It was one fine day, but the beautiful day turned confusing and tiresome after my 7-month old daughter started yelling… I was shocked, but then I realized that she was finding it difficult to pass her stools. Initially I was confused but then I understood that since I started her solid food, she was facing the issue. But.. what next? When I called up my mother, she suggested me to give her prune puree… And, yes, the results were amazing!
Prunes, the dried versions of plums, are rich sources of dietary fiber and contains a good dose of vitamin C and vitamin A. And, the fiber helps maintain regularity of the bowels, making it an ideal natural solution for constipation. Prunes are pretty safe and kind of hypoallergenic, in general. You can introduce this fruit puree from once your baby is about 4 to 6 months old or as soon as you are planning to start solids for her.
You do not get prepared prune purees in stores and hence, you have to make it at home. But it is safe to prepare it at home as it is safe and free from chemicals. It is relatively easy also and does not require any special equipments.
But before we move on to find out how you can prepare prune puree, here are few tips that might help you choose the right prunes!
How to select and store Prunes for preparing puree
It is not always essential to buy prunes directly. You can buy plums and dry them before preparing the puree. While it is definitely time consume and tedious, you can remain unconcerned about the chemicals and other harmful substances.
Plums, like most of the other fruits, are pretty delicate in nature. Hence, you need to store them the right way. Plums remain fresh and juicy for about 7 to 8 days you purchase them. The longer they are stored, the softer and more bruised they become. Ensure that you pick the plums that are free from cuts, soft spots, and/or bruises.
Choose plums or prunes that are organic. If you are directly buying the prunes, make sure that they have not been dried using sulfur and free from chemicals and preservatives. It would be ideal to purchase the plums or prunes you would be using for preparing the puree from a natural farmer, which would, perhaps, be the safest choice.
Store the prunes, once you open the packet, in an airtight container, free from moisture, in a cool, dry area. Ensure that the place is also away from direct sunlight. You could also store the prunes in your refrigerator or freezer in heavy duty freezer bags, if you want to use them for a longer period or if the weather is extremely hot.
Refrigerated prunes stay fresh for 6 to 12 months, but if you freeze them, they will stay fresh for nearly 18 months.
You can store unripe plums on the countertop for 2 to 3 days or until they ripen. Once ripe, refrigerate them in an airtight container to last for the next 3 to 4 days. You cannot freeze plums as such.
Preparing Prune Puree For Babies
If you are using plums, you need to dry them initially in a dehydrator or using an oven.
How to dry plums to make prunes?
- Remove the pits of the plums and retain the whole fruit.
- Arrange on a baking tray lined with baking sheet.
- Preheat your oven in convection mode to 200°F.
- Bake for about 8 hours or till the plums reached desired dryness.
- Take out and allow to cool.
- Store the prunes in an airtight container and use as required.
Preparing The Puree From Prunes
Ingredients:
- Dried prunes or plums – 2 cups
- Warm water – as required for soaking
How to:
- Soak the prunes in warm water for about 15 to 30 minutes or until they become slightly plump. You could also steam the prunes for about 5 to 10 minutes to soften them.
- Add the tender and soft prunes to a blender and blend into a fine puree.
- Keep blending till you get a glue-like paste. Add water, if required.
- Add sugar or honey, if you feel that your baby needs a sweeter puree. You could also add any other fruit while preparing the puree.
- Serve the thick paste slightly warm or allow to cool and serve. You could add applesauce to add longevity to the puree.
Some of the fruits you can mix with prune puree include:
- Apple
- Blueberry
- Cranberry
- Peach and
- Melon
You could also try adding chicken, yogurt, rice, or the baby’s favorite cereal while serving the prune puree.
At the end of the day, as a mother, you know what suits your baby the best. So, make a decision accordingly.
Even though there are no adverse reports available regarding the negative impacts of prunes, it is advisable to check with your pediatrician before you introduce any food for the first tome to your baby.
How did you make prune puree recipe for baby? Share your experiences in comments or on the Howtogetrid Facebook Page.