Raw liver to babies/children

[bright_eyes]

In both Nourishing Traditions and Real Food for Babies, the authors say to give raw liver to babies for the iron. I am really hesitant to give my baby raw liver. I know they safe it is fine but I still worry about him getting sick from it.

Does anyone give their baby or child raw liver? How do you prepare it for them?

I was thinking about giving some to my 3 year old as I'm not sure he is getting enough iron but I cannot see him accepting that as he's become quite picky. How do you get your kids to eat it?

[mbravebird]

I didn't know NT said to do it, but I give both my baby and my child raw liver. My older son takes it like me, popping the frozen liver "pills", and one day when I was giving them to us I just gave it to the baby, seeing if he'd take it. He was about 8 months old, and he chewed it right up. I gave him some frozen blueberries with it, thinking that might cut the taste, but since then he's also eaten it by itself. I think he likes it better with frozen blueberries, though.

My six year old can do the pills, which is so nice. He learned when he was about 4 -- do you think your 3 year old could learn?

The liver has been so beneficial for my 6yo. He had some B vitamin deficiency from some heavy-duty meds he took a couple of years ago, and the liver really makes a difference in his mood and overall emotional stability. Mine too! Whatever that "mystery factor" of raw liver is, it seems to work for both of us.

[Gale Force]

I don't think iron is particularly heat-sensitive, so cooked liver should be fine for iron. Most of the B vitamins are somewhat heat-sensitive but the liver won't be devoid of them. I haven't given my toddler raw liver but I do make a liver/rice puree for him.

[bright_eyes]

Originally Posted by Gale Force

I don't think iron is particularly heat-sensitive, so cooked liver should be fine for iron. Most of the B vitamins are somewhat heat-sensitive but the liver won't be devoid of them. I haven't given my toddler raw liver but I do make a liver/rice puree for him.

Do you have a recipe for your liver/rice puree?