Calorie boosters for your baby

Worried you little one is not getting enough calories? Maybe he or she is falling off the growth curve, not gaining enough weight, or is just a picky eater. Or maybe he or she is growing just fine and you just want to feed you baby some foods to nourish his or her mind and body. Fat is great for your baby's developing brain!

Here are some healthy ideas.

-Millet mash or pooridge (see previous post on millet) cooked with goat milk or coconut milk. (instead of cooking millet in water or broth, cook it in milk. try to avoid cows milk!) You can do this with any whole grain.

-Oatmeal- put 1/4 cup of rolled oats in coffee grinder or food processor (Not necessary if your baby is 9 months or older and can handle a chunkier oatmeal). Will be a powder consistency. Heat 1/2 cup goat or coconut milk in saucepan. Once its boiling, add oat powder. Turn heat to low and simmer until it is a pooridge consistency. Add ground flaxseeds and pureed blueberries or apple sauce to sweeten.

-Creamed Kale recipe (previous post). You'll just need to puree it more for your 6-9 month old.

-Peas simmered in coconut or goat milk. Buy frozen organic peas. Heat on stove top with a little milk to soften. Add more milk as they begin to cook. Throw in food processor or blender to puree for 6-9 month old. Older babies like the peas as a finger food. Make extra- can freeze for later!

-Fish oil. Get a baby syringe/dropper and just squirt it in his/her mouth (can do up to 1/2-1 tbsp/day). I have been doing this with Cece since she was 3 months old. Great omega 3 fatty acids!

-Smoothies- blend coconut milk/goat milk, banana, ground flax, avocado, 1 tbsp coconut oil

-Grind flax seeds in coffee grinder and add to anything! See previous post on seeds ("Give your child the seed of life.")

-Goat yogurt- pricey but very healthy! Whole Foods carries it. Can add to smoothies or spoon it to your baby plain.

-Egg YOLK (not the white). Boil a few organic eggs in advance. Peel away the white from one egg and smash the yolk in a saucepan. Add some milk (mama or goat) to make it more liquid consistency. Can add a steamed veggie as well- like spinach or carrots. One of Cece's favorites since she was 6 months old!

You can definitely make these recipes in advance and freeze. Be sure to freeze in BPA-free plastic of glass jars so that BPA doesnt leach into the food as it freezes.

Healthy additions:

These foods can be added to any recipe for a healthy boost.

-Nutritional yeast

-Ground flax, pumpkin or sunflower seeds

-Powdered kelp (can find in the spice section of health food store)

-Hemp protein powder (more appropriate for older babies)

High calorie fruits/veggies:

-peas

-carrots

-sweet potatoes

-parsnips

-squash

-mango

-banana

Steam any of these veggies. Add coconut, mama or goat milk and blend in food processor or blender to make more liquid consistency for 6-9 month olds. Can freeze!

Try to avoid cow's cheese and nuts (even though they are high calorie). These are allergenic foods and you don't want to introduce until your babe is 1 yo.

Cece feeling content after her first few bites of solids- sweet potato mixed with mama's milk.