Parents often ask their doctors when they can start figs for babies due to the several health benefits of figs. Fig is a delectable, nutritious fruit from the common fig tree (Ficus carica). It is from the mulberry family and has dark green to purplish skin. Ripe figs have magenta pulp that is filled with tiny edible seeds. They taste sweet and carry a hint of berry flavor. Figs are available in fresh, dried, or canned forms. The nutritional value of a fig depends on the variety of the fig. Read this post to know about the nutritional value and health benefits of figs, the right age and way to feed figs to babies, and baby-friendly fig recipes.
When Can Babies Eat Figs?
Most babies can eat fresh, fully-ripe figs as puree or mash from six months of age. Once they adjust to fig’s taste and digestibility, you can add them to other foods, such as porridge. Once your baby is nine to ten months old, feed small, bite-sized pieces of figs as finger foods. Babies between six and 12 months of age should not eat dried figs as they are a potential choking hazard (1). If you wish to feed dried fig to babies younger than 12 months, serve it in cooked, mashed, or puree form.
Nutritional Value Of Fig
Figs offer several vital nutrients, such as dietary fiber, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, antioxidants, and vitamins A, B, E, K and C (2). One small, fresh fig (40g) added to your baby’s regular diet can offer the following nutrients (3) (4) (5). AI = Adequate intake – nutrient level assumed to ensure nutritional adequacy. Sources: U.S. Department of Agriculture and Oregon State University
Possible Health Benefits Of Figs
The inclusion of figs in a baby’s diet could provide the little one the following benefits (6).
How To Select And Store Figs?
Below are some tips that can help you carefully select and store figs for safe feeding.
Tips for selecting figs
Tips for storing figs
Precautions To Take While Feeding Figs To Babies
Observing some simple precautions ensures your baby consumes figs safely.
Buy organic figs from a reputable seller to ensure the quality of the fruit. Store them carefully as figs are delicate and bruise easily.
Begin feeding fresh figs in mash or puree form to your baby. Once the baby likes the taste and texture and can digest the figs comfortably, begin adding the fruit to other foods.
Follow the “three-day wait” rule and during this time; feed only figs and no other new food to your baby. It helps rule out sensitivity, intolerance, or allergy.
Introduce one to two teaspoons of pureed or mashed fig to your baby. Once the baby is comfortable with the fruit’s taste and digestibility, gradually increase the amount to a tablespoon or two.
If the baby looks uncomfortable after ingesting figs, stop feeding immediately, and try again later. If the problem persists, consult a pediatrician.
Fig allergy (oral allergy syndrome) is possible, and its symptoms come up immediately after ingesting or touching fresh or dry figs. Pay attention to allergy signs, such as itchy skin rash (hives), sneezing, wheezing, or sore throat (9).
Babies allergic to fig may show cross-reactivity to weeping fig latex, natural rubber latex (latex-fruit syndrome), birch pollen, avocado, kiwi fruit, mulberry, and papaya (10) (11) (12). If your baby has a family history of allergies, consult a doctor before feeding figs in any form.
Both fresh and dry figs might interact with certain drugs. If your baby is on medications, consult your doctor before adding fig to your baby’s diet.
Don’t go overboard with figs. Feeding too many figs, especially dried figs, may cause gastrointestinal discomfort, such as diarrhea, in some babies.
Healthy Fig Recipes For Babies
Now, as you know about figs, let’s see some baby-friendly fig recipes that you can prepare for your baby.
1. Fig puree
You will need:
1 fresh fig (peeled and chopped) 1tbsp breast milk or formula (optional)
How to prepare:
2. Apricot and fig puree
You will need:
2 apricots (mashed) 2 figs (mashed) ¼ cup breast milk or formula
How to prepare:
3. Roasted fig mash
You will need:
2 figs 1tsp olive oil
How to prepare:
4. Fig yogurt smoothie
You will need:
2 figs (mashed) 1 cup unsweetened, plain Greek yogurt ½ tsp nuts powder (almond, walnut, and pistachio)
How to prepare:
