Benefits of Bone Broth Soup For Babies| 6 Months+

What is bone broth soup for babies?

Bone broth soup for babies is a flavorful and nutrient-rich liquid made by simmering bones (such as chicken, beef, or fish bones).

Paired with vegetables, herbs, and spices in water for an extended period of time, often ranging from several hours to a day or more.

This slow cooking process allows the bones to release valuable nutrients, including collagen, gelatin, minerals (such as calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus), amino acids, and other essential nutrients into the broth.

Bone broth soup can be enjoyed on its own or used as a base for other soups, stews, sauces, and recipes. It is known for its potential health benefits, including supporting gut health, joint health, and immune function.

When and why you should introduce bone soup to your baby

Bone broth is a great starter meal for a 6 months old baby. It is a stage 1 baby food. Bone marrow soup for babies, provide the essential vitamins, minerals, and amino acids necessary for optimal growth, cognitive development, and immune function.

Introducing nutrient-rich baby foods early on sets a solid foundation for lifelong health and wellness.

Nutritional Benefits of bone broth soup for babies

Collagen and Gelatin: Bone broth is abundant in collagen and gelatin, which are crucial for supporting healthy bone and joint development in infants. Collagen helps strengthen bones, while gelatin supports connective tissues, such as cartilage and tendons, aiding in overall musculoskeletal health.

Minerals: Bone broth is rich in essential minerals like calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus, which are vital for bone formation, nerve function, and overall growth and development in babies.

Amino Acids: Bone broth contains various amino acids, including glycine, proline, and glutamine, which play essential roles in protein synthesis, immune function, and digestive health in infants.

Importance of Collagen, Gelatin, and Minerals for Infant Development

During the early stages of life, infants undergo rapid growth and development, requiring adequate nutrients to support their developing bones, muscles, and organs.

Collagen and gelatin are crucial components of connective tissues, supporting healthy bone structure and joint function.

Additionally, minerals like calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus are essential for bone mineralization and skeletal growth in babies.

Does bone broth soup cause allergies?

Any food can be an allergen to a baby. Always introduce one food at a time, as you observe for allergic reactions such as such as rash, hives, or digestive upset. If there's a family history of food allergies, consult with a pediatrician.

How bone broth soup supports baby’s digestion, immunity and bones

Pediatric nutrition experts, including Dr. Elisa Song and Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride, advocate for the inclusion of bone broth in infants' diets due to its nutrient density and potential health benefits for digestion, immunity, and bone development.

Digestive Health

The gelatin and amino acids in bone broth help soothe and heal the gut lining, reducing inflammation and promoting healthy digestion in infants. This can be particularly beneficial for babies with gastrointestinal issues, such as colic or reflux.

Immune Function

The amino acids, minerals, and gelatin in bone broth support a healthy immune system in infants by providing nutrients necessary for immune cell function and promoting the production of anti-inflammatory compounds. This helps protect babies from infections and illnesses during their vulnerable early stages of life.

Bone Development

The collagen, minerals, and amino acids in bone broth contribute to healthy bone development and strength in infants.

Collagen provides the framework for bone mineralization, while minerals like calcium and phosphorus are essential for bone growth and density, helping to prevent conditions like rickets or osteoporosis later in life.

A study published in the journal "Nutrition Research" found that bone broth contains bioactive compounds such as collagen peptides, which have been shown to support bone health and joint function in infants and young children.

Research published in the "Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry" highlights the presence of minerals like calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus in bone broth and their role in supporting infant growth and development, including bone mineralization and muscle function.

How to feed baby bone broth

Add a little amount of bone soup to your baby's puree. Such as vegetable and fruits

Use it as a cooling liquid for cereals and other baby food

Can also be used as a dips for finger foods esp for baby led weaning.

How to make bone soup for babies

All you need is high quality BONES. Could be beef, mutton, fish or chicken.

Ingredients

• Bones( chicken, beef or fish)
• Add ins: celery, garlic, apple cider vinegar, onion, carrots, salt and pepper.
• Optional: parsley or thyme

Instructions

If you’re using raw bones, preheat your oven to 200°C. Place your bones on a baking sheet and bake for 40 minutes until brown. If you're using cooked bones skip this step.

In a large stockpot or slow cooker add chopped onions, carrot, garlic, and celery. Add the roasted or cooked bones in the pot. Add water to cover the bones and vegetables. Add apple cider vinegar which helps extract nutrients from the bones.

Boil the ingredients under a high heat. Once boiled, lower the heat and let the broth simmer. For atleat 12 hours. Can extend duration to 24hours.

After 12 hours, strain to separate bones and vegetables from the broth. Let it coll before serving it to your baby or storing.

Recipe variations

To make it vegetarian, substitute none broth with vegetable broth.

For a protein boost, ad in shredded turkey or chicken. You can also add rice, quinoa or pasta for a heavier meal.

Storage

Once cooled, put it in an airtight container and refrigerate for 3 days. Freeze for longer storage.

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