Yogurt Blends For Babies: A Simple Guide To Cooking

Yogurt is a great food to introduce to your baby's diet, offering protein, calcium, and probiotics. It's also versatile and easy to eat, whether served from a spoon or in a reusable pouch.

When choosing a yogurt for your baby, opt for whole milk, plain, and free from added sugars. Greek yogurt is a great option, too, as it has more protein and a thicker consistency.

If you're feeling creative, you can make your own yogurt blends at home. Simply mix yogurt with fruit purees, such as banana, apple, or mango. You can also add in a teaspoon of honey for a sweeter treat for toddlers.

- Blueberry Banana Yogurt

- Strawberry Raspberry Yogurt

- Nectarine Banana Yogurt

Yogurt Melts

Ingredients:

You will need the following ingredients:

• Full-fat Greek yogurt (plain, unsweetened, and preferably organic)
• Baby food puree (store-bought or homemade)
• Natural food colouring (optional)

Instructions:

• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
• In a small bowl, mix the yogurt and baby food puree until well combined. You can use any puree flavour you like, such as mango, banana, spinach, apple, kale, or beetroot.
• Spoon the mixture into a resealable bag or a piping bag. If the mixture becomes too thin, place the bag in the fridge for a few minutes to thicken.
• Cut a small piece off the end of the bag. Squeeze small dots or discs of the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet in rows.
• Place the baking sheet in the freezer for at least 2 hours or overnight.
• Remove the yogurt melts from the parchment paper and store them in an airtight container or freezer bag.

Serving:

• Allow the yogurt melts to sit at room temperature for a few minutes before serving to ensure they aren't too hard.
• Offer them to your baby as a fun finger food. Always supervise your baby while eating.
• For toddlers, you can add a teaspoon of honey to make a sweeter treat.
• Yogurt melts can be stored in the freezer for up to a month.

Greek vs. Plain Yogurt

Greek and plain yogurt are both excellent options for babies and toddlers. Both are fermented dairy products made with the same ingredients – fresh milk and starter cultures (live bacteria). However, there are some differences between the two.

Greek yogurt is strained three times, resulting in a thicker consistency and higher protein content. It also contains less whey and lactose, making it easier to digest and less likely to cause an allergic reaction. The tangy taste of Greek yogurt may be off-putting to some babies, and it is generally more expensive than plain yogurt.

On the other hand, plain yogurt is typically not strained, resulting in a thinner texture and lower protein content. It has a milder flavour and is more affordable.

When choosing between Greek and plain yogurt for babies, it is recommended to start with plain yogurt and introduce Greek yogurt once the baby is comfortable with the texture and taste. Plain yogurt can be mixed with purees or applesauce to make it more appealing to babies. Greek yogurt, on the other hand, can be mixed into purees or used as a dip for older babies who are ready for thicker textures.

Both types of yogurt are nutritious options for babies, offering essential vitamins, minerals, protein, and healthy fats. They are also good sources of probiotics, which promote digestive health and strengthen the immune system.

When purchasing yogurt for babies, it is important to choose plain, whole milk yogurt with live and active cultures. Avoid flavoured yogurts with added sugars and artificial ingredients. Organic yogurt is also preferable, as it is free of synthetic pesticides, artificial hormones, antibiotics, and GMOs.

Dairy-Free Options

Dairy-free yogurts are a great option for babies with cow's milk allergies or for those following a plant-based diet. They are typically made from nut, coconut, oat, or soy milk, each with slightly different nutritional profiles. Here are some dairy-free options to consider when preparing yogurt blends for your baby:

Almond Milk Yogurt

Almond milk yogurt is a good source of healthy fats and fiber, but it tends to have lower protein and calcium content compared to cow's milk yogurt. However, many almond milk yogurts are fortified with calcium and vitamin D. Examples of brands include Kite Hill and Silk.

Soy Milk Yogurt

Soy milk yogurt is nutritionally the most similar to dairy yogurt. It has a high protein content and is usually fortified with calcium and vitamin D. Soy milk yogurt also has a nice texture and consistency similar to dairy yogurt.

Coconut Milk Yogurt

Coconut milk yogurts are often higher in calories and fat content, especially if made with coconut cream. They tend to be creamy and may have a higher fiber content than other plant-based options. However, they usually have lower protein content. Brands like So Delicious and Daiya offer coconut milk yogurts.

Oat Milk Yogurt

Oat milk yogurt is a newer option on the market and may not be as widely available. It tends to be higher in calories but lower in protein compared to cow's milk yogurt. Oat milk yogurt usually has a creamy consistency and is a good non-nut-based option for babies with nut allergies. Nancy's and Silk are popular brands for oat milk yogurt.

Cashew Milk Yogurt

Cashew milk yogurts are typically low in sugar, calcium, and protein. They may have a thinner texture compared to other nut milk yogurts. Forager is a brand that offers cashew milk yogurt.

When choosing a dairy-free yogurt for your baby, look for options with minimal added sugars and fewer ingredients. You can also make your own dairy-free yogurt at home by choosing a dairy-free milk base, adding a thickening agent, and incorporating probiotics or live cultures. This allows you to customize the flavor and sweetness to your baby's taste preferences.

Flavouring Plain Yogurt

It is best to start with plain yogurt when introducing this food to your baby. This allows your baby to get used to the tart flavour and the smooth texture. It also lets you know what your baby's preference is before you add other ingredients.

When to introduce yogurt to your baby

Babies can typically start eating yogurt when they start eating solid foods (around 6 months of age) and when they show signs of readiness for eating.

What kind of yogurt to give your baby

The best yogurt for babies is plain, whole milk yogurt (regular or Greek) without added sugars or other flavours. This type of yogurt:

• Does not contain added sugar, only the sugar naturally occurring in dairy.
• Provides extra fat, which is important for your baby's developing brain.
• Allows your baby to taste pure yogurt before adding additional flavours.
• Has a smooth consistency, giving them practice with that specific texture.

How to flavour plain yogurt

• Fresh or frozen (defrosted) fruit, especially wild blueberries.
• Cinnamon, nutmeg, or turmeric (use caution as these may cause skin irritation).
• Pureed vegetables, such as butternut squash or sweet potato.
• Unsweetened applesauce or apple puree.
• Mashed banana or banana puree.
• Peanut butter (introduce this separately first as it is also a top allergen).
• Unsweetened crushed cereal, such as O's.
• Cooked cereal, oatmeal, or cream of wheat.

Dairy-free yogurt for babies

If your family follows a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle, or if your baby has a milk allergy, there are dairy-free yogurt options available. However, many of these tend to contain added sugar, so be sure to choose one without added sugars. Some dairy-free yogurts also contain less fat and protein than whole milk yogurts and may not be fortified with vitamin D, so be sure to read the labels.

Yogurt for Baby-Led Weaning

Yogurt is a great first food for babies and can be introduced at around six months old, or when they start solid foods. It is a good source of protein, calcium, and probiotics, and can be easily customized with various mix-ins. Here are some tips and recipes for incorporating yogurt into your baby's diet through baby-led weaning:

Tips for Yogurt-Led Weaning:

• Use plain, whole milk yogurt with no added sugars. Greek yogurt is a good option, but it may be a bit tangy and thicker in texture, so you can start with regular yogurt and add Greek yogurt later.
• Look for organic yogurt if possible, to avoid synthetic pesticides and artificial hormones.
• Yogurt is a good source of healthy fats, which are essential for your baby's brain development.
• Probiotics in yogurt help establish a healthy gut microbiome.
• You can add flavor to plain yogurt with fruit purees, nut butter, honey (for babies over one year), or maple syrup.
• If your baby has dairy allergies or sensitivities, you can use plant-based yogurts such as coconut, almond, or goat milk yogurt.

Yogurt Recipe Ideas for Baby-Led Weaning:

• Sweet Potato and Apple Yogurt: Combine baked sweet potato and apple pieces in a food processor and blend until smooth. Add yogurt and blend further.
• Cherry Yogurt: Puree cherries and then combine with yogurt.
• Banana and Apple Yogurt: Mash or puree a banana and combine with applesauce and yogurt.
• Apricot and Banana Yogurt: Simmer dried apricots in a saucepan, then blend with banana and yogurt.
• Pear and Yogurt: Boil and puree a pear, then combine with yogurt.
• Strawberry and Mango Yogurt: Steam and blend strawberries and mango, then mix with yogurt.
• Mixed Berry Yogurt: Blend raspberries, strawberries, and blueberries with yogurt and maple syrup.
• Mango Yogurt: Puree mango and mix with yogurt, topping with extra mango puree.
• Banana and Blueberry Yogurt: Puree banana and blueberries, then add yogurt and puree again.
• Blueberry and Maple Syrup Yogurt: Puree blueberries and mix with yogurt and maple syrup.

Frequently asked questions