Of course, breast milk is very beneficial for babies. Therefore, experts recommend the first months to feed the child exclusively with this food, so that his body normally develops and begins to function. However, when the time comes for the first feeding, many young mothers have a huge number of questions. For example, they wonder at what age it is possible to give compote to children and in general whether the use of such drinks is allowed for very small crumbs. To understand this issue, it is necessary to consider in more detail the features of the impact of such a treat, its advantages and disadvantages.
Useful properties of compotes
First of all, it is worth noting that many vitamins are present in such a drink. Compotes also contain trace elements that improve the functioning of the stomach and other systems. There are vitamins A and B in the compote.
Speaking about whether it is possible to give a child compote, it is also worth paying attention to the fact that such a drink contains a large amount of mineral components. For example, if a person periodically consumes such drinks from dried fruits, his body receives iron, potassium, magnesium, calcium and many other necessary substances. In addition, such a liquid dessert helps to strengthen the immune system. If you add compote with prunes, then you can quickly get rid of constipation.
Considering when you can give your child a compote of dried fruits, it is worth paying attention to the fact that such a drink is especially useful in hot weather, as it becomes a source of fluid that a small body quickly loses during active games in the sun. Also, this treat contains fructose, so it becomes an excellent natural source of energy.
Some babies suffer from frequent diarrhea or constipation, as they often try green fruits or unwashed foods. Thanks to compotes made from fruits, you can get rid of intestinal irritation and relieve unpleasant symptoms.
Contraindications
Before deciding when children can be given fruit compote, it is worth saying a few words about the dangers of such a treat. First of all, you need to monitor the quality of the products that are used for drinking. If we are talking about store formulations or dried fruits, then there is a big risk that they were processed with chemicals and preservatives. Such a treat can easily cause a baby to develop allergies or more serious problems (for example, diseases of the digestive or respiratory system).
However, even if the fruits were picked and dried on their own, the question of whether it is possible to give the child compote remains open. The fact is that natural products can also cause an ambiguous reaction of the body. Therefore, it is necessary to introduce such nutrition very carefully, gradually. Particular vigilance must be shown when adding dried apricots in compote.
It is very important to first clarify whether the child has an individual intolerance to one or another component of the treat. Even if drinking does not cause an allergic or other reaction, you need to remember that it is strictly forbidden to give treats with prunes with diarrhea.
When can I give a child a compote of apples, raisins, dried apricots and other dried fruits, if he is diagnosed with diabetes? In this situation, such drinks are prohibited at any age. You also need to consult a specialist if the baby suffers from gastritis or peptic ulcer.
At what age can you give compote to children
Any child needs fluid, but such a sweet diet should be introduced into the baby’s diet very carefully. Much depends on whether the baby has already been transferred to infant formulas or whether his mother still prefers breastfeeding. When determining at what age you can give compote to children, you need to take into account environmental conditions (for example, air temperature), how active the child is, whether he has problems with digestion or other organs. Therefore, it is advisable to first consult with a specialist. Especially if the baby has a predisposition to allergies.
Speaking about the age at which you can give compote to children, specialists usually indicate the age of 6-7 months. It is during this period that the kids are usually still on the HB, but at the same time they begin to try other foods. If the child has already been transferred to dry mixes, then for the first time you can prepare him a compote a little earlier at 4-5 months.
Thus, considering when it is possible to give compote to a child up to a year, it is necessary first of all to take into account the mode of its current nutrition.
First compote
If the baby tries such a treat for the first time, then it is better not to give him dried apricots or prunes right away. Also, do not give “mixes” of several varieties of fruits. It is recommended to cook a weak compote on dried apples. After preparing the treat, it is advisable to dilute it a little more with water.
If after the first intake of such nutrition in the child there is no negative reaction, then you can try to use other dried fruits. However, it must be remembered that plum has a laxative effect, and the pear, on the contrary, strengthens.
Features of the reception
Any new product must be introduced into the diet of crumbs very carefully, the same applies to drinking. First you need to give the baby only a teaspoon of compote and wait a while. It is best to treat your child with such a drink in the morning. If in the evening there are no negative symptoms, then you can use the same drink the next day.
Gradually, the serving increases. However, you need to constantly monitor the reaction of the baby. If he begins to itch, his skin turns red or the child experiences a clear malaise, do not experiment anymore. Better show it to your doctor.
Features of fruit selection
First of all, the treat should be prepared from natural and quality products. If flavorings or coloring agents are present in the compote, this will negatively affect his health. Having decided how many months a child can be given compote, it is best to make a harvest yourself by picking fruit in the garden. In extreme cases, you can contact a trusted seller. But buying ready-made dry compotes in the store is not recommended.
However, even if the parents themselves made preparations, you need to make sure that the fruits are not damaged and there is no mold on them. Components should not be too dry. It’s best to pick some apples or pears in the garden and dry them in the sun or in the oven. If you have to buy fruit in a store, then you should not buy too bright bulk apples. As a rule, they are processed with chemicals and wax to give them a more appetizing appearance.
Also, considering when you can give your child a compote, you need to take into account the peculiarities of storing dried fruits. They must not be removed in plastic or glass containers. It is best to use linen bags for storage, which are cleaned in a dark and cool place.
Cooking compotes for children at the beginning of complementary foods
Finished fruit is not enough just pour water and boil. It is necessary to carry out preparatory work. First of all, it is necessary to rinse the products and soak them for a while. Thanks to this, you can get rid of excess pollution. It is best to keep dried fruits in warm water for about 15 minutes. After that, you need to bring to the boil the right amount of water and dip the soaked fruits into the pan.
It is worth considering that during the cooking process, dried apples, pears, etc. will significantly increase in volume. Therefore, usually at least half a liter of water is used per 50 g of fruit.
Many people think that it’s best to cook the compote for as long as possible so that all the ingredients soften. However, experts do not advise doing this. The fact is that then hot water will destroy all the beneficial components of drinking, and it will become completely useless. Therefore, it costs about 30 minutes to cook apples and pears, and other fruits for 20 minutes longer. To make the compote more fragrant and soft after cooking, turn off the stove and insist on refreshments for about an hour. When the compote cools down, you need to strain it and offer the baby.
If we are talking about the first use of such a drink, then it should be diluted with water in a ratio of 1 to 2. Sometimes, after cooling the compote, a precipitate forms on the bottom of the container. It should not be given to a child. Use gauze or a sieve and clean the liquid.
The apples
Considering what compotes you can give your child, first of all, it is worth giving preference to these fruits. When using apples, it is not necessary to adhere to strict proportions of water and dried fruits themselves. It is worth seeing what ratio the baby likes the most.
Apple compote is very easy to make. To do this, take only one apple (the variety is not important), wash it and peel it. After this, the product is poured into half a glass of water and boiled for 5 minutes. At the next stage, it is enough to cool the drink, strain it and give the child a try.
Dried apricots and prunes
If we talk about how much you can give your child a compote of these components, then doctors do not recommend preparing such treats before the baby is 5 months old. Candied fruits have a positive effect on the digestive system and are popular among babies. You can also add some raisins to such compotes. However, cooking such a treat for constipation is not worth it.
To boil the compote from dried apricots, you need no more than 100 g of product. Candied fruit is washed with cold water and insisted for about five minutes. After that, it is recommended to cut the dried apricots into pieces and lower them into boiling water. Cook such a treat for 15 minutes.
If we are talking about prunes, then you need to insist on drinking a little longer. First, dried fruits are soaked for 10 minutes, and after preparing the drink, the liquid should cool for at least another half hour.
It is also important to remember that sugar is not added to such compotes. Drinking should be exclusively natural, without any additives.
Raisins
Such a compote is prepared very easily. At the same time, kids like the taste of this candied fruit. It has many useful properties that are needed not only for children but also for adults.
To prepare a treat you need to pour boiling water (just one liter) several tablespoons of raisins. The resulting liquid is left overnight or boiled for no longer than 10 minutes. After this, it is enough to strain the compote and treat them to the baby.
Mix of Dried and Fresh Fruits
Such a compote can be prepared for older children. This recipe includes several prunes, some dried apricots and slices of fresh pear and apple. All components must be thoroughly rinsed. Fresh fruits must be peeled. After that, the ingredients are sent to boiling water and boiled for 10 minutes.
When the compote is ready, it needs to be insisted 1 hour. After filtering, you can offer a delicious drink crumbs.
Use of a thermos
Some mothers say that it is not necessary to boil fruit only on fire. Very tasty compotes are obtained even if you use a regular thermos. To make a drink, it is enough to cut apples into small slices and pour boiling water. Such a composition is infused in a thermos night. The next morning, a glass of boiling water is added to the composition, and the whole mixture is sent to the pan and cooked for another 10 minutes.
It turns out a very aromatic drink with soft and tasty apples. If the kid likes this treat, then next time you can diversify it a bit by adding candied fruits or other ingredients. Compotes are useful, they contain vitamins that are necessary for the growing body. Therefore, such a drink is great during lactation.