Best Vitamin C Recipes To Ease Common Cold Symptoms In Your Infant
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Vitamin C has many critical roles. It helps in the absorption of iron. It aids the body in wound healing, collagen production, tissue repair, and more. All of these parts culminate in Vitamin C’s most famous role… supporting the immune system, of course!
Vitamin C helps your baby’s immune system do its job. When infants get sick, vitamin C helps boost white blood cell production to fight off infections. It also happens to pack a one-two punch! Uniquely, the nutrient is ALSO an antioxidant. This means vitamin C fights free radicals in the body (unstable molecules that can damage healthy cells), which can alleviate the severity and duration of illnesses.
If your little one is feeling under the weather, incorporating vitamin C rich foods can help ease your baby’s cold symptoms.
Why Vitamin C Matters for Infants Who Have A Cold
Adequate vitamin C is fundamental for overall health. When your baby is exposed to pathogens, the immune system response amps up free radicals in the body, making the essential nutrient even more critical. Vitamin C does not naturally occur in the body, so your baby has to get it from food.
When to Introduce Vitamin C Foods To Your Baby
For the first 6 months, your baby will likely get the recommended 40mg of Vitamin C from either breast milk or formula.
For babies 6 months to a year, the recommended daily amount increases to 50mg. As your baby starts transitioning to solids, it is so important to incorporate nutrient-rich, whole foods. Pureeing foods with naturally high levels of vitamin C – like skinless kiwis or skinless softened bell peppers – can be a great way of ensuring your baby meets their daily dose. In order to help preserve the vitamin C and overall nutritional content of foods, opt for steaming rather than boiling. The foods will be safer to consume and easier on your baby’s digestion, while remaining nutritionally optimal.
Vitamin C-Rich Recipes for Babies 6 Months and Up
Vitamin C is found in a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. When your infant’s immune system is in need of some extra support, consider combining various vitamin C rich foods to enhance available nutrients and help your baby’s cold.
Mango & Spinach Power Purée
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh or frozen mango (diced, peeled, and cored)
- 1 cup fresh or frozen spinach
- 2-3 tablespoons filtered water, breast milk, or formula
Instructions
- Place the mango and spinach in a steamer basket over boiling water
- Steam for approximately 2 - 3 minutes, or until spinach is wilted and the mango is soft
- In a blender, combine the steamed spinach and mango with the liquid of choice
- Purée until smooth, adding more liquid if necessary to reach desired consistency
- Fully cool before serving your baby
- Store extras in an air tight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, or place into freezer molds for later
Sweet Potato Mighty Mash
Ingredients
- 1 large sweet potato, skinned and diced into roughly 1” cubes
- 2 tablespoons light canned coconut milk, breast milk, or formula
Instructions
- Place the diced sweet potato in a steamer basket over boiling water
- Steam for approximately 15 minutes, or until fork tender
- Place the steamed sweet potatoes in a blender or food processor along with liquid of choice
- Blend until smooth, adding more liquid as necessary to reach desired consistency
- Fully cool before serving your baby
- Store extras in an air tight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, or place into freezer molds for later.
Outrageously Optimal Orange Soup
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 white onion, finely chopped
- 4 large carrots, peeled and chopped into 1”-2” cubes
- 1 medium orange sweet potato, peeled and chopped into 1”-2” cubes
- 1 large orange, juiced
- 4 cups unsalted vegetable broth (if store-bought, opt for organic brands that do not use additives)
Instructions
- In a large saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat
- Add the onions. Cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant
- Add in the cubed carrots and sweet potato. Stir and cook for 1-2 minutes
- Pour in the vegetable stock, and bring to a boil.
- Cover with lid and reduce heat to a simmer for approximately 20 minutes, or until the veggies are fork tender
- Remove from heat. Using a high-speed blender, blend till smooth
- Use a fine mesh strainer to eliminate any choking hazards when pouring the soup back into the sauce pan
- Stir in the juiced orange
- Fully cool before serving your baby
- Store extras in an air tight container in the fridge for up to 4 days, or place into freezer molds for later
Vitamin C & Zinc Immune Support
What To Give Your Baby Who Isn’t Eating Much Yet
A cold can affect your baby’s appetite. If you are wondering, “How can I help my baby’s cold,” and suspect your baby may not be getting adequate nutrients from food, an immune-boosting supplement can help temporarily fill the gaps in diet deficiencies. Wellements Organic Vitamin C & Zinc Immune Support contain Vitamins A, C, D, and E, as well as Zinc, in a yummy tasting syrup. The organic liquid supplement is free of allergens, parabens, and artificial ingredients, making it safe for babies as young as two months old. Vitamin C is water soluble, meaning the body should naturally eliminate excess, though it is still very important to be mindful when giving your baby any supplements, and to always consult with your pediatrician, especially if symptoms worsen.
Proper nutrition is always important, but even more so when your baby is sick. Getting creative with vitamin C rich foods is one of the best ways to ensure your baby’s immune system gets the support it needs, helping your little one feel better faster.
