Delicious, healthy and nutritious snacks for babies aged 6 months and over

When the baby is 6 months old, he can start trying his first solid food as a complement to breast milk or baby solids. In addition to complementary foods for breastfeeding, introduce healthy snacks and snacks as well finger food for babies.

You don't need to be confused about what to give him snacks to meet the baby's nutritional needs. Please cheat on various inspirational baby snacks that are guaranteed to be healthy for your little one.

When can babies start eating snacks?

Snacks aka snacks (snack) is baby food that is given between main meals. The frequency of eating is three times a day with the baby's MPASI schedule in the morning, afternoon, and evening.

As the name implies, a snack will be in between the three meal schedules, namely from morning to noon and around the afternoon.

On the other hand, you are also a baby who only wants to eat snacks once a day or sometimes not at all.

The frequency and portion of snack food for each baby cannot be equated. There are babies who are very happy snacking , but there are also those who will only eat a snack once a day or even rarely.

Meanwhile, for the ideal age to introduce your baby to snacks, you can actually do it from the first time he learns to eat solid food.

As explained by WHO as the world health agency, there are two eating schedules that can be adjusted starting from the age of six months or when learning to eat complementary foods with breast milk.

The first is the main food and the second is a healthy snack or snack for babies. During this MPASI period, intermittent feeding for babies can be in the form of solid food or breast milk.

Yes, that is why feeding at this time is referred to as complementary feeding (MPASI).

Even though they no longer receive exclusive breastfeeding because they have been assisted by other foods and drinks, babies at this age will still breastfeed.

If breastfeeding is no longer possible for the baby, the baby can continue to breastfeed but with infant formula.

So in short, it's okay to introduce babies to snacks or treats (snack) since the beginning of his introduction to solid food.

Do snacks and finger food baby is the same?

As previously explained, snacks or snack is the meal eaten between the main meals of the baby.

While finger food for babies is finger food. As the name implies, size finger food or this finger food is as big as a baby's finger so it is easy to grip.

Snack or snack and finger food for babies it is not the same. Baby snacks or treats can be any meal and in any form as long as they are eaten between main meals.

Snack or snack this can be pulp, puree fruit, to pieces of fruit in shape finger food . So as finger food for babies, these foods cannot be classified entirely into snacks.

This is because finger food can be eaten at both the main meal and as a snack baby. Finger food or finger food can help train the baby to feed on his own because it is easy to grip.

Finger food not like a snack or snack which can be given since the baby learns to eat solid foods or at the age of 6 months.

Usually, finger food for new babies given when the baby is 9-12 months old or when the teeth have started to grow.

What are the snack options for babies?

There are various kinds of healthy snack choices that can be used as meals between the baby's main meal. Here are a variety of healthy and filling snacks for babies:

1. Fruit baby snacks

Fruit for babies is one of the snack choices that is definitely healthy and also practical. For the first choice of fruit, try to give dragon fruit, papaya banana, avocado, or mango.

This is because these fruits have a smooth, soft, and soft texture that is easy to bite and chew on baby teeth that are still developing.

If your little one is still 6-8 months old, you should first blend the fruit into a fine pulp (puree). However, if your baby is 9 months old and over, it is okay to give him fresh fruit which is cut into small pieces so he can learn to hold it on his own.

In fact, you can also process fruit in addition to being served directly. You can be creative, for example, by roasting a banana and adding grated cheese on top.

2. Biscuits

Source: Super Healthy Kids

Baby biscuits that are sold in the market are also suitable for you to give your little one a snack while waiting for their next meal.

Choose soft biscuits that contain lots of carbohydrates, fats, protein, minerals and vitamins for babies. Also make sure the biscuits are small enough that the baby can hold them.

Every now and then, it doesn't hurt to experiment with making your own biscuits at home. You can prepare dry oats, fruit, flour, and a little vegetable oil.

Next, process all the ingredients together by making them into a smooth dough and shape according to taste. Finally, all you have to do is bake the almost finished biscuit shapes on a nonstick pan.

If your baby is not yet able to eat whole biscuits, mix the biscuits with a little water or milk until they are mashed like mush.

Conversely, for your little one who is already adept at biting and chewing, it is okay to serve whole biscuits. With a note, biscuits have a small size and slightly soft texture.

3. Boiled eggs

If you want to serve snacks that are quick and easy, one option that can be given is eggs for children.

Eggs can be boiled as a regular snack to take when you and your family are out of the house.

But remember, don't forget to peel the shells and chop the eggs into small pieces that are easy for babies to eat.

4. Yogurt

Another healthy snack option is yogurt for babies. Apart from its high protein content, yogurt is also rich in calcium which is good for supporting the growth of your little one's bones.

In fact, yogurt is also equipped with live bacteria that are good for supporting the work of the digestive system. However, you are advised to be more careful in choosing yogurt for babies.

It's best to choose plain or unflavored yogurt that doesn't contain a lot of sugar. You can add fruit slices and a few tablespoons of honey to add flavor to the yogurt.

5. Potatoes

Potatoes are one of the staple foods that are rich in carbohydrates. Usually, potatoes are made into the main food process in order to contribute energy to the body.

However, it is okay to process potatoes into a choice of snacks or baby snacks. The method is not difficult, you can make mashed potatoes (mashed potato) for babies aged 6-8 months who still have to eat crushed food.

Meanwhile, when the baby is getting older, for example, at the age of 9 months and over, you can process potato snacks with other textures.

You can make your own french fries at home the size of your little one's hand for easy grip. Another option is to make snacks in the form of patties with a mixture of carrots and chicken meat.

If you want something easier, you can also steam the chopped potatoes beforehand until they get a texture that is easy for the baby to bite into.

In addition, it is okay to add sugar, salt to baby food, or micin for babies to the potato preparations you make.

According to the Indonesian Pediatric Association (IDAI), the added flavor usually makes it easier for the baby to eat and is even more enthusiastic because it tastes good.

Baby habits that are difficult and often refuse food can cause nutritional problems in babies.

What are the options finger food for babies?

If you want to give finger food as a main meal or snack for babies, here are some options you can try:

1. Boiled vegetables

Vegetable can be finger food for babies which is highly recommended. The reason is, vegetables contain many nutrients that support the growth and development of babies.

You can choose vegetables for babies such as carrots, potatoes, sweet potatoes, or broccoli. Cut the vegetables into smaller sizes so that they are easy for your baby to hold.

Then, boil the vegetables until they are soft so they are easy to chew.

2. Fruit with a smooth texture

Ripe fruit has soft flesh. This is a very suitable food for babies to eat with their own hands.

You can prepare banana, watermelon, papaya, mango, or avocado.

These fruits not only introduce various flavors of food to children, but also fulfill their nutritional needs.

Previously, wash the fruit under clean running water and peel the skin. Then, remove the seeds and cut them into a size that is easy for the child to grip.

3. Scrambled eggs

Eggs can be a good source of protein as well food finger recommended for babies.

You can fry the eggs in a little oil then cut them into small pieces. Alternatively, you can stir the eggs immediately while the eggs are cooking. Serve on a plate without added salt.

Despite the many nutrients, you have to make sure that the child is free from egg allergies. If your child shows an allergic reaction, such as a rash on the skin after eating eggs, see a doctor immediately.

4. Pasta

Source: First 1000 day

Not only for babies who are older, but paste is also suitable for children who don't have teeth.

The reason is, the texture of the paste is chewy and soft so it is suitable to be used finger food for babies. However, especially for babies who don't have teeth, fusilli paste or macaroni is recommended.

You can serve boiled pasta without any added seasonings. If the child is introduced to more flavors, you can add a little olive oil and low-salt tomato sauce.

5. Know

Apart from eggs, tofu can be a good source of protein for babies . Finger food for babies this one has a soft texture so it's easy to eat.

However, make sure not to have tofu that is easily brittle because it will crumble when held by the child. This can make it difficult for children to eat.

The texture of baby snacks varies according to age

Just like the texture of the main meal, the texture of the snack (snack) the baby must also be adapted to his current age.

For babies aged 6-8 months, the right texture of snacks is smooth and soft like porridge. The texture of healthy snacks for babies will then increase into finely chopped, coarsely chopped, until finger food at 9-11 months of age.

Until you arrive at the age of 12 months and over, the snacks you provide already have a texture that is similar to adult food.

In other words, the texture of snacks for babies aged 12 months or 1 year and over is no longer too crushed, too smooth, or chopped.

The reason is, at the age of 12 months or 1 year, babies usually begin to learn to eat food like what other family members eat.

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