Amazing Health Benefits Of Ghee For Babies

How Much Ghee Can You Give Your Baby?

Opinion is divided about the use of ghee for babies. But ghee is always a good option for babies as it supplies the essential nutrients and fats.

To ghee or not to ghee, that is the question.
Opinion is divided about the use of ghee for babies. But ghee is
always a good option for babies as it supplies the essential nutrients
and fats.

What is Ghee?

Desi cow ghee is clarified butter, created by heating unsalted butter till it is broken up into separate components like lactose, fat (ghee) and milk proteins. Ghee is a pure combination of fats minus milk solids and water content.

Why should ghee be in your baby’s diet?

• A growing baby requires almost 1400 calories every day and ghee is one of the easiest ways to boost this calorie intake.
• Ghee is easily digestible, aids bowel movement and prevents constipation in babies.
• When you are introducing new foods to baby, ghee is a wonderful add-on.

How Much Ghee Can You Give Your Baby?

Although ghee is beneficial for your baby’s growth and development, it is advisable to consume a limited amount of ghee per day. Excess ghee can cause digestive problems, loss of appetite, and being overweight. The table below indicates the amount of ghee and the number of servings appropriate for your baby’s age.

Age of Baby       Quantity of Ghee           No. of Servings per 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 make Easy Homemade Ghee for Babies

Making your own ghee at home is surprisingly easy, and it’s safer and healthier for babies and adults alike. You get all its benefits without the preservatives. Once you enjoy the taste of homemade ghee, you’ll never buy it from the stores!

Ingredients

Butter – Homemade or Store bought

Drumstick leaves or Curry leaves

A pinch of rock salt

Method

1. 1. Take the butter from the refrigerator and wait for 15-20 minutes
2. for it to reach room temperature. Then, cut it into small cubes.
3. 2. Heat a kadai. Melt the butter cubes completely on a low-medium
4. flame.
5. 3. Soon, the butter will start boiling and will froth and rise. Turn the
6. heat to low and let the butter continue simmering. The color will
7. change to a dull brown.
8. 4. Add the salt along with the curry leaves or drumstick leaves. Turn
9. off the gas. To check if the ghee is ready, add a few drops of water,
10. which should splutter in the ghee.
11. 5. Pour the ghee into a jar, avoiding the residue at the bottom. You
12. can also use a muslin cloth to strain the ghee as you pour it into jars.
13. You will see that the ghee is dark brown. As it sets, it will turn yellow
14. by the next day.
15.  

Health benefits of Ghee for babies

• Easy to digest – Ghee is easily digestible having a short-chain fatty acid called butyric acid that helps reduce inflammation and improve digestion. Ghee also stimulates stomach acid secretion, which helps in digesting food better.

• Lactose friendly – Ghee is edible for kids who are lactose tolerant as well as pure cow ghee is free from milk solids.

• Enhances development – Ghee has Omega-3 Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which stimulate early brain development in children.

• Rich in Vitamins – Ghee is a rich in fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E and K, promoting healthy bones, brain development and baby’s immune system.

• Higher Smoke Point – Ghee, being a natural food product has a higher smoke point than the rest of the cooking oils. Hence, it doesn’t break down into harmful free radicals that can cause potential health problems for your baby.

• Helps Weight Gain – Post the breast milk stage, ghee can enable weight gain for babies being high in healthy fats and calories.

• Helps Strengthen Bones – Vitamin D and K present in ghee enable calcium production in the body, which leads to strong bones.

• Immunity Booster – Ghee’s anti-microbial and antioxidant properties help to build and improve immunity.

• Has Essential Vitamins and Minerals- Ghee contains many vitamins and DHA which are extremely beneficial for the eyes, skin, and immunity.

• Can Treat Eczema- Ghee is used to treat eczema and itchy skin in babies. Just sub some ghee on the affected area to keep it moisturised. The ghee reduces inflammation and acts as an anti-microbial agent, preventing infection and eczema from spreading further.

• Regulates Thyroid Function- Ghee has iodine, which is necessary for the proper functioning of the thyroid gland.

Precautions to take while giving Ghee to Babies

• Homemade ghee is always preferable. If it’s not feasible for you to prepare ghee at home, opt for organic ghee.
• Feed ghee in moderate amounts. Ghee should be a part of your baby’s balanced diet.
• Stop feeding ghee if your baby displays any sighs of intolerance.
• Avoid ghee if your baby is suffering from cough and cold or from jaundice, hepatitis or any other liver disorder.
• If your baby is having regular digestion problems, stop giving ghee and observe for a few days.

Do you have something to share about ghee for babies? Let us know in the comment section below.

Some frequently asked questions have been answered below for you!

You ask and we answer!

Q.1 Is it okay to give ghee to babies? (Trishna Banerjee, Kolkata.)

Ghee has numerous proven health benefits, so you should give ghee to children as soon as they begin eating solid foods.

Q2. Does Ghee cause cough in babies? (Priya Sethi, Bangalore.)

Ghee is made from cow's milk and treats ailments like cough and cold. But cold ghee should not be given to babies.

Q3. Does Ghee cause gas in babies? (Niharika Bhasin, Mumbai.)

If you eat certain foods like nuts, coffee, beans, milk products such as cheese, butter, and ghee in your nursing phase, it may get passed on to your baby and make him gassy.

Q4. Does ghee help in pregnancy? (Manisha Surendran, New Delhi.)

Consuming ghee in pregnancy does not have any ill effects. Include ghee in your diet as it is a healthy source of fats.