Is It Safe To Give Ghee To Babies? - When To Start Ghee For Babies?

When it comes to taking care of our little bundles of joy, every mother wants the best for their baby. In nourishing my baby I used ghee as the main ingredient in my baby's diet. In this article, I will explore all the queries like how to introduce ghee to babies, when to start, the benefits of ghee for your little ones, and also how to make organic ghee at home.

 When to Introduce ghee to your baby's diet?

Six Months: You can introduce ghee to babies from the age of six months, which is also the recommended age to introduce solid foods to infants /babies. However make sure to start with a small amount, You can begin by adding a few drops to your baby’s lentil and rice khichdi and then gradually increase this quantity as the baby grows.

If your baby has a milk allergy or lactose (sugar found in milk or milk products) intolerance, consult your pediatrician before introducing ghee to your baby's diet.

How To Introduce Ghee To Your Baby?

Start Slow: Start by adding a tiny amount of ghee to your baby’s food, such as mashed vegetables or rice cereal.

Observe For Reaction: Keep an eye out for any adverse reactions like rashes, vomiting, or diarrhea. If you notice any of these, stop feeding ghee and consult your pediatrician.

Gradually Increase: As your baby tolerates ghee well, you can gradually increase the amount over time.

Quality Matters: Try to make homemade cow ghee for the baby, or opt for high-quality of organic ghee to be sure that your baby gets nutrients without any harmful additives.

How Much Ghee Can You Give to Your Baby?

Though Ghee is very beneficial for your baby’s growth and development, it is important to consume a limited amount of ghee per day. Excess ghee can cause some side effects like digestive problems, loss of appetite, or overweight.

 The Table below indicates the amount of ghee and the number of servings that are appropriate for your baby’s age.

Age of Baby	Quantity of Ghee	How many times a day?
6 months	½ teaspoon	2
8 months	¾ to 1 teaspoon	2
10 months	1 to 1 ¼ teaspoon	3
1 year	1 to 1 ½ teaspoon	3
2 years	1 ½ to 2 teaspoons	3

 

How to Include Ghee in Your Baby’s Diet?

It is super easy to include ghee in your baby's diet. You can start by adding a few drops of ghee to the baby’s khichdi, vegetable puree, or mashed potatoes. For toddlers apply ghee on chapati or paratha instead of butter. You can also use ghee in small amounts instead of cooking oil. for example, if you are making uttapam or pancakes for your baby you can replace cooking oil or butter with ghee. You can use ghee instead of regular salted butter on bread as well.

Benefits of Ghee for Infants:

Consuming moderate quantities of ghee can be beneficial for infants. Many parents may wonder whether ghee is good for their baby, here is a list of the various ways in which ghee benefits your baby:

Promotes Brain Development: The healthy fats in ghee support brain development, which is crucial during the early years of a baby's life.

Helps With Weight Gain: Ghee is high in healthy fats and calories. It can help your baby to gain weight even after the baby has weaned off breast milk.

Boosts Immunity: contains antioxidants that help strengthen your baby’s immune system, keeping those nasty germs at bay.

Helps Strengthen Bones: Ghee contains vitamin K and Vitamin D, which help in the production of calcium in the body, which is essential for the development of strong bones.

Aids Digestion: Ghee is easy to digest and can help soothe your baby’s tummy troubles like gas and constipation.

Contains Essential Vitamins and Minerals: Ghee contains calcium, which is good for bone health. It also contains numerous vitamins and DHA – which can be incredibly beneficial for the eyes, skin, and immunity.

Enhances Test: Adding a few drops of ghee to your baby's food can enhance the test of food to encourage the baby to eat more.

Is it Risky To Give Too Much Ghee to a Baby?

Yes, excessive consumption of ghee can cause problems in the body. Ghee has many health benefits when given in moderate amounts. Too much ghee can cause indigestion, upset tummy, and loss of appetite since ghee is high in fat and calories. Babies need different foods to grow healthy. Too much ghee means they might miss out on other important nutrients from fruits, veggies, grains, and proteins. Therefore, it is important to limit the consumption of ghee to 1 or 1 ½ teaspoons per day for babies.

Myths and Facts About Giving Ghee to Babies:

While there are myths surrounding the consumption of ghee by babies, there are some myths and facts that as a parent you must be aware of :

Myth: Giving ghee to babies will make them gain weight too quickly.

Fact: While ghee is high in calories, it can be a healthy source of fat for babies when given in moderation as part of a balanced diet. Excessive consumption of any high-calorie food, including ghee, can contribute to weight gain, but moderate amounts can provide essential nutrients for a baby's growth and development.

Myth: Ghee is difficult for babies to digest.

Fact: Ghee is easier for babies to digest compared to whole butter because the process of clarifying butter removes the milk solids that can be harder to digest. Ghee is often recommended for babies with lactose intolerance or milk protein sensitivities due to its low lactose and casein content.

Myth: Babies should not consume any fats until they are older.

Fact: Fats are an essential nutrient for babies' growth and development, particularly for brain development. Healthy fats like those found in ghee are important for providing energy and supporting the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. However, the key is to offer fats in moderation and choose healthy sources like ghee, avocado, and olive oil.

Myth: Ghee will cause allergies in babies.

Fact: While some babies may have allergies or sensitivities to dairy products, ghee is generally well-tolerated because the clarification process removes most of the milk solids that can trigger allergic reactions. However, it's essential to monitor for any signs of allergic reactions when introducing ghee or any new food to a baby's diet.

Myth: Ghee is only beneficial for babies in traditional cultures.

Fact: Ghee has been used for centuries in traditional cultures for its health benefits, but modern research also supports its nutritional value. Ghee is rich in fat-soluble vitamins and healthy fatty acids, making it a valuable addition to a baby's diet when introduced appropriately.

How To Prepare Homemade Ghee for Babies?

Making ghee at home is a simple process that involves clarifying butter to remove the milk solids. Here's a basic method to make ghee:

 Ingredients:

- Unsalted butter/homemade butter.

-Tulsi leaves.

Equipment:

- Heavy-bottomed saucepan

- Fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth

- Clean, dry glass jar for storage

Instructions: 

1. Start by cutting the unsalted butter into smaller chunks. This will help it melt more evenly.

 2. Place the butter chunks in a heavy-bottomed saucepan and heat it over low to medium heat. Allow the butter to melt slowly.

 3. As the butter melts, it will start to separate into three layers: foam on top, clarified butter (ghee) in the middle, and milk solids at the bottom. Add tulsi 2-3 leaves in the butter.  

4. Let the butter simmer gently. You'll notice the foam rising to the surface. Use a spoon to skim off the foam as it forms. This foam consists of milk solids and impurities that you want to remove. 

5. Continue simmering the butter until the milk solids at the bottom of the saucepan turn golden brown. This indicates that the moisture has evaporated, and the ghee is ready. 

6. Once the milk solids have browned, remove the saucepan from the heat and let it cool slightly. 

7. Place a fine-mesh strainer or a piece of cheesecloth over a clean, dry glass jar or container. 

8. Carefully pour the melted butter through the strainer or cheesecloth to separate the golden liquid (ghee) from the milk solids. Discard the milk solids left behind in the strainer.

 9. Allow the ghee to cool completely before sealing the jar. It will solidify at room temperature but will remain soft and spreadable.

 10. Store the homemade ghee in a cool, dark place, such as a pantry or cupboard. It can be kept at room temperature for several weeks or refrigerated for longer storage.