In one of our recent blogs, we discussed the importance of incorporating good fats into your diet. But, did you know that this is just as important for babies as it is adults? We’ll explain why and offer suggestions on how to get more good fat into their diets.

Why babies need good fats

Good fat is essential for growing babies. It helps with cell repair, provides energy, helps them feel full, and is important for brain development and organ an bone growth. To ensure that children get enough fat to help them develop and grow healthily, approximately 40 to 50 percent of calories in their diet should come from fat, until they stop growing. That means babies need about six tablespoons of healthy fat every day, most of which comes from breast milk or milk. (We’ve got you covered on that topic here, moms.) If you aren’t sure if your baby is getting enough good fat, though, you can add additional teaspoon to their daily intake to ensure guidelines are met.

Add coconut oil to your baby’s diet

One of the easiest ways to add good fat to your baby’s diet is by giving him or her coconut oil. You’ll probably have the best luck doing so by adding it to baby food or purees. You can easily do so with store-bought baby food, or you can make your own healthy baby food and snacks to supplement your baby’s diet.

Below, find three recipes that prove just how easy it is to make your own natural baby food with coconut oil. (Some of the recipes even call for freezing, and frozen bites are great to give your baby as he or she starts teething and needs relief!)

Coconut applesauce bites

Recipe found on The Balanced Life.

Ingredients

1 cup organic, unsweetened applesauce (any flavor)

1 tablespoon coconut oil, melted

Directions

1. Combine applesauce and melted coconut oil in a bowl and mix well.
2. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and drop bite-size drops of your coconut applesauce mixture onto the cookie sheet.
3. Place the cookie sheet in the freezer until the bites solidify.
4. Given a few frozen bites to your baby as a snack.
5. Store the bites in the freezer in an airtight, freezer-safe container or bag.

Fruit or vegetable puree

Recipe found on Deliciously Organic and adapted.

Ingredients

6-7 cups of your desired fruit or vegetable, cut into 1-inch pieces as needed

2 tablespoons coconut oil, melted

2-4 tablespoons unsweetened coconut milk, mother's breast milk, or organic formula

Directions

1. Melt the coconut oil in a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Swirl the pan to coat it with the melted coconut oil and add your chosen fruits or vegetables. Cook the mixture, stirring occasionally until the fruits or vegetables are very soft (about 10 minutes).
2. Pour the fruits or vegetables into a blender and add 2 tablespoons of the milk of your choice. Puree the mixture until it’s smooth. (You may need to add another 1-2 tablespoons until the puree reaches your desired consistency).
3. Let mixture cool completely before spooning it into an ice cube tray and letting it freeze.
4. Thaw individual pieces when you need a meal for your baby.
5. Store the pieces in the freezer in an airtight, freezer-safe container or bag.

Apricot, pear, and coconut oil puree

Recipe found on Baby Foode.

Ingredients

6 apricots, fresh or frozen, pitted

2 pears, roughly chopped

1/2 cup liquid (water, breast milk, or stock)

1 teaspoon coconut oil

Directions

1. Combine the apricots, pears, and liquid of your choice in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cover the saucepan for 10 minutes, but stir the mixture occasionally.
2. Let cool the mixture cool slightly before transferring it into a blender or food processor. Add the coconut oil and puree the mixture for one minute or until it’s completely smooth.
3. Feed the puree to your baby as you would any other pureed or store-bought baby food.
4. Store the puree in an air-tight container in the fridge for four days or in the freezer for four months.

Purchase Pure Baby

If you have Skinny Coconut Oil in your pantry or cupboards, it’s an ideal choice for these recipes. Another option is Pure Baby, a pure coconut oil product designed with both babies and moms in mind that can be used in a number of ways.

If you try any of these recipes or have any others you’d like to share, leave us a comment below!