5 simple and nutritious smoothies for baby (8 months+)

In the warmer months we don’t always feel like a cooked meal, and babies are the same. Rather than offering them a bowl of porridge for breakfast, or pasta with bolognese for lunch, you might consider swapping them out for a nutritious, yummy, and refreshing smoothie.

Here are 5 simple, quick, and filling smoothies for baby that contain essential nutrients (from about 8 months) that will keep them cool on a hot day. They all contain no added sugar (reminder to also not give babies honey before 12 months), are allergy friendly, and any leftovers can be frozen for next time. They’re so good that you could drink them yourself, too!

5 simple and nutritious smoothies for baby (8 months+)

The directions for each of these smoothies are simple: place all of the ingredients into a food processor and blend for 1-2 minutes or until smooth. Then, pour into your baby’s favourite sippy or straw cup. They’re so easy to prepare that you can whip them up in the morning after being woken 27 times the night before!

1. Blueberry and avocado smoothie

  • ½ ripe banana
  • ¼ cup fresh blueberries (if frozen, there’s no need to add ice)
  • ¼ avocado
  • ¼ cup oats
  • 1 tsp flax seed meal
  • ¼ cup water
  • ¼ cup of full-fat yoghurt of choice
  • 2 ice cubes

2. Baby’s first green smoothie

  • ½ ripe banana
  • ¼ avocado
  • 1 cup of baby spinach leaves
  • ¼ cup of full-fat yoghurt of choice
  • ¼ cup of milk of choice
  • 1 cup of frozen mango pieces

3. Berry nice smoothie

  • ¼ cup of raspberries
  • ¼ cup of strawberries
  • ½ ripe banana
  • ¼ cup of yoghurt of choice
  • 1 tsp of nut or seed butter
  • ¼ cup of milk of choice
  • 2 ice cubes

4. Apple pie breakfast smoothie

  • ½ cup of chopped apple (or apple puree)
  • ¼ cups of oats
  • ¾ cup of milk of choice
  • ¼ cup of yoghurt of choice
  • Pinch of cinnamon
  • ½ tsp chia seeds

5. Veggie boost smoothie

  • ½ cup of chopped apple (or apple puree)
  • ½ cup of cooked pumpkin and carrot or chopped raw carrots
  • ½ cup of chopped cooked, raw, or frozen cauliflower pieces
  • ½ ripe banana
  • 1 cup of milk of choice
  • 2 ice cubes

Tips for making and storing baby smoothies

  • Please remember that breastmilk or formula should be the main source of nutrition for the first 12 months. These smoothies are not to replace their milk, but are a great meal idea for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. What about offering a smoothie as a snack? Check out our article Do babies need snacks?
  • These smoothies contain protein, fibre, healthy fats, iron and other essential minerals and vitamins, so you can be rest assured that they make a complete meal. However, they’re not intended for every meal, as babies need plenty of practice chewing different textures.
  • Thin any smoothies out with extra water or your milk of choice, particularly when your baby is new to drinking smoothies
  • You may get 3-4 serves out of each of these recipes, so any leftovers will store in the fridge for 24 hours (so, that’s the next day or meal sorted as well!). Or, put them in the freezer for up to a month. Freeze in ice cube trays, and mix and match, and add to fresh smoothies; or freeze in a container or jar, and allow to thaw the night before you want to serve it for breakfast. Give it a good shake first as the ingredients will settle.

If you enjoy these smoothie recipes, you might like to check out these articles along the same theme:

8 practical ways to keep babies cool on a hot day

When to give water to babies

Sippy cups versus straw cups: which one to choose?

 

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