If you’re wondering how to serve spinach to your baby you’ve come to the right place. Spinach is a fantastic source of iron for your baby and should be on the list of the first 100 foods you offer to them. Find out here how to serve spinach to your baby, the answers to other commonly asked questions and a list of our favourite recipes that use spinach including spinach fritters, spinach pancakes and spinach & sweet potato burgers!
How to Serve Spinach to Baby
Spinach is a nutrient-rich leafy green vegetable that can be introduced to babies around 6 months old. Here’s how you can serve spinach to your baby:
Preparation: Wash the spinach leaves thoroughly to remove any dirt or grit.
Cooking: Steam or boil the spinach until it wilts and becomes soft. This helps to reduce any potential oxalates.
Mashing: Once cooked, drain the spinach and finely chop it up with scissors or blend it into a smooth puree.
Serving: Allow the spinach to cool down to an appropriate temperature before offering it to your baby. You can serve it as a standalone puree or mix it with other cooked vegetables or grains for added flavour and nutrition.
What are the Health Benefits of Offering Spinach to Your Baby?
Spinach is one of our favourite foods. Not only is it jam packed full of incredible nutrients that will look after your and your baby’s health, it’s really versatile too and can be used in so many different meals.
We love throwing spinach into pancake batter, using it to create healthy vegetarian burgers and adding it to curries and pasta dishes too.
Why choose spinach for baby led weaning?
- Contains insoluble fibre which may help to prevent constipation
- Packed full of Vitamin C for a healthy immune system
- A fantastic source of iron, something your baby needs to get from food sources after six months+
- Contains calcium – vital for bone and teeth health
Our favourite baby led weaning products
Should I serve spinach cooked or raw for my baby?
It is recommended to serve spinach cooked for babies as it helps to break down the fibers and make it easier to digest. Steam or boil spinach until it becomes tender.
Can I puree spinach for my baby?
Yes, cooked spinach can be pureed to create a smooth and creamy texture that is suitable for younger babies. You can also mix it with other pureed vegetables or grains for added nutrients.
Can I mix spinach with other foods like mashed potatoes or pasta?
Absolutely! Cooked and finely chopped spinach can be mixed with mashed potatoes, pasta, or added to soups and stews to boost the nutritional content of the meal.
Our Favourite Recipes for Babies Using Spinach
Author: Nicola Hughes
Nicola has weaned both of her boys using the baby led weaning method. She loves nothing better than creating simple recipes that anyone can recreate, using as few ingredients as possible. All of her recipes have been tried and tested by both Dexter and Felix and have their seal of approval!