Prunes are a sweet and healthy treat for children and adults. Besides, they are very good for babies. 

Prunes contain a lot of fiber and will help constipation in babies or adults. In fact, prunes are one of the best foods to help your baby poop regularly. You can give your baby prunes, or prune juice and both will work like a charm.

In this article, we talk about introducing prunes to your baby’s diet and we give you 5 delicious recipes for homemade baby food. 

The recipes in this article:

Recipe 1 – Prune juice
Recipe 2 – Prunes, Pears, and cloves
Recipe 3 – Fruity oatmeal porridge
Recipe 4 – Pork Meatballs with prunes
Recipe 5 – Prunes, Banana, and Strawberries

You might also be interested in our recipes with peaches, pears or blueberries.

When can a baby eat prunes?

Prunes usually don’t cause allergies, and you can introduce them safely to your baby at 6 months of age.

However, there are some limitations when serving prunes to your baby.

  • Too many prunes can cause gas and intestinal cramps, skip the prunes if your baby suffers from diarrhea at the moment.

  • Prune juice is milder to the stomach than prune puree, which contains more fiber, (make sure you get prune juice without added sugar or corn syrup).

  • Prunes are very sweet and caloric, so keep them in moderation to prevent early tooth decay in toddlers.

Nevertheless, prunes are very healthy and a good cure for stomach pain linked to constipation. We present you with 3 healthy, simple, and tasty recipes, including prunes.

Recipe 1: Prune juice (4-6 months+)

How to make prune juice for your baby? It’s easy! 

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup dried prunes
  • 5 cups of boiled water
  • 1 cup of pear juice, apple juice, or orange juice (optional)

Instructions:

Step 1 – If there are still pits in the prunes, remove them.

Step 2 – Add some boiled water to the cup of prunes and let them soak for 12-24 hours.

Step 3 – Blend the prunes and the water into a smooth puree.

Step 4 – Add the 5 cups of water and 1 cup of pear, apple or orange juice to sweeten. Blend the ingredients into a juice.

You can store the juice in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Recipe 2: Prunes and pears (age 4-6 months+)

A tasty and healthy prune recipe. 

Ingredients:

  • 2 cored pears, chopped to pieces
  • 4-5 dry prunes without pits (check if there are no pieces of pit remaining inside the prunes)
  • A cup of hot water
  • A pinch of clove powder (or cinnamon)

Instructions:

Step 1 – Fill a medium-size pan halfway with water, and bring it to a boil.

Step 2 – Use a strainer or a steamer basket to steam the pears for 10 minutes, and let them cool off for a while.

Step 3 – In the meantime, you can put the prunes in a cup of hot water and let them soak for 10 minutes. Drain after this time.

Step 4 – Now you will need a blender or a food processor. Mix prunes, pears, and a pinch of ground cloves, adding some water if needed, to blend smoothly.

You can store it in the refrigerator for 3 days or freeze it up to 4 months. Delicious and healthy prune and pear puree, that will help with constipation and your baby will love the flavors.

Recipe 3: Fruity oatmeal porridge (age 6 months+)

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup oatmeal powder (you can grind the oatmeal in a blender)
  • 1 fresh pear
  • 2-3 chopped prunes
  • 2 dry chopped apricots
  • 3 cups of water
  • A pinch of vanilla extract
  • A pinch of ginger powder or fresh ginger.

Instructions:

Step 1 – Pour 3 cups of water into a medium pot and bring it to a boil.

Step 2 – Add your oatmeal powder, chopped apricots, and prunes.

Step 3 – Lower the heat and let it simmer for 25 minutes, occasionally stirring.

Step 4 – While the porridge is cooking, chop your pear into smaller pieces and add it to the porridge, cook for another 5 minutes.

Step 5 – When the porridge is cooked, add some vanilla extract and a pinch of ginger, stir thoroughly.

You can store it in the fridge for up to 4 days or keep it frozen for up to 3 months.

Recipe 4: Pork meatballs with prunes (age 6-8 months+)

Your baby can eat pork with prunes at 6-8 months of age. Depending on the foods that you already introduced to the baby. Some pediatricians recommend 6 months, some recommend 8 months.

Ingredients:

  • Some fresh minced pork
  • Few spoons of breadcrumbs
  • 3-4 prunes
  • Tomato sauce (precooked or homemade)
  • Tomatoes
  • Olive oil
  • A pinch of salt
  • A pinch of brown sugar
  • Dry oregano

Instructions:

Step 1 – Making your own tomato sauce for this recipe is simple.

Step 2 – Fry one-third to half of an onion with olive oil, and add some freshly sliced or canned tomatoes.

Step 3 – Add a pinch of sweet paprika and a pinch of brown sugar. Slowly cook for 15 minutes. You can also buy premade tomato sauce.

Step 4 – Now for the meatballs, mix the minced pork, (add a pinch of salt) with chopped prunes and few spoons of breadcrumbs, forming balls from the mixture.

Step 5 – Cook the meatballs in tomato sauce for 25 minutes, adding some dry oregano. Cool off a little and the prune meatballs are ready to eat!

Whether you are introducing prunes to your baby’s diet to treat constipation or just to offer something healthy and tasty, these recipes are the way to go.

tasty easy homemade baby food

Recipe 5: Prunes, banana, and strawberries

An easy-to-try recipe your baby will absolutely love! 

Ingredients:

  • 4-5 dry prunes
  • 1 cup of strawberries
  • ½ a banana
  • A pinch of cinnamon

Instructions:

Step 1 – Put the prunes in a cup of hot water and let them soak for 10 minutes.

Step 2 – Wash the strawberries and remove the stems.

Step 3 – Peel the banana and chop it up.

Step 4 – Add all the ingredients to a blender, or use a hand mixer. If you want, you can add some breast milk or formula to give the puree a thinner consistency.

Step 5 – You can now pour the mixture into an ice cube form to store them in a refrigerator for 3 days, or in a freezer for up to 4 months!

Feeding guide for prunes

 

4 months

6 months

7-8 months

9-10 months

11-12 months

No. of tbs per portion

1-2

1-2

2-3

2-4

2-4

No. of feedings

per day

1-2

1-2

2

2

2

Please keep in mind that this guide applies to prunes. If you add other ingredients to your meal, like meats, this guide might not be applicable.

Too many prunes can cause gas and intestinal cramps, skip the prunes if your baby suffers from diarrhea at the moment.

Are these baby food recipes freezable?

You should store your batch of aubergine baby meal in a refrigerator using an airtight container for up to a period of 72 hours.

You can freeze this baby food into different portions by employing pouring the mixture into ice cubes or in small food storage containers.

Which kitchen tools to use

In order to prepare these baby food recipes, you will need the following kitchen tools:

  • Blender or food processor

  • Knife

  • Tablespoon

  • Vegetable peeler

  • Cutting board

  • Saucepan

  • Steamer pan

  • Food storage containers or an ice cube form

Nutritional benefits

Prunes are a good source of energy, and they don’t cause a rapid hike in blood sugar levels. Prunes are also high in potassium and vitamins.

Here are some health benefits for prunes:

  1. Helps digestion

  2. Builds bones and muscles

  3. Reduces cholesterol levels

  4. Lowers blood pressure

Conclusion

Prunes are a good food to start giving your baby from 6 months on. Don’t give too many prunes and be careful to give your baby prunes when he or she is suffering from diarrhea.