I am sorry to say, but your eight month old is not ready for coconut milk. Although almond milk is close in nutrient content to cow’s milk, it is still not close enough to meet a baby’s needs! The milk and water of a coconut can give a new and exciting flavor to rice, vegetables, white meat and purees. Most babies need the fat in whole milk to support normal growth and brain development during the busy early toddler period. It can also be useful in restoring electrolyte balance in infants with diarrhea (9) . Coconut water can be used as a rehydration drink during the summer months.
Coconut water is a refreshing, rehydrating, and nutritious drink. It is easy to absorb and has a good nutritional profile. Almond milk is one of the most commonly substituted milk alternatives for babies and children who can’t have cow’s milk. Step 1. And coconut milk is actually not milk. Another tip is to be mindful of the salt/sodium level of food. Coconut tends to undergo nutrient loss if not served fresh, so it is best to only give your baby fresh coconut water. Always remember to add new foods with care and by themselves for a few days. Stick to formula or breast milk. Can I Give My Baby Coconut? Coconut belongs to palm family and not tree nut family. From use in curries to medicinal use, this milk has a lot of properties that make it useful for a variety of purposes. Breastfed babies over 1 year may continue to nurse, if desired, but you also can start offering your little one whole milk. First of all, babies should be able to sit on their own and chew things properly before trying out any cereals, which are usually after 1 year mark.. As the baby reaches 9 to 12 months period, your baby can try small quantities of foods made with whole milk, including homemade cheese sauce, yogurt, cheese, scrambled eggs, or mashed potatoes with milk to see how they like it. She could get sick from drinking coconut milk and have runny stool. It’s a tasty option that works well in many recipes as well as when consumed on it’s own. This is a wrong notion. Out of all the edible parts of a coconut, only its water can be given to babies who are above the age of … But don't replace breastmilk/formula feeds with coconut milk until after 12 months. Coconut cream is generally used in dessert recipes, whereas coconut milk has many culinary uses! Drinks you can give your toddler (other than water or milk) Section: Looking after your toddler With new recommendations that children should only drink water or milk to avoid tooth decay , we’ve looked to see if there are any alternatives that are still healthy but don’t have the high sugar content that is causing the dental problems. After that, parents may wonder what the best option is for them. That way if your little one has a reaction you will know what caused it straight away. Coconut water is drunk by yoga enthusiasts as an energy drink; the outer husk is used to make ropes; the tasty fruit inside is loved by kids and adults alike. claims that allergy from coconuts is rare, but you should always consult your paediatrician before giving your child coconut and its related products. Yes, coconut milk can be given to babies. Lot of people mistake coconut to be a nut and think that as a nut coconut can also induce allergies. But don't give low-fat or nonfat milk . If you are breast feeding drink it yourself so she can get to nutrients from your breast milk. However, like any other food item, it should be used in moderation and cannot be overfed.
If you want to use coconut milk in your baby food recipes, then make sure it is unsweetened and has had nothing else added to it.
May improve digestion and absorption: Some research studies have shown that regular consumption of coconut water might improve the digestion and absorption of nutrients (10) . Better still, make your own coconut cream or coconut milk from fresh coconut - it's VERY easy to do! Ideally, babies should not be given milks other than breast milk until their first birthday. However, it is the milk of the coconut that is most useful. Let your child drink coconut water in sips instead of drinking it all up in one go. Cow’s milk has been touted as one of the healthiest foods you can give your growing baby or toddler. Babies can't handle as much as adults. The health benefits of coconut water for babies include supply of essential vitamins, minerals and electrolytes, treats gastrointestinal diseases, useful in treating cholera, improves constipation in children, effective in treating diarrhea in babies, possesses antimicrobial properties, can treat urinary tract infections and acts as a remedy for bilious fever. You can use it as a substitute for juice and add it to smoothies.