Corn Baby Food Ideas - Learn About Corn in Homemade Baby Food Recipes for Your Baby

Corn in Baby Food Recipes - When can Baby Eat Corn?
Age for Introduction to Baby: 10-12 Months

 

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The Goodness of Corn:

 

Corn contains a good amount of protein and carbohydrates - making it a great food for energy.

 

Corn however, is lacking in many other nutrients. The nutritional value or corn compared to a majority of other vegetables is substandard; save it for later. Another good reason to offer your baby corn later is that it makes a great finger food.

 

When can I introduce Corn to my baby?

 

Corn is another one of those confusing food when it comes to baby feeding. Most sources do say that corn is best given after 12 months old. One of the reasons is that corn is a potential high allergen food. Another reason is that corn may be a choking hazard. Further, introducing corn after 12 months old, as a finger food may be more appropriate because an older baby/toddler should be able to properly "chew"/mash the nibblets.

 

During the first year of baby's life, it is very important that baby receive all the nutrients possible. Corn really has very little nutritive value. It is comprised mostly of starchy carbs. and is considered an "empty" calorie food for the most part. Waiting to introduce corn in favor of a more nutrient dense food may be a better option. Yet another reason to hold off on corn is that it is particularly difficult to digest and as we all know, it tends to pass through the system in the same form that it went into the system.

 

Corn derivatives (such as corn flour, syrup, starch etc.) are found in many foods and many infant formulas also contain corn syrups and corn starch. With that being said, there is a vast difference between feeding an infant a "meal" of corn as compared to feeding an infant a food item that may have a corn derivative in the ingredients. A good example of this would be with Multi-Grain Cheerios or other food items containing corn. If your baby consumes 10 single Cheerios, the amount of "corn" actually consumed is far less than were your baby to consume 3-4 tablespoons of pureed corn.

 

As always, we recommend that you thoroughly discuss any feeding issues with your pediatrician as generalities may not apply to your child; this recommendation is very important when you wish to introduce possible high allergen foods to your infant.

 

How to select and store Corn for baby food

 

When buying fresh corn, you should peel back the husks a wee bit to see it the tip of the corn is in good condition. Squeeze the corn and feel for firmness; soft squishy fresh corn is not a good choice.

 

Store corn in the refrigerator. Corn will keep longer if it is not husked so only husk the corn if you will be using it within 2 days.

The best way to cook Corn

 

Cooking corn is very simple, remove the husks and toss it into a large pot of boiling water. You may also grill corn (we find this method brings out the best flavor of fresh corn.) You may also "shave" it off the cob and then either steam or boil the corn nibblets

 

A Few Corn Baby Food Recipes

 

Corn - Basic Purée

Any amount of fresh corn

 

1. Husk and boil the corn on its cob until tender
2. Shave off corn from the stalk
3. Place into your choice of appliance for pureeing and begin pureeing. Use a sieve if needed to get rid of the hulls from the nibblets.
4. Add water as necessary to achieve a smooth, thin consistency
OR
5. Cook frozen corn (watch for salt) according to package directions
6.  Follow Steps 3 and 4

 

Corn, Apple & Sweet Potato

Corn - about 2 cups

1 apple - peeled and cored

1 sweet potato - peeled and diced

 

1. Cook the corn using your preferred method
2. Steam until tender - 1 peeled and cored apple with 1 diced and peeled sweet potato
5. Place corn, apple and sweet potato into your choice of appliance for pureeing and begin pureeing. Chop or dice for finger food
5. Add water as necessary to achieve a smooth, thin consistency - you will probably not need to add water as these foods are watery as it is.

 

Foods Good to Mix With Corn:

Apples
Carrots
Green Beans
Dried Beans
White Potato
Peas
Summer Squash - zucchini or yellow/crooked necked
White Potato - great mix for a "treasure hunt"
Brown Rice
Lentils
Chicken
Beef
Pork

 

Resources and Learning More About Corn:

National Corn Grower's Assoc.
BT Corn - Genetically Modified Corn- how it's being made better
Corn from wholehealthmd.com

 

 

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