-cream lover, you will be tempted to introduce this tasty haven to the star of your eyes. But be patient. The little one may resemble you and your tastes but not his organ systems. More details related to your baby’s first ice cream is given below.
baby's first ice cream
When Can my baby have his First Ice Cream?
When your baby enjoy ice cream?
Why should you wait to give your baby’s First Ice Cream?
Is It Safe For My Baby To Have An It Once In A While?
Why Is It Unsafe For Children Below One Year?
What Are The Alternatives For An Ice-cream For My Baby?

When Can my baby have his First Ice Cream?

Baby’s first ice cream can have after the age of 1 Year, as it is a dairy product. Though it is dairy products made from whole milk and cream and also pasteurized to remove bacteria present in it, babies can still be sensitive to milk minerals, proteins, and other ingredients present in it.
According to the Some Reports to Healthy Eating, foods and drinks items such as ice cream and other ice confections should be avoided for baby because they are poor sources of nutrients. However, it is better to introduce ice cream to your baby in moderation after consulting with your pediatrician and give them occasionally to the baby and not regularly to them.

When your baby enjoy ice cream?

It is better to wait till your baby age is at least one year to give baby’s first ice cream. After one year, You can give your baby’s first ice cream in a little bit to taste of it before then but do might have issues with the delectable dairy product for their little bodies.

Why should you wait to give your baby’s First Ice Cream?

Generally, traditional ice cream is high in sugar and fat contained in it. Many commercial brands also add preservatives, food colouring and various other artificial ingredients to the ice creams. These artificial ingredients are unhealthy for your growing newborn baby.
Dairy products are also difficult for babies to digest them, and baby will develop sensitivities to those ingredients. Dairy products, especially from whole milk, is a major cause of tummy problems for your baby, which can go to the whole night crying session for you and your baby.
Ice cream is also susceptible to bacterial build-up. In recent days, Listeria and other bacterial outbreaks have hit ice cream brands. The pasteurization process, which kills most of the bacteria and makes ice cream safe mostly, but it’s better to be cautious with this ice cream for your baby. So wait to give your baby’s first ice cream.
Even after your baby turns one year also, only give Ice Cream sparingly. The sweet treat increases the risk of tooth decay, obesity, and fondness for sweets in the future days. Make sure that they know ice cream is a treat for some special occasions, not an everyday eating thing.

Is It Safe For My Baby To Have An It Once In A While?

It is not recommended to introduce your baby’s first ice cream before his first birthday, at least. But you need not get alarmed if your little one takes a lick from his beloved brother’s cone. However, warn the elder ones against giving your little one ice cream even if it is just very little. Because once your little one gets the taste and smell of this desert, he will start to demand whenever the grownups have it or even during your baby’s day out (never underestimate him). So take the time to give your baby’s first ice cream.

Why Is It Unsafe For Children Below One Year?

There are several reasons that make ice cream unsafe for children who have not celebrated their first birthday yet.

  • Ice-creams are loaded with sugar and fat: Sugar and fat are not recommended for babies, especially before they turn one year old. A great liking for sweet-tasting food develops at an early age if he is introduced to ice cream
  • Ice-creams are low in nutrients: Eating ice cream which is low in nutrients and generally possesses high energy (as it is loaded with sugar and fat) will affect the child’s natural appetite and he will refuse to have other nutrients rich food that you include in his daily menu. This can affect his health
  • Additives: Additives and colouring agents that are contained in ice-creams can invite allergic reactions and health problems and are not ideal for the babies
  • Some ice-creams contain nuts or ingredients made from the nuts: If a baby has an allergic condition like eczema or any of the family member (siblings, father, mother, grandparents, uncles or aunts) has a nut allergy, it is not a wise decision to give him ice cream containing nut or ingredients made from nuts
  • Egg content: Some ice creams contain egg as the main ingredient. The egg white contains four proteins that can cause allergy range from mild to severe in babies below 12 months. read more on giving eggs to the baby
  • Ice cream is a dairy product: Ice-creams are generally made from whole cream or whole milk. Even if it is pasteurized to remove bacteria, negligence in storing the ice cream can develop reactions in the baby. This can be because:
    • Giving whole milk products for babies under 12 months is not recommended. This is mainly because the whole milk products can’t be completely digested by babies below 12 months
    • Their immature kidneys cannot handle the high concentration of protein and minerals present in the whole milk
    • In some babies, the protein present in the whole milk products are found to irritate the lining of the digestive system leading to blood in the stool
  • Ice cream vendors: Ice-creams made and sold by roadside vendors are not at all recommended even if your child is old enough to have ice cream. You cannot be sure of their safety and hygiene level. Also:
    • Keep your child away from soft-serve ice-cream from machines. The ice cream in the machines can become contaminated with Listeria, a type of bacterium present in contaminated food resulting in food poison if the tubes on the machine are not kept perfectly clean
    • The ice cream made and sold by vendors may have bacteria build-up due to the unhygienic condition where they made the ice-cream or the poor quality of water and ingredients, especially low-grade colour and preservatives they use. This could cause an infection in the baby’s digestive system and could be dangerous
    • Ice cream coming in mobile trucks may not have proper storage facilities. This will result in developing dangerous bacteria in ice-cream.

Baby eating ice cream

What Are The Alternatives For An Ice-cream For My Baby?

Being an intelligent mother, you can always find a healthy alternative for most of the unhealthy food habits of your child. Instead of ice cream, introduce your child to:

  • Keep ripened banana, mango, apple or whatever fruits you wish (check with your doctor the possibility of allergies that some fruits can cause) in the freezer till it freezes. Now crush it with a blender. A healthy substitute for ice cream is ready. Blueberry can offer attractive colour when added to frozen banana during crushing
  • Whipped fresh fruit smoothies are also good. As this need not be refrigerated, you can give your child even if the weather is cold. Always use fresh fruit. Canned fruits should be strictly avoided
  • Frozen yogurt is an easy and healthy substitute for ice cream