Baby smoothies

I’ve heard it said that babies will usually want to eat what the parents are eating. It made a lot of sense, but I got a glimpse the first time Liv made a grab for my salmon salad. Like the swiftest salad ninja, one second I was taking a bite, and the next, my plate was rapidly sliding towards us. I didn’t give her any, as she was only a few months old at the time, but she watched intently as each bite went onto my fork and into my mouth. From then on, I felt rude eating with her sitting on my lap, since I couldn’t share the goods.

A similar event occurred recently when I was drinking a carrot karma Jamba Juice. She kept grabbing at my straw and fussing. Finally, I plugged the end of the straw and gave her a small taste. She looked up at me wide-eyed. Why had I been holding out?!

I hadn’t thought about making her a baby-friendly smoothie until that point, as the smoothies I drink at home aren’t anything I would give her. Almond milk, protein powder, cocoa powder, Stevia- all things she won’t have until she’s older.

Baby, I made this one just for you:

Smoothies

My friend Jeni told me that would make her son smoothies using water instead of milk when he was already enjoying fruits and veggies. I decided to give it a whirl, using fruits that I knew Liv was used to and already loved.

Fruit

Sweet Peach Smoothie:

-1/2 banana

-1 C frozen mango

-1 peach, peeled and diced

-1 C filtered water

Age at the time: 7 1/2 months

I even poured a glass for myself to drink…

Baby smoothie

But here’s the pic of the ultimate taste-tester:

Baby smoothie 4

My husband said she couldn’t slurp it down fast enough- she went crazy for it! I also took some to work for a friend who has a baby Livi’s age, and apparently he cried when he was done drinking it.. he wanted more! Who knew that something so simple could be so delicious and exciting?

Baby smoothies are especially fantastic because they can be frozen in popsicle molds,

stirred into oatmeal or morning hot cereal,

as a cool snack for teething babies,

and great little nutrient boost.

***Every time I make Liv a new smoothie, I’ll post the recipe on this page to share. I’ll be sure to include her age with the recipe, but as always, use your pediatrician’s advice before introducing any new fruits or veggies to your baby <3

Bottoms up, beeb <3

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30 Comments

  1. sarah on August 30, 2012 at 5:07 pm

    My 1 year old is a little picky with the veggies these days, but I LOVE throwing a handful of spinach in with her smoothies 🙂 Her fave is frozen banana, soy milk, avocado, and spinach. Go figure!

    • Amy on August 30, 2012 at 6:30 pm

      Same with my 20 month old… he LOVES “mooties!” 🙂

  2. Erin @ Girl Gone Veggie on August 30, 2012 at 5:11 pm

    This was so adorable! I love how the internet has so many great ideas and recipes for people of all ages. When I have kids I want to get them started on fruits and veggies early, so that it will hopefully be habits that stick with them for the rest of their life!

  3. Jen on August 30, 2012 at 5:21 pm

    Oh my gosh, why haven’t I thought of this! My little guy (14.5 months) would love these! Thanks for sharing the idea!

  4. Megan Infantino on August 30, 2012 at 5:32 pm

    Aw! I love the concept!!

  5. Emily on August 30, 2012 at 5:35 pm

    I have always made the twins smoothies, they love cold drinks. I throw some yobaby in there too since my kids ate skinny minnies and need the fat 😉

  6. Averie @ Averie Cooks on August 30, 2012 at 5:38 pm

    I love that you’re able to make your smoothie (the mango chili one) and Liv’s and tweak the flavors for your individual palettes. Bet she was in heaven with this one 🙂

  7. Sarabell on August 30, 2012 at 5:47 pm

    What a great idea, baby smoothies!

  8. Sam @ Better With Sprinkles on August 30, 2012 at 5:50 pm

    That’s so cute!

    Babies like smoothies. Filing that away for when I’ve got my own wee ones. 🙂

  9. Abby on August 30, 2012 at 6:01 pm

    Love it! My Daughter loves smoothies too!

  10. Wendy Heath on August 30, 2012 at 6:23 pm

    Rofl @ “Be freezed”- be frozen? Looks like a great baby recipe! Just a cold fruit blend, really… and lots of babies love pureed fruit…

    • Fitnessista on August 30, 2012 at 7:01 pm

      haha oops.

  11. Catherine @ Rabbit Food For My Bunny Teeth on August 30, 2012 at 7:31 pm

    Too cute!!!!

  12. Rebecca on August 30, 2012 at 8:24 pm

    Looks yummy – think I will try making Max a smoothie!

  13. Amber L on August 30, 2012 at 8:53 pm

    what a great idea!! I am excited to do this with Elliana when she is old enough!

  14. Amanda @ Diary of a Semi-Health Nut on August 30, 2012 at 8:58 pm

    Such a simple idea…love it! Basically pureed fruit (baby food) but the frozen mango makes it cold!

  15. Stef on August 31, 2012 at 12:11 am

    Ah, thank you for this recipe! I am hoping that my son will actually be into eating actual food by the time he is that age. He turned 6 months a week ago and so far is NOT into solid food. We will see how the smoothie is for him!

  16. Carrie on August 31, 2012 at 12:14 am

    It’s so cute that she loved it! There are tons of variations, too. 🙂

    The first time my daugther drank from a straw was actually when we were having smoothies. I walked out of the room and my husband said she had been drinking out of a straw. I believe she was 7 or 8 months. I didn’t believe him until I saw it because it was a really thick smoothie! She actually drank out of a straw sippy for months instead of a typical one.

  17. Carrie on August 31, 2012 at 12:18 am

    One more quick comment! Gina~ I’m not sure if you’ve begun introducing solid foods yet or not, but I sometimes saute up baby spinach for my daughter (chopping it a bit before cooking helps) and she adores it. I season with a little garlic and olive oil. It was one of the first foods I gave her that she loved. I just put the little pieces on her tray and it was so small that it was easy for her to eat. Also, I’m not sure how you feel about the soy, but she also goes crazy over tofu. I cut it into small cubes and saute for just a minute or two.

  18. Katie on August 31, 2012 at 2:08 am

    Have you seen these: http://thesilico.com/ I got one for my son when he’s ready to eat food. They seem like they’d be perfect for feeding smoothies (and they have some awesome sounding smoothie recipes on their site…the gingerbread one sounds amazing!).

  19. An on August 31, 2012 at 5:41 am

    Thanks for the recipe – my 5 month old loves them, a watermelon apple smoothie was the first “solid” food he ever ate….glad I’m not the only one who feels guilty eating in front of our baby by the way!!

  20. Jen on August 31, 2012 at 11:47 am

    I’ve got awhile until I can try one of these out on my son, but I can’t wait! Already pinned 🙂 Thanks for sharing!

  21. Julie on August 31, 2012 at 4:04 pm

    LOL over your friend’s baby who cried when it was all gone! 😛

  22. Stephanie @ Legally Blinde on September 1, 2012 at 12:00 pm

    Haha, awww that’s such a cute picture of Liv with the smoothie around her mouth – adorable!

  23. nicole on September 5, 2012 at 11:35 am

    The smoothie looks delic. Love the new setup!

  24. Kimberly @ Healthy Strides on September 5, 2012 at 1:13 pm

    I do tons of smoothies for my 14-month-old. He’s gotten pickier about fruit, and it’s a great way to make it fun. I’ll throw in sweet potato or pumpkin as well for a bit of vegetable. He’s even done the green monster!

  25. Amelia @ Eating Made Easy on November 30, 2012 at 11:33 am

    As she gets older and it becomes trickier to make meals balanced, smoothies are also a great way to get more veggies in – toss some kale and spinach in there and you’ve got a baby version of a salad! Avocado and plain yogurt make smoothies like a full balanced meal. Yum.

  26. Tina on May 7, 2013 at 9:04 pm

    I just found your site via a Pinterest pin….curious if you posted any other smoothie recipies/ideas for babies? I have twins that I think would LOVE LOVE LOVE trying this out, and I’d love more ideas for combos!

  27. Mandy Dugas on March 14, 2014 at 2:57 pm

    Awwww!! So cute! Thanks for posting this Gina!! I can’t wait to give our baby girl smoothies soon!!

    – Mandy @ MandysHealthyLife.com

  28. Mini on April 4, 2016 at 1:32 am

    does these smoothies enough like one time meal for 2 year old baby.

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