Giving Cucumber to Babies – Is It Safe?

There is no season, no time, no occasion when cucumber does not form a part of meals in any family. Usually served as a salad or a side dish, cucumbers are even eaten as a random snack or made a vital ingredient in the main course. As your child starts on solids, you might be on the fence with regards to giving him some cucumber to taste since it would be the safest food to try out. But that isn’t the case. Cucumber needs to be fed to a baby the right way and at the right time, keeping a few precautions in mind.

Can Infants Eat Cucumber?

On a general note, as it comes to other solids and vegetables and fruits that are good for your baby, cucumber can also be considered in the same category. Giving your baby cucumber is not a problem and can help him reap the benefits from its nutrition. But it should be introduced at the right time. Find out when can you include cucumber in your baby’s diet.

When Can You Introduce Cucumber to Your Child?

Babies should be introduced solids when they turn six months old. However, most doctors recommend continuing breastfeeding until the baby is at least a year old along with introducing foods. You can introduce cucumber to your baby after six to eight months of age, after checking with your baby’s doctor. And when you do that, make sure you remove the seeds when you give it.   

Nutritional Value of Cucumber

Contrary to what people might know, there are tons of nutrients present in cucumber that make it an absolutely healthy vegetable item. In a 100g serving of peeled cucumber, the distribution of its nutrition is as follows:

Health Benefits of Cucumber for Babies

Eating cucumber can provide your baby with a lot of nutrition as well as advantages that help in keeping your little one healthy throughout his growth.

1. Alleviates Skin Issues

The sensitive skin of your baby can easily react to various attacks on it, ranging from an insect bite to a small burn. These usually end up in leaving a tiny area of an eruption that can get quite irritating. The quality of cucumber to help soothe your skin is well-known among women. Cutting a slice of a cucumber and placing it on the irritated area can provide relief from the pain and lessen the swelling to a certain degree as well.

2. Provides Relief From Pain

Taking medicinal painkillers may not always be possible for a baby given its immaturity of growth as of yet. It has been observed that cucumber can also show certain tendencies which are reminiscent of the action shown by such painkillers. This is primarily due to the presence of flavonoids that are present in it. These are known to have analgesic properties that can help in relieving pain in certain situations.

3. Provides Relief From Stomach Problems

Cucumber also provides relief from stomach problems. Be it acidity, ulcers or any kind of gastric problems, the natural remedy to go for is consuming cucumber. Drinking cucumber juice that has been prepared by steaming it, crushing the pieces and squeezing out the pulp is the best way to give a baby. Cucumber water is known to provide similar benefits, too.

4. Good for Hydration

Sometimes, babies refuse to drink water or tend to eat items that do not have good water content. This is more frequent in summers when the appetite takes a hit. Cucumbers prove a saviour in this regard since they contain nearly 95 per cent water in their constitution. Giving your little one cucumber to chew on can take care of the thirst as well as replenish the necessary salts and minerals in the body, lost due to dehydration.

5. Offer a Multitude of Vitamins

We bet you will give up before you can even count the number of vitamins present in cucumber. It has nearly everything, everything that is needed to support the growth of the child, right from physical, to neurological, to eyesight development, blood circulation, iron synthesis, bone health, and so on.

Precautions to Take While Giving Cucumber to Your Baby

Before you ask how to make baby food with cucumber for your child, there are certain precautions you need to keep in mind.

• Mix and match the cucumber with other vegetables. You can blend them to make a puree and make it palatable for the little one.
• Check for allergies when you give cucumber the first time. Give a small amount and maintain a gap of a few days to notice any untoward reactions. Follow up if everything is safe.
• Avoid giving raw cucumber since it might contain microbes inside. Always prepare by boiling and steaming it thoroughly to make puree easily and kill any bacteria inside.
• Remove the skin of the cucumber before preparing it for feeding. A baby’s stomach may not be able to digest it right away.
• Purchase cucumbers that are healthy and free of any blemishes. Take a bite to ensure they are not bitter.

Cucumber Baby Food Recipes

Here are a few easy to make cucumber recipes that you can give to your baby.

1. Cucumber Puree

Here’s a recipe of cucumber puree for a baby with the benefit of other veggies.

What You Will Need 

• Cucumber – 1/2
• Basil leaves – 2-3
• Sour cream – 1 cup
• Cheese salt or non-iodized salt – 1/2 tsp
  

How To Make 

• Peel and cut the cucumber in strips and remove the seeds. Mash together and with all other ingredients until the consistency is good. Add salt and serve!

2. Minty Cucumber With Curd

A nice recipe complemented with the right fruit for some added flavour.

What You Will Need 

• Cucumber – 1/2
• Mint leaves – 2-3
• Curd – 1 cup
• Pear – 1/2

How To Make 

• Peel and cut the cucumber and remove the seeds. Chop it then squish it down.
• Peel the pear, remove the core, and dice. Take one half and squish it.
• Add mint leaves and curd in a bowl and mix it well.
• Blend it further to make a puree if needed.

Cucumber is very tasty and can be introduced to little ones but if you are planning to add it your baby’s diet, do check with a paediatrician before doing so. If you get a go-ahead from your doctor, keep a lookout for allergic reaction and prepare baby food with cucumber in a healthy way for your little one to enjoy.

Also Read:

Spinach for Infants – Health Benefits & Recipes
Health Benefits of Tomatoes for Babies
When & How to Introduce Carrot to Babies
Cauliflower for Babies – When & How to Give