This recipe is an adaption of one I found in a quest for an easy finger food for Emma that didn't compromise healthy ingredients for ease.
In my household, we practice "baby-led weaning," in which Emma's primary source of nutrition is her momma's milk, but is slowly incorporating more and more variety in textures. We have not purchased the first jar of baby food. (Gasp). If you're interested in learning more, feel free to read on. If not, or its simply not relevant, scroll on down for my adaptation of these yummy mini muffins!
Before I ever had Emma, I was interested in "Baby-Led Weaning." The term doesn't mean the American definition to wean off of something, but is actually referring to the process a baby "weans onto food." This is something that can be practiced regardless if mom is nursing the baby or bottle feeding.
The thought process behind this method is to allow the baby to learn to chew soft, REAL food, not purée baby food, so as to master this and then later learn swallowing.
Contemporary practices are usually to give puréed baby food and later incorporate thicker textures and more solids.
Research suggests that there may be a higher risk of choking/aspiration on the purée method (commercial baby food), than if the infant learned the "weaning" method using soft table food, in addition to possibly missing out on certain timeframes that the baby goes through that allow acceptance of textures and developmental milestones. Missing these do not make it impossible to learn at a later time, but can be much more difficult.
With this said, the benefits from "baby-led weaning" can include: less risk of aspiration (not to be confused with gag reflex), lower chance of "pickier eating", and earlier fine-tuning of motor skills, i.e. the pincer grasp, as it encourages the baby to "self feed."
Since breastmilk or formula is the primary source of nutrition through age one, it makes sense that food for baby is a preliminary, gradual process, dependent on development and maturation of the individual, and not an automatic "give 2-3 jars of x each day."
I must say, this has worked so well for my girl. She has just excelled at learning how to pick things up properly, feed herself, and will eat ANYTHING I introduce to her. It goes without saying that I'm glad we did it this way.
Links:
http://www.babyledweaning.com
http://wholesomebabyfood.momtastic.com/babyledweaning.htm
http://www.mamanatural.com/baby-led-weaning/
http://www.breastfeedingmamatalk.com/baby-led-weaning/#.VzEzvcj3anM
Flour-less Mini Muffins
Prep: 15 min
Bake: 15 min
Total: 30 min
Servings: 12 mini muffins
Ingredients
1 med sweet potato
2 ripe bananas
2 eggs
2 T coconut oil, divided
1/4 t salt
2 1/2 T 100% maple syrup
1 t cinnamon
2 t baking powder
Directions
Peel, slice and boil sweet potato until fork-tender. Drain. Preheat oven to 350* F. Add all ingredients, except for baking powder for now, into blender/food processor. Blend until smooth. Add baking powder, blending again. Using small amount of canola or coconut oil, grease muffin tin. Pour batter into tin 3/4 full. Bake 12-15 min.
Enjoy!
-Ashley
