Animal proteins are essential for our bodies, and therefore for babies' bodies. They are excellent sources of protein and provide iron , vitamin B12 , and omega-3 fatty acids : nutrients that are very important for a child's growth . Animal proteins include meat, fish, and eggs.
When can animal proteins be introduced into a baby's diet?
From the start of the child-led weaning process, it will be important to introduce small amounts of animal protein into their diet, adapting the textures and form of presentation .
Animal proteins are the foods that raise the most questions when starting to introduce solid foods, why?
Simply because:
- Texture often poses a problem ;
- The amount to be offered to the baby is regulated in order not to exhaust the baby's kidneys, which are still too immature to digest large quantities of animal protein.
Photo: © Lune et l'autre
How much animal protein should I give my baby?
When preparing your baby's meal, pay attention to the following recommendations from health authorities:
- 10g per day (i.e., 2 teaspoons of animal protein or 1/4 of an egg) before the age of 1 year ;
- 20g per day (i.e., 4 teaspoons of animal protein or half an egg ) before the age of 2 years ;
- 30g per day (i.e., 6 teaspoons of animal protein or 1 egg ) before the age of 3 years .
It's important to know that nutritional balance is achieved over the course of a week . Don't panic if you exceed the recommended portions in a single day! It's much easier to adjust their menu over a week than on a daily basis. If your baby eats a little more animal protein one day, reduce the amount the next.
During breast milk feeding BLW , it's ideal to vary the different sources of animal protein in your baby's diet as much as possible. We often tend to eat too much meat compared to our needs. The recommendations for varying animal protein over a week are as follows:
- meat -based meals ;
- fish -based meals ;
- egg -based meals .
Also consider legumes, which are a great plant-based alternative providing just as much iron for your baby!
A point to consider regarding animal proteins in a baby's diet
The different animal proteins will always be offered well-cooked .
From a microbiological perspective, raw meat , raw fish , and raw or undercooked are risky foods . They should be avoided in a baby's diet until the age of 4 .
Let every age experience the joy of discovering new flavors. Carpaccio, tartare, smoked salmon, sushi, soft-boiled or boiled eggs, etc., will awaken a baby's taste buds after the age of 4.
Meats in BLW
From the start of BLW , you can offer your baby white or red such as pork, chicken, turkey, duck, beef, etc. However, we advise you to start with milder-tasting meats such as beef, chicken, and veal.
It is also advisable to avoid processed meats, which offer no nutritional value for babies and are often high in salt , additives, and saturated fats. Furthermore, processed meats are among the raw meats that should be absolutely avoided before the age of four.
Cooked ham can be offered to the baby occasionally during meals.
How to introduce meat to a baby?
To introduce a baby to the true taste of different meats, it is perfectly possible to offer them well-cooked slices of meat or even cooked meatballs .
After the BLW Breast -Led Weaning) phase , you can introduce meat to your baby in delicious homemade recipes. Choose melt-in-your-mouth meat-based recipes that your baby can easily eat without teeth, such as meatballs , cakes , or kefta .
When baby masters the "pincer " formed with his thumb and forefinger to grasp food, you can offer him the meat in small, melting pieces directly on his plate.
Fish in BLW
From the start of BLW , you can offer well-cooked , boneless to your little one, such as salmon, cod, sole, etc.
One of the two fish-based meals during the week should be prepared with a fish high in omega 3 such as mackerel, herring, trout or sardines.
It is strongly advised to avoid fish that may contain heavy metals, such as eel, carp, monkfish, sea bass, sea bream, etc. Tuna is a fish with a high mercury content; it can be offered to babies in moderation
How to offer fish to a baby?
From the start of BLW , it will be possible to introduce your little one to the true taste of fish by offering it well cooked and in the form of large strips or in balls made of puree if the fish is too brittle.
After the initial exploration phase , you can introduce fish to your baby in delicious homemade recipes. Opt for melt-in-your-mouth dishes like fish balls , fish sticks , or muffins . You can also offer fish as a spread , presented in a carrier or using a pre-filled spoon .
Once your baby has mastered the pincer grasp using their thumb and forefinger to pick up food, you can offer flaked fish directly onto their plate. Your baby will also be able to eat the fish with a fork once their fine motor skills are well developed.
Eggs in BLW
From the start of child-led weaning, you can offer eggs to your baby. However, this introduction into your baby's diet must be done carefully and cautiously, as eggs are among the 14 major allergens .
Eggs on a baby's plate can be in the form of an omelet or a hard-boiled egg . They can also be incorporated into homemade meal or snack recipes after the initial exploration phase.
What can I use instead of the egg?
Eggs are often a key ingredient in recipes such as flans, cakes, and cookies. It's therefore important to limit egg intake to avoid straining a baby's still-developing kidneys.
It is easy to replace the egg in baby food recipes:
- 55g of apple compote for muffin, cake or pancake recipes;
- 1 mashed banana for snack preparations;
- 60g of yogurt to replace beaten egg in recipes;
- 3 tbsp of aquafaba (chickpea juice) to replace a whole egg;
- 2 tbsp of aquafaba to replace one egg white. Perfect for recipes requiring whipped egg whites such as meringues or homemade mayonnaise;
- 1 tbsp of flax seeds (15 ml) mixed with 2 tbsp of water (30 ml) for recipes requiring a raising agent. Only suitable for recipes containing 1, 2 or a maximum of 3 eggs;
- 50g of tofu for recipes requiring a large quantity of eggs or recipes needing a raising or binding agent. Note that tofu is made from soy, an allergen;
- 1 tbsp of chia seeds in 5 tbsp of water for recipes requiring a binding agent such as muffins, cakes, etc. Let the mixture rest until it is firm;
- 3 tbsp of chickpea flour in 3 tbsp of water for savory preparations such as omelets, quiches, etc.
There are also many recipes that can be prepared without eggs !
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