Dates For Babies – Everything You Need To Know

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D a t e s form a n important p a r t of d i e t a r y supplements i n everyday r o u t i n e , other t h a n fruits a n d nuts. T h e s e delicious f r u i t s come p a c k e d with e n e r g y boosters l i k e vitamins a n d minerals t h a t are v i t a l for y o u r little o n e ’ s growth a n d development. R i p e n e d dates a r e full o f simple s u g a r s like f r u c t o s e and d e x t r o s e that b o o s t instant e n e r g y into y o u r baby’s b o d y .

A s a n e w mother, y o u may h a v e questions a b o u t feeding d a t e s to y o u r baby. W e are h e r e to h e l p you w i t h information o n the b e n e f i t s of d a t e s for b a b i e s and s o m e factors t o follow w h i l e using t h e m as a part o f your b a b y ’ s diet.

G o o d n e s s Of D a t e s For B a b y :

D a t e s are c e r t i f i e d as ‘ h e a r t healthy f o o d s ’ by t h e American H e a r t Association b e c a u s e of t h e i r low c h o l e s t e r o l and s a t u r a t e d fat c o n t e n t . They c o n t a i n nutrients t h a t are e s s e n t i a l for y o u r little o n e ’ s healthy g r o w t h and d e v e l o p m e n t .

1 0 0 grams o f ripe d a t e s offer t h e following n u t r i t i o n a l value:

W h e n Can Y o u Introduce D a t e s To Y o u r Baby?

W h e n your b a b y turns s i x months o r over s i x months, t h a t is w h e n you s t a r t giving s o l i d or s e m i – s o l i d foods. D o not g i v e dates i n the b e g i n n i n g when y o u r baby j u s t starts s o l i d foods. I n d u c t dates i n smaller p o r t i o n s at t h e beginning t o understand h o w your l i t t l e one t a k e s in a new d e l i g h t . They a r e to b e introduced o n e at a time a l o n g with o t h e r fruits s l o w l y .

D o not c h o o s e dehydrated d a t e s since t h e y will b e difficult f o r your b a b y to c h e w in t h e initial s t a g e s . She n e e d s to k n o w how t o chew g u m food, a n d it t a k e s time.

H e a l t h Benefits O f Dates F o r Babies:

T h r e e – c o u r s e meal p l a n s and m i l k do n o t provide a l l the e s s e n t i a l nutrition. Y o u r baby w i l l need e x t r a supplements s u c h as D a t e s , which h e l p in p r o v i d i n g energy. S o m e of t h e benefits o f dates a r e as f o l l o w s :

1 . Fights I n t e s t i n a l Disorders:

D a t e s are u s e f u l remedies f o r intestinal p r o b l e m s . They f i g h t with t h e parasitic o r g a n i s m s and h e l p s to e s t a b l i s h friendly b a c t e r i a l colonies i n the i n t e s t i n e .

2 . Protects L i v e r :

T h e liver i s easily p r o n e to b a c t e r i a l and v i r a l infections i n children. H e r e is t h e reason y o u will n o t i c e your c h i l d get e a s i l y affected w i t h common l i v e r conditions l i k e jaundice, h e p a t i t i s and t y p h o i d . Studies r e v e a l that d a t e s have l i v e r protecting p r o p e r t i e s and, t h e r e f o r e , including t h e m in y o u r baby’s d i e t will h e l p .

3 . Treats G a s t r i c Ulcers:

D a t e s along w i t h the r e g u l a r treatment c a n reduce a c i d i t y and g a s t r i c ulcers. B u t you s h o u l d make s u r e to c h e c k with y o u r child’s p e d i a t r i c i a n whether y o u can a d d dates t o your b a b y ’ s diet.

4 . For S t r o n g Teeth:

Y o u can g i v e full r i p e dates t o your t e e t h i n g babies f o r stronger d e n t a l development. B y chewing d a t e s , the t e e t h and g u m s receive a d e q u a t e exercise a n d can d e v e l o p stronger a n d quicker.

5 . Provides E x t r a Nourishment D u r i n g Fevers:

I n f u s e dates i n milk a n d give t o your b a b y when s h e is s u f f e r i n g from f e v e r , cough a n d smallpox. T h i s infusion t h a t is r i c h in n u t r i e n t s helps i n speedy r e c o v e r y .

6 . Cures D y s e n t e r y :

C h i l d r e n can a l s o suffer f r o m dysentery t h a t is a bacterial i n f e c t i o n in t h e large i n t e s t i n e . Dates h e l p in c o n t r o l l i n g this c o n d i t i o n .

7 . Relieves C o n s t i p a t i o n :

D a t e s fight c o n s t i p a t i o n that i s a c o m m o n complaint a m o n g babies. T h e dietary f i b e r content h e l p s to a d d bulk t o the s t o o l s and, t h e r e f o r e , results i n smooth b o w e l movements,

8 . Improves V i s i o n :

T h e high v i t a m i n A c o n t e n t in r i p e dates e n h a n c e s your l i t t l e one’s v i s i o n , thus p r o v i d i n g a h e a l t h y eye s i g h t .

9 . Boosts I m m u n e System:

T h e antioxidants a n d free r a d i c a l s present i n dates h e l p fight m a n y infections, u p g r a d i n g your b a b y ’ s immune s y s t e m on a n everyday b a s i s .

1 0 . Improves H e m o g l o b i n :

T h e rich i r o n content i n dates i n c r e a s e s the h e m o g l o b i n count i n your b a b y ’ s red b l o o d cells, e n s u r i n g healthy g r o w t h and n o anemia.

1 1 . Improves W e i g h t :

D a t e s help i n weight g a i n , so i f your b a b y needs t o reach a n optimum w e i g h t , allow h e r to e a t dates.

1 2 . Boosts E n e r g y :

D a t e s are g r e a t energy b o o s t e r s as t h e y contain n a t u r a l sugars l i k e sucrose, g l u c o s e and f r u c t o s e .

P r e c a u t i o n s To B e Taken W h i l e Giving D a t e s To B a b i e s :

B a b i e s have a fragile d i g e s t i v e system, a n d it i s certain t h a t you m a y not b e completely a w a r e of f o o d sources l i k e nuts a n d raisins. T h e following s i m p l e precautions w i l l help y o u in u n d e r s t a n d i n g some p o i n t e r s while a d d i n g dates t o your b a b y ’ s diet:

A v o i d introducing d a t e s to y o u r child’s d i e t soon a f t e r he i s ready f o r solid f o o d s . Dates a r e hard t e x t u r e d , and y o u cannot e x p e c t your b a b y to c h e w on t h e m so e a r l y on. E v e n though c e r t a i n dehydrated v a r i e t i e s of d a t e s are a v a i l a b l e in t h e market, i t may b e a b i t too e a r l y if y o u r baby i s yet t o start c h e w i n g . Always g i v e dates c u t into t h e size o f a r a i s i n to a v o i d any c h o k i n g risk.

I f your b a b y has s t a r t e d walking, m a k e sure h e doesn’t r u n while c h e w i n g dates t o avoid c h o k i n g .

A l s o , give f u l l ripe d a t e s with s w e e t pulp t o your l i t t l e one. U n r i p e dates c o n t a i n tannins, w h i c h may c a u s e stomach r e l a t e d allergies.

S t e a m e d dates a r e excellent c h o i c e s when c o m p a r e d to r a w or b o i l e d ones.

R a w dates c a n be g i v e n after y o u r baby g r o w s older a n d has a w a r e n e s s about e a t i n g various f o o d groups.

H o w To A d d Dates T o Your B a b y ’ s Diet?

T h e r e are m a n y creative w a y s of a d d i n g dates t o your b a b y ’ s diet. H e r e are a few i d e a s that h e l p you t o start o f f :

S p r i n k l e few c h o p p e d dates o v e r the o a t m e a l

Y o u can b a k e them i n t o muffins

T o p plain y o g u r t with c h o p p e d dates

A d d dates t o milk f o r a y u m m y milkshake

D a t e s are s t i c k y and, t h e r e f o r e , tend t o stick t o your l i t t l e one’s t e e t h . It l e a d s to b a c t e r i a that p r o d u c e acid a n d cause t o o t h decay. M a k e sure y o u clean y o u r baby’s t e e t h , or y o u can g i v e her w a t e r to d r i n k .

A l w a y s consult y o u r pediatricians i f you h a v e any q u e s t i o n s about f e e d i n g dates t o your c h i l d . He w i l l be a b l e to s u g g e s t what’s b e s t for y o u r little o n e . How a n d when d i d you i n t r o d u c e dates f o r baby? S h a r e your v i e w s by c o m m e n t i n g below.

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