As your baby grows, you will want to introduce new foods and textures to their diet. The World Health Organisation recommends introducing solids no earlier than 6 months old. But trust us, we know how hard it can be to come up with new recipes and ideas that are both baby-safe and nutritious! That’s why we decided to put this blog together to help make introducing solids an enjoyable experience. These recipes have been designed to use with our best selling Haakaa Fresh Food Feeder and Silicone Nibble Trays.

1. Nutrient boost: fruits and vegetables are packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can help boost your baby's immune system and support healthy growth and development.
2. Texture exploration: Fruits offer a range of textures, from soft and smooth to crunchy and juicy, that can help your baby develop their chewing and swallowing skills.
3. Flavour exploration: Introducing a variety of fruits can help your baby develop a taste for different flavours and can help prevent picky eating habits later on.
4. Soothing: Some fruits can be frozen to create cold, soothing treats that can help ease teething discomfort.

These recipes for frozen fruity teething treats are easy to make and can be customised to your baby's tastes. Here's what you'll need:

Ingredients:

• 1 ripe banana
• 1 cup of frozen berries (blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, or a mix)
• 1/2 cup of plain yogurt

Method:

1. Peel the banana and break it into chunks. Place the chunks into a blender or food processor, or simply mask with a fork.
2. Add the frozen berries and yogurt
3. Blend the ingredients until smooth and well combined.
4. Scoop the mixture of treats into the freezer-safe Haakaa Pineapple Nibble Tray until ready to use.
5. Pop the little fruity block into the Teether Feeder.

Ingredients:

• 1 medium-sized sweet potato
• 1 apple
• 1 teaspoon of cinnamon

Method:

1. Preheat your oven to 180°C.
2. Peel the sweet potato and chop it into small pieces.
3. Core and chop the apple into small pieces.
4. In a small bowl, mix the sweet potato, apple, and cinnamon.
5. Spread the mixture onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
6. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the sweet potato is soft and the apple is tender.
7. Blend or mash the sweet potato or apple into a mixture
8. Once cooled, place the bites into the silicone Pineapple Nibble Tray and freeze until solid.
9. Whenever you’re ready, just pop one out and place it into the Teether Feeder for bub to enjoy.

Ingredients:

• 1 mango
• 1 banana
• 1/2 cup of coconut milk

Method:

1. Peel and chop the mango and banana into small pieces.
2. Place the fruit and coconut milk into a blender and blend until smooth.
3. Pour the mixture straight into Teether Feeder and freeze until solid.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of fresh or frozen blueberries
• 1 cup of fresh spinach leaves
• 1/2 cup of plain Greek yogurt
• 1/4 cup of water

Method:

1. Place all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth.
2. Pour the mixture into your Haakaa Pineapple Nibble Tray and freeze until solid.
3. Once frozen, pop the smoothie cubes out of the Pineapple Nibble Tray and use it with your Teether Feeder once you’re ready.

When introducing new foods to your baby, it's important to follow a few simple tips to ensure that the process is safe and enjoyable for both you and your baby. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

First things first - try new foods during the day to avoid any spit-ups or upset tummies and in order to monitor any possible allergic reactions. Monitoring their reactions to foods during the day is much easier than introducing new foods in the evening before bedtime.

Another tip? Introduce one new food at a time, and wait a few days before introducing another new food. This can help you identify any potential allergies or sensitivities. Start with small portions and gradually increase as your baby gets used to the new food. Offer a variety of textures and flavours to help your baby develop a taste for different foods. Don't force your baby to eat if they're not interested. Offer the food again at a later time or try a different food. Stay positive and encouraging, and make mealtimes a fun and relaxed experience for both you and your baby.

Introducing fruits and veg to your baby's diet can be a fun and exciting way to support their growth and development. By trying out new fruits and freezing them into cold, soothing treats, you can also help ease teething discomfort. With these easy recipes and a few simple tips, you can start exploring the world of fruits with your baby and watch them grow into healthy, adventurous eaters. But remember, food before one is just for fun! It is still highly recommended and advised to continue breastfeeding or bottle feeding your bub with milk with breastmilk or formula as their key source of nutrition. If you’d like to explore other options, definitely consult your healthcare provider for individualised care and advice.