Baby’s First Thanksgiving Menu

At four months, stage 1 organic baby formula or any 0-6 month cow’s milk or goat's milk based formulas are still the main nutrition in your baby's diet. If your little is showing signs of readiness you may have just started pureed foods. When gathered around the Thanksgiving table there are so many wonderful foods you can share with your little turkey.

Purée

Steam or roast chunks of vegetables or fruit until soft, toss them (adding water to thin) into a blender or food processor, you can also use a stick mixer or an immersion blender. No need to add anything other ingredients. Baby’s first food should be pure and organic whenever possible.

Place the purées into a liquid measuring cup, this makes pouring into ice cube trays a breeze. Fill to the top of the tray, and pop them into the freezer. Once the cubes freeze, simply unmold them and put into a labeled container or freezer bag. Frozen serving lasts about 6 months in the freezer.

Ready to feed your baby? Defrost in the refrigerator by placing frozen purée cubes into baby's serving dish, cover, and place in the refrigerator overnight.

For a quick method use a water bath: place sealed frozen bags of purée in a warm water bath; replace the water as needed. It is not recommended to use the microwave to cook or heat baby food. Microwaves heat up food unevenly.

The temperature in some portion of the baby food may seem just right, whereas some portions may be very hot and can burn a baby's mouth and throat.

Mashed potatoes: Red, white or yellow they are a good source of fiber. Even the pickiest of beginning eaters like the taste of plain mashed potatoes. Remove the skins from your potatoes before roasting or steaming for a smooth 1st food.

Sweet potatoes: This Thanksgiving staple is also a classic ingredient for baby food. They are rich in beta-carotene (which is good for baby’s vision, skin, growth and immune system), a good source of potassium, vitamin C, fiber, and they are full of antioxidants.

Carrots:  Roasting or steaming carrots brings out their natural sweetness, which makes them appealing to babies. Parents like them because of the beta-carotene, an antioxidant that gives them their beautiful orange color. Beta-carotene converts into vitamin A which promotes healthy skin, hair, nails and eyesight.

Butternut squash: Babies will love its sweet taste. It’s a good source of the antioxidant beta-carotene and also has vitamin C, fiber, folate, B-vitamins, and even some omega-3 fatty acids and potassium which is good for bone health.

Pumpkin: Before making your pie filling, put aside some of the puree for the perfect treat for baby. Pumpkin is an excellent source of Vitamin C, Vitamin A, and fiber! It also contains the antioxidant beta-carotene and has protein and potassium too. When possible use fresh pumpkin to bake and puree for baby, but if you’re getting it out of a can, double check that you’re not serving “pumpkin pie mix,” which can have added sugar, starch, and potential allergy dangers.

Apple:  On the top of baby's first food list, apples are packed with vitamin C and fiber, and they taste great too. Roast or steam some apples for baby and make them into applesauce. Most doctors agree they’re great as one of baby’s first solid foods.

Your stage 2 baby’s main nourishment is still 100% organic cow milk or goat milk baby formula. Littles start to really enjoy eating solid foods by the time they are 7 or 8 months old and can eat a variety of foods from different food groups.

Sharing clean healthy foods at the Thanksgiving table is a perfect complement to the GMO, sugar and additive free European baby formulas given to your little everyday.

Let’s Talk Turkey.. and All the Thanksgiving Fixings

Along with purees you can start to add larger textures, spices, mixes, and turkey!

That’s right! Many pediatricians are now recommending introducing meat into baby’s diet fairly early, around 7 or 8 months. Make sure to talk to your doctor first.

Turkey:  Rich in protein and iron, it can be pureed with a little water or fruit juice for this age. You can also finely chop roasted turkey in a food processor for baby.

Cranberry Sauce:  Jelly cranberry sauce is perfectly safe for your 6-8 month old, but they are usually loaded with a crazy amount of sugar. As a healthy alternative, make whole cranberry sauce for the family and puree it up to a nice smooth texture for your baby to enjoy.

Blends

Is your little ready for the next level in tastes? These blends are made with pure ingredients and are filled with holiday flavor.  Mixing ingredients is recommended only after your baby has had them separately and you have checked for allergies.   

Carrot-Apple Blend:  It may be too soon for apple pie, but your baby can still enjoy the naturally sweetness of the delicious fruit.

All you need is 1/2 medium apple, cored and peeled, 1/2 carrot, washed and peeled, 2 tbsp. fruit juice and 1 tsp. lemon juice.

1. Puree all ingredients in blender
2. Add a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg at the end for babies closer to 9 months

Acorn Squash and Applesauce:  Is roasted acorn squash on your menu? Make a yummy acorn squash treat for your baby.

1. ½ cup of roasted acorn squash puree
2. ¼ cup of roasted apple puree
3. Mix together and warm
4. Add a dash of nutmeg for older babies

This would make a complete meal for younger babies, or would be delicious served with finely chopped, cooked turkey from 7 months and up.

 Sweet Potato or Pumpkin Pie(ish):  Traditional sweet potato and pumpkin pie recipes use eggs, sugar, and other ingredients not suitable for this age.

Here is a recipe just for baby to enjoy at dessert time with the family.

1. Mash or puree together cooked sweet potato (or cooked pumpkin) with cooked carrot
2. Stir in natural, unflavored yogurt until the dish is nice and creamy
3. Add a dash of nutmeg to give it that extra special pumpkin pie taste

As solids became a bigger part of your little ones diet, European baby formula is still an integral part of a balanced menu. 100% organic, stage 3 baby formula fills in the gaps with nutrition that is completely free of steroids, pesticides, hormones, and chemicals.

At the Thanksgiving table, using ingredients that have very little added sugars and preservatives will help ensure your baby continues to get wholesome, well thought-out meals.

Self Feeding

It’s a messy business, but an important stage to go through. Although many babies will still have only a few teeth at this age, they can gum their food into a softer consistency. So at around nine months you can introduce chunkier finger foods.

Thanksgiving In A Bowl:

Want to share the ultimate Thanksgiving meal with your little turkey? We have the perfect recipe for you.

Nutritious and delicious, this puree has protein from the turkey, beta carotene from the sweet potato and carrots, and vitamin C from the apple.

Cranberries, sweet potato, and apples are a balance of sweet and sour flavors. “Thyme” to help expand your little ones taste buds and give that holiday feel.

At the end, just a little cinnamon gives a last kick that makes this puree smell of a Thanksgiving feast.

1. One turkey breast tender sprinkled with thyme and steamed for 6 mins
2. Add to the steamer 15 baby carrots and 1/2 cup cranberries
3. Add 1/2 an apple and 1 small sweet potato, both peeled and cubed
4. Cook gently for about 6 minutes. Turkey will no longer be pink in the middle and vegetables will be tender.
5. Place all the ingredients in a food processor and puree adding a pinch of cinnamon at the end.

Roasted Vegetables:

As you prepare carrot sticks, sweet potatoes, apples, and squash, set some aside for baby.

1. Cube into baby bite size pieces
2. Place them in a roasting pan or on a baking sheet
3. Dizzle with some organic avocado oil and herbs
4. Roast at 400 degrees for about 20 minutes
5. Vegetables should be tender and easy for baby to gum

Stuffing:

You can share a simple version of stuffing with baby right off the table, just don’t add dried fruits and chestnuts to the mix, as these could be choking hazards.

Baby will enjoy the savory tastes of toasted bread and vegetables like carrots and celery.

Don't be afraid to add spices like finely minced garlic and onion, as well as fresh or dried herbs.

Cranberry Apple Sauce:

Cranberry is a nutritious food for babies as it is rich in Vitamin C, which helps to improve immunity. The tart taste of the cranberry is balanced with the sweetness of the apple in this simple and delicious recipe.

• ½ cup Cranberries
• 1 Large sized sweet apple
• ½ cup Water
• Cinnamon to taste

1. Wash the cranberries in running water thoroughly and strain the water completely using a sieve or colander. Set aside.
2. Wash and peel the apples. Cut them into cubes and keep it ready. Take water in a saucepan, add a small piece of cinnamon and bring it to a boil.
3. Then add in the washed cranberries and cubed apples to the boiling water. Cook the cranberries and apples covered in water for 5 minutes or until the skins are coming off from the cranberries. Once done, switch off the flame. Cool it down.
4. Remove the cinnamon piece from the cooked mixture and transfer the cooked apple and cranberries to a blender. Grind it to a smooth paste. Add the water which is used for cooking to reach the desired consistency while grinding. You could also mash it with potato masher instead of grinding.

Gooey Sugar-Free Apple Pie Filling:

This amazing recipe is made without refined sugar or flour. A sweet dessert that smells and tastes of apple pie. Easy to make and nutritionally sound, your baby will love it. Double the recipe and make enough to heat up the next morning sprinkled with quick cooked oats for a delicious break for you both.

• 1 tbsp butter
• 2 sweet apples-sliced ~⅛ inch thick
• Dash of sea salt
• ½ cup cold water
• 2 tsp Tapioca or arrowroot
• 1 tsp Vanilla extract
• 1 ½ tbsp (21g) unsalted butter or coconut oil, melted and cooled slightly
• 1 large egg white
• Cinnamon and/or apple pie spice to taste

1. Heat the butter in nonstick pan
2. Add apple slices and salt
3. Saute the apples over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, until soft
4. In a small cup, whisk tapioca and vanilla
5. Once the apples have softened, add the tapioca slurry
6. Raise the heat a bit, and stir the apples until thick
7. Remove from the heat
8. Add cinnamon and/or apple pie spices as you like

Vegetables & fruits: Babies should clearly not have access to a raw veggie and fruit tray. You must make sure any produce served to the baby is steamed soft.

Bread & rolls: Babies can have bread or rolls at Thanksgiving, but served soft it poses a choking hazard. Toast any bread you’re going to serve your baby.

Beverages: Fizzy holiday drinks filled with sugars aren’t a healthy choice for babies. Serve a little warm apple juice mixed with apple cider for a beverage treat.

Nuts: As well as honey, dried fruits (including raisins), hard holiday candy, whole grapes or marshmallows. All these items pose dangers to babies and are best left to the adults.

Spices and Herbs: Babies like flavor, just don’t go too spicy.

You have been building the foundation of your little ones eating habits with the world’s best European baby formula.

My Organic Company knows how important it is to give your little one the best nutrition at every meal. That is why we offer only 100% organic baby formula, free of hidden corn syrup, glucose syrup solids, and sugar.

Have a recipe you want to share? Looking for ideas and support for the holidays and beyond? We have a place just for you, HiPP Holle Kendamil & European Baby Formula Parent Community.