Making your baby food offers your baby a variety of flavours with wholesome ingredients. It is money-saving and in the same vein offers a range of alternatives, it gives room for adjusting to the desired texture or quantity. Baby-friendly purées are one of those homemade meals that can be easily whipped up, also serving as first solids for babies within the range of 6 months and above. 

Research suggests that babies who consume homemade meals are less likely to fall ill. It helps to maintain the right weight too. If you can do it yourself, do not hesitate, it may require extra work but is worth every energy.

What are purées?

Purées refer to meals that are processed into a smooth paste or texture, you can achieve this either through blending, grinding, or mashing. They are mostly the first solid foods for babies. You can make purees from whole meals, fruits, vegetables, and animal proteins. 

Benefits of sweet potato purée for babies

Mashed sweet potatoes are great for babies who are ready to graduate to slightly thicker textures after being introduced to other lighter solids. Sweet potato purée has a considerable amount of nutrients which makes it a healthy choice for your baby, they are high in water content and low in fats. 

Below are some amazing health benefits feeding your baby with sweet potato purée offers:

• Great source of nutrients: Sweet potatoes are packed with essential nutrients that can be incorporated into everyday dishes. They are rich in carbohydrates, calcium, potassium, vitamins A, B-complex, C, fiber, and several other nutrients. A constant intake of these vitamins will help in the formation, growth, and development of your baby’s vital organs while building a strong immune system. 

• Improves good vision: Sweet potatoes are high in beta-carotene that synthesizes vitamin A which is needed for healthy eyesight.

• Aids digestion: Sweet potatoes contain dietary fiber and have prebiotic properties which improve intestinal health and aid digestion. The dietary fibre also helps to keep your baby full while preventing constipation. 

• Essential for weight gain: Sweet potatoes aid weight gain in babies because it is a high-calorie nutrient-dense food. It contains complex carbohydrates which provide a sustained release of energy substantial for weight gain.

• Prevents anemia: Sweet potatoes are fully loaded with iron which helps red blood cells carry oxygen through the body thereby preventing anemia.

How to make sweet potato purée for babies 

When shopping for sweet potatoes, look out for firm and smooth ones with little or no blemishes. Sweet potato purée is an easy-to-make meal, and you can make it into oatmeal, smoothies, or merely serve as a side dish. 

There are different methods of preparing sweet potatoes for purée, you can choose to first boil, steam, or bake. For this article, we will be considering the boiling method which is the quickest to make a purée.

Ingredients

Potatoes 

Breast milk/Formula/water for consistency

Method

For oven-baked ones

• Wash the sweet potatoes and poke holes in them without peeling them
• Preheat your oven and place your sweet potatoes to bake for about 45 minutes 
• Remove sweet potatoes after they are baked and cut into a blender
• Add a few drops of water and blend to the right consistency

For Boiled ones

• First, peel and chop into 1-inch-sized pieces.
• Put in a pot of boiling water and cook until tender.
• Strain the water 
• Transfer boiled potatoes to a food processor or blender and proceed to blend until smooth. If you’re using a potato masher or a fork, put it in a bowl and work through it.
• Stir through with enough breast milk or formula to make a smooth purée and thin it out for easy consumption and digestion.

Sweet potato purée is not only delicious as a stand-alone but can be combined with other foods and fruits like oatmeal, and bananas for advanced taste. This nutrient-packed baby food can be stored in the fridge for 3 days. Solids should only complement your baby’s liquid nutrition, so while introducing solid food can be relieving, do not completely bypass breast milk or formula throughout the first year.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I add sugar to my baby’s sweet potato purée?

There is no need to add sugar or another sweetener to your baby’s sweet potato purée. 

Can I refrigerator sweet potato puree for my baby?

You can for just about 3-4 days.

 Is sweet potato puree good for babies?

Sweet potato purée is absolutely one of the best intro to solids for your baby. Aside from being delicious, it is highly nutritious.