Should a 6 month old baby be fed raw pureed carrots?

[PoetryLover]

I'm asking this question because DH wants to puree raw carrots for 6 month old DS. I suggested he steam them first. I've never heard of anyone pureeing raw vegetables for a baby. DH pointed out that raw vegetables are healthier than cooked vegetables. But I've heard that raw veggies can be harder for a baby to digest.

Who is right?

[Youngfrankenstein]

I don't see any reason that wouldn't work. We never gave our babe any purees at all so her first carrots were whole baby carrots fished out of homemade chicken soup.

[alegna]

how well do raw carrots puree? Why not pick a softer raw food? Avocado or banana are good starting foods and can be given in chunks for baby to self feed. Also there is some info that carrots should be delayed a touch due to the nitrate content.

-Angela

[SunRise]

My intuition also says to steam them first. I think they would be easier to digest like that.

(I was also considering carrots for my babe and thinking of steaming them first; as far as nutrients go, some veggies lose nutrients, others release more after being steamed, but at this stage babe is still getting most nutrients from nursing or formula)

[snoopy5386]

I would steam them. My DD1 could not eat and swallow carrots until sometime after age 2ish? She loved them - she would chew and chew and chew the baby carrots and then spit it all out. I've seen other kids do the same with raw carrot.

[Snapdragon]

I don't think raw would puree enough for a baby to eat! I also don't think steamed carrots would be less healthy than raw for a baby. Pureed carrots is something I am planning to give my ds when he is ready for food!

[cristeen]

If you're looking for a smooth puree, you're going to have to cook them first. They're just too hard for that - you'll either get chunky or juice. That being said, raw carrots were onE of the first things i gave my little guy- he used them as teethers.

[ellairiesmom]

i thought carrots were the 1 food that we were supposed to buy in the "baby food" format because of the nitrates?

[mommy2maya]

Originally Posted by snoopy5386

I would steam them. My DD1 could not eat and swallow carrots until sometime after age 2ish? She loved them - she would chew and chew and chew the baby carrots and then spit it all out. I've seen other kids do the same with raw carrot.

my 2yr3m toddler still does this.

[JudiAU]

I wouldn't. Raw carrots are pretty hard on the tummy I don't have a strong opinion oxn purees or chunks (done both) but I think it is a bad idea at that age. Either wait awhile and do baby led weaning or do real purees at that young age.

[JudiAU]

Carrots and spinach are commonly high In nitrates but the "you must buy as tested baby food" opinion has been withdrawn. Just buy carrots and the like from a variety of sources, I.e. Not all from your garden or a single farm etc.

[Knitting Mama]

If he's only 6 months old then the adage, "under 1 just for fun" applies. It doesn't matter as much if they have more nutrients raw, because he's eating to experiment right now, not for her basic nutrition.

[carmel23]

Originally Posted by alegna

how well do raw carrots puree? Why not pick a softer raw food? Avocado or banana are good starting foods and can be given in chunks for baby to self feed. Also there is some info that carrots should be delayed a touch due to the nitrate content.

-Angela

:

[GoldenOne_DH]

So what we did was steam an entire bag of carrots until they were nice and soft and puree with about 6 oz. of pure breast milk. Good stuff and DS loves it.
DW and I this morning after seeing the responses to this thread, did a little research and overwhelmingly found that after 6 months, the digestive tract is fully developed and there is nothing to fear regarding nitrate poisoning after 4-5 months. The biggest nitrate threat to babies is well-water quality.
I have to say thank you to the posters that even brought this to our attention as it was something we had not previously considered! So thanks!
As it turns out, I feel pretty good about feeding this to him. And the added benefit of the breast milk is another plus!

[ellairiesmom]

awesome info here. question...what device is your fav for pureeing? i have one of those magic bullet sets, a food processor & a blender.

[PoetryLover]

ellaireiesmom, from what we read, processed baby food also has nitrates; the companies just have a way to measure the nitrates. Other vegetables, such as spinach, green beans, collard greens, squash and beets also have nitrates. But, again, after 6 months of age babies can digest them and the nitrate content doesn't pose a threat. ... Pertaining to your other question, I'm unsure what a Magic Bullet Set is. Right now we only have a food processor so that is what we used. It worked really well.

Thanks so much for everyone who responded. We've never heard anything about nitrates, and am glad we waited until 6 months of age to start sampling solids.

You ladies, ROCK!