Bananas are one of the best first foods for babies. They are soft and easy to mash, which makes them ideal for baby-led weaning.
They are also high in potassium and fiber, which help support healthy weight gain and growth. They are rich in antioxidants, phytonutrients and vitamins and minerals like folate, vitamin C and B6.
Peeling
A banana is a great first food for babies because it’s soft enough to break down easily in their mouths and has a smooth texture that’s easy for them to mash between their gums. Bananas also contain plenty of essential nutrients that your baby needs to thrive, like potassium and fiber.
You’ll want to make sure you choose ripe bananas that have a deep yellow color with few brown spots. Overripe bananas are too firm for your baby to chew and swallow, making them a choking risk.
If you’re using a banana to introduce your child to finger foods, peel and slice it into long strips that are about 2 inches wide. These can be rolled in peanut butter, gluten-free bread crumbs, or hemp seeds for extra texture.
If you are starting to eat solid foods, it is important to follow the guidelines of your pediatrician. Some babies may not reach certain milestones or develop at different rates, so speak with your doctor if you have any concerns.
Cutting
Bananas are an easy and healthy way to introduce a new food to your baby. They don’t need to be cooked, can be cut easily with a knife or fork, and are a great choice for BLW.
As a first food, we recommend serving bananas that are ripe and soft to minimize the risk of choking. Ripe bananas are typically deep yellow in color and have a few brown spots to ensure the texture is soft.
When served in a puree form, we also like to mix in breastmilk/formula milk and water to help the banana mash into a smooth consistency. It’s a good way to get baby used to mashed foods, and they taste delicious!
Alternatively, a lengthwise spear of banana is an easy and safe way to introduce a new food to a baby. You can leave some of the peel on, which is helpful for babies who have trouble gripping a whole peeled banana.
Splitting
Bananas are great on the go but they can be a challenge for little hands to grab, especially when they are still green and slippery. Try splitting a banana in two, removing the peel on one half and serving it sliced into finger sized pieces for baby to enjoy. This may be the best way to serve your child a healthy treat that will be a big hit at the dinner table. It may also be the most fun, if you’re a kid at heart! You’ll be proud of your chubby cheeks when you see the look on your little one’s face!
Rolling
A hand held version of the banana can be a great option for a baby to handle as they feed themselves. This can be accomplished by cutting a ripe banana around the peel leaving about 1-2 inches of the banana still exposed. Then split the banana in 3 long finger-like strips. The banana will be less slippery this way allowing the baby to grasp it easier. You can also roll the banana in hemp seeds, crushed cheerios or infant cereal to help your baby grip it better and taste different textures as they chew on it.
In general, rolling requires the requisite demands of timing and reflex stabilization between the upper and lower extremities as well as trunk control. These requisites are essential for the development of low level functional skills that are necessary for higher level tasks such as reaching, throwing and cartwheeling. If the task of rolling is performed at a reduced level or in a prescribed and unilateral manner, there may be underlying issues with foundational stability and neuromuscular coordination.