Written by Infant Feeding Specialist and Little Melly Founder, Jennifer Muller Mansour
What is Custard?
Custard is a thick, creamy and sweet dessert puree. There are two very different ways of having it:
Home-made custard is made from milk, eggs, butter, sugar, cornstarch and vanilla extract.
Store-bought custard is made of maize starch, wheat starch, sugar, salt, colors (102, 110, 150d) and flavors.
Can I Give Custard To My Baby?
If you're offering a baby-proof recipe for custard that is home-made, then babies as of 6 months of age can definitely enjoy custard. It is delicious, simple on their taste buds and favored by a baby's innate liking for sweet tastes.
Here's how to ensure your custard is baby proof: don't use salt, sugar or sugar substitutes, and use flour as a substitute for cornstarch.
Is Home-made Custard Nutritionally Helpful For Babies?
While custard has several benefits like calcium, protein, and vitamin D from the milk and eggs, always ensure that your baby has a well-varied meal plan throughout the day and throughout the week that ensure every food group is offered.
The Benefits Of Home-Made Custard:
- It's an excellent source of protein.
- It contains calcium - a good element for bone health.
- It gives energy.
- It satiates your baby.
- It maintains brain health.
Is Powdered Custard Healthy For Babies?
No. Powdered ready-to-mix custard is made of corn flour and many other ingredients like sweeteners and preservatives that we prefer not to introduce to children under the age of 2 years.
Also, store-bought powder custard has no benefits at all. When 80% of your baby's brain is developed by the age of 2, this means every meal they eat should fuel growth in their body.
Should Custard Be Served Warm Or Cold?
Custard is typically prepared in advance and left in the fridge for a few hours or overnight to firm up. It is then served cold. You can certainly offer custard cold to your baby, but follow their lead on how they prefer their food temperature. Some babies are sensitive to very cold meals.
Is Oat Custard Good For Babies?
Oat Custard is made with oats, milk and egg yolk, and it can be a nutritious and healthy option for babies! These ingredients are all crucial for baby's development.
You can make oats custard with our baby oat cereal! Just add 1/4 cup of oat cereal, 1 cup of milk, a banana and date paste or vanilla extract for some sweetness!
