How to Feed Infants Blueberries
Blueberries are a nutritious and tasty snack food for infants that can be served and stored easily. Blueberries are typically safe beginning between the ages of six to eight months and have no relation to allergenic berries such as strawberries or raspberries, which can trigger reactions in infants less than one-year-old. Blueberries can be modified to reduce choking hazards or give relief to teething infants.
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Instructions
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Select organic blueberries that are a deep blue, plump and not bruised or mushy. Because of blueberries' lack of peeling and thin skin, purchasing organic can help guarantee that harmful pesticides have not contaminated the fruit.
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Wash the blueberries thoroughly to remove any grime or pieces of stem.
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Place the blueberries on a clean cutting board and slice larger blueberries into halves or quarters to reduce choking hazards. Serving chilled blueberries can be soothing to a teething infant. To serve chilled blueberries, place them in the freezer for 20 minutes, remove, slice and serve.
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Scatter the blueberries or blueberry pieces across your infant's clean highchair top or other eating surface. Spreading out the fruit helps assure the infant will eat safely sized individual portions instead of handfuls at one time.
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Monitor your baby during consumption to make sure your infant isn't exceeding one blueberry at one time or showing signs of an allergic reaction. Although allergic reactions are uncommon with infants six months or older, swollen or itchy eyelids, lips or skin are symptoms of sensitivity. Contact a physician immediately if an allergic reaction occurs.
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Store fresh blueberries in a bag or container in your refrigerator for up to one week, or freeze using vacuum sealable bags for up to three months.
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Tips & Warnings
Because blueberries can cause "the runs" when consumed in high amounts or in infant's with sensitive digestive tracts, check with your infant's physician for personalized serving instructions.
References
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