Baby's First Holiday Dinner
Your Baby’s First Holiday – OH WHAT FUN!! Sharing the fabulous flavors of the Holidays with your new baby is an experience you’ll cherish forever. Even though your baby may not be eating all types of table food yet, there are plenty of foods that can make a festive and delicious Holiday dinner. Socializing is part of the fun too, so reserve a seat (high chair) at or near the dining room table for baby to join in the celebration.
TIP: For Baby’s holiday dinner, stick with foods that you have already introduced. Introducing new foods could cause tummy aches or an allergic reaction – neither of which you want to deal with during this fun time.
Here are a few ideas to serve up a Holiday Dinner for your baby:
Common first food purees with a Holiday Flavor include:
- Sweet Potatoes
- Squash (this includes pumpkin)
- Green Peas
- Apples
- Pears
Recipe: Apple or Pumpkin Cutie Pie
Crust: combine a crushed graham cracker with oatmeal cereal and breast milk (or formula) in a small bowl
Pumpkin Cutie Pie: Mix together equal amounts Pumpkin (or Sweet Potato) and Apple Puree. Spoon this mixture over the cereal crust. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Apple Cutie Pie: Combine apple puree with a dash of cinnamon. Spoon this mixture over the cereal crust. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Turkey Options:
- Chunky Puree Puree chopped turkey with a little chicken broth in a blender
- Finger Food: Chop turkey into small pieces (avoid skin)
Roast Beef Options:
- Chunky Puree: Puree chopped roast beef with a little beef broth in a blender
- Finger Food: Chop roast beef into small pieces (avoid fat)
Note: Use broth or soup stock instead of gravy to puree your baby’s meals. Gravy tends to be high in fat and salt.
1-Dish Casserole Ideas: Make a yummy casserole by combining vegetables, fruits, and meat together to make a one-dish meal. Depending on your baby’s feeding skills, choose the appropriate texture for these meals: smooth puree, lumpy (fork mashed) or finger foods.
3 Gobble Gobble Casserole Ideas:
- Peas, mashed potatoes and turkey
- Apples, mashed sweet potatoes and turkey
- Broccoli, cauliflower and turkey
3 Roast Beast Feast Ideas:
- Green beans, mashed potatoes and roast beef
- Corn, green beans and roast beef
- Asparagus, mashed potatoes and roast beef
If your little one has been introduced to most foods and is ready to enjoy the feast like a big kid, here are few tips:
- Take a quick taste of each food before putting on your child’s plate and make the determination if the flavor is appropriate for your child’s palate.
- Avoid foods that may contain ingredients that are choking hazards
- If your child has not been introduced to high-allergen foods such as nuts or eggs, ask the chef about the ingredients of foods in advance of the meal.
Planning your baby's meal:
If the Holiday dinner is at your house, you can prepare your little one’s meal right alongside the rest of the family’s. Simply set aside foods you would like for your baby before adding seasonings, butter and salt. Then make the appropriate texture (i.e. puree or mash) for your baby.
If you are the guest of another family, you can bring the fruits and vegetables for your baby in a small tote bag. Simply add the main course, such as turkey or roast beef before the meal begins. If you plan to puree the main course, bring a small amount of broth (chicken of beef) with you in the tote bag.
