Be careful when choosing ingredients
For children under 2 years old, the digestive system is not yet complete, so nutritionists always recommend that mothers should minimize refined sugar, unpasteurized animal milk or food additives.
According to Dr. Sarah Almond, a pediatric nutritionist at Seattle Children's Hospital (USA): "Children under 2 years old should avoid foods with added sugar. Homemade ice cream with natural fruits and breast milk or formula is a great choice, both nutritious and helping your baby get used to the true flavor of food.
A simple recipe shared by many mothers is to puree the ripe banana with a little butter or mango, diluting it with breast milk or formula, then pour it into the mold to make ice cream. After just a few hours in the ice closet, you have a smooth, sugar-free, chemical-free fruit ice cream, safe for babies aged 6 months and over.
The wonderful thing about making ice cream at home is that mothers can "transform" a variety of seasonal ingredients: strawberries, blueberries, red dragon fruit, watermelon... As long as the fruit is fresh, not covered with pesticides, thoroughly washed and chopped, the baby can completely taste it.
Dr. Sarah also advised: This is an ideal way to introduce new foods to your baby without putting pressure. The feeling of trying on a popsicle made by your baby will create excitement and help your baby learn to eat more naturally.
In addition, making ice cream with your baby, whether just to let the baby see the mother prepare it, or try to touch the ice cream mold, is also a way to stimulate senses and connect feelings.
Note
Although it is a simple dish, making ice cream for children under 2 years old still requires compliance with the principles of food safety:
Don't use honey: Although it is a natural sweetener, honey can cause botulinum poisoning in children under 1 year old.
Do not use fresh milk before 1 year: If mixed with milk, only use breast milk or formula according to the right age.
Fruits that need to be carefully checked for allergies: Make sure your baby has no history of allergies to the ingredients you are using.
Do not add sugar, salt or synthetic flavors: The sweetness of ripe fruit is enough for the baby's taste buds.
