Are you a first-time parent? Or maybe you have forgotten the basic first steps for baby development. Have no worries! This guide will help you understand the first step of introducing semi-solid foods to your infant.

The recommended age for introducing semi-solid foods to a baby is 4 to 6 months. One of the earliest foods to start off with are bananas, which may be introduced to the baby’s diet by 4 months. This is because bananas have a squishy texture that makes it easy to munch on by your toothless infant with their soft gums. However, due to bananas being associated with Latex allergies and sensitivities, you must consult your pediatrician before feeding your child a banana, or any given food on that account.

Banana baby food is one of the earliest foods introduced to babies by parents. Their smooth textures and sweetness becomes instantly a mouth savoring meal for your infant. Bananas can be introduced to a baby when they are 4 to 6 months old, and the potassium-rich fruit can bring creaminess to other purees. You can also mix it with yogurt for your child.

To make this your ideal first baby food, follow this easy recipe:

Ingredients

• 1 ripe banana
• pint of water, or breast milk (or formula)

Method

1. Peal open the banana.

2. Cut in small cubes in a bowl.

3. With a fork, mash the banana into a creamy texture.

4. Depending on your baby’s age
   and their stage, you can add liquid to the mashed banana to smoothen it further.  Mix breast or formula milk for starters.

Some tips for banana baby food:

• Leftover banana food can be refrigerated in BPA-free containers for the baby for up to 3 days.
• You can freeze baby banana food as well and be fed within 3 months. Thaw the frozen banana and place it in the refrigerator a night before needed. However, do taste and check the food before passing it to your child.
• Bananas contain various nutrients that are believed to be needed by humans for survival. Some nutrients in a banana include potassium, fiber, vitamin C, and vitamin B. Potassium is rich in bananas, which aids in the prevention of high blood pressure, and atherosclerosis. Bananas also form a lining in the intestines to aid in digestion. This makes it an ideal fruit for babies and young children.
• Always choose a banana for an infant with blemish-free and pure yellow peels. Green peels will mean the banana is under ripe and hard, and a banana with too many brown spots means that it is past its prime.
• Wash the banana with three part water mixed in one part white vinegar to remove bacteria fully. Rinse it under cool running water. Let the banana dry, and then peel it for use. You should discard the ends of the banana with the peel.
• Make the banana chunkier when the baby is 10 months old, and you can do that with a potato masher. This will aid the baby in chewing with any tooth they have grown by this time.
• Mix strawberries, avocado, plums, pears, applesauce, oatmeal, yogurt, peach, cherries or blueberries to the banana puree to make it even more delicious.