If you are switching your little one over to solids, you may be interested in corn for baby-led weaning (otherwise known as “BLW”). But is BLW corn a good idea? Or is corn actually choking hazard? Turns out, its a mixture of both! Corn can be a choking hazard for little ones, but there are also ways that you can prepare corn to make it much less dangerous. Interested in learning more? We thought so! Stay tuned as we give you all the information you need about how to feed your child corn for baby led weaning. Let’s go!
Can Babies Have Corn BLW?
Babies can have corn as early as 6 months, but you will need to be mindful of how you prepare it.
As with most foods used for baby-led weaning, how you prepare it is vital. Improper preparation can increase the risks of choking.
When it comes to young babies that are attempting to eat corn, you’ll want to be sure to cut it and cook it properly. Cutting it the right way will ensure that your baby can hold the corn firmly. It can also decrease the risk of any kernels getting stuck in the throat.
How you cook it, on the other hand, is important. Differences in preparation will affect the nutritional content of the corn.
How Do You Cook Corn on the Cob For Baby?
BLW Corn on the Cob
As you already probably know, corn on the cob can be cooked in several ways.
Typically, corn on the cob is either boiled or grilled. However, it can also be steamed or microwaved.
For the purposes of baby-led weaning, we recommend that you always steam your baby’s vegetables whenever possible. The steaming process keeps most nutrients intact, while processes like boiling cause nutrients from the corn to escape into the water it is boiled in.
Of course, if you plan to prepare corn on the cob for your friends and family, it is okay to serve your baby corn whichever way you normally prepare it. However, if the corn you are preparing is just for your baby, you may consider steaming the corn over water to keep the corn’s nutrients intact.
To steam corn on the cob for your baby, follow these steps:
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Remove the husk from the corn including any loose strings.
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Prepare a pot of boiling water.
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Cut your corn on the cob into smaller chunks (about 3 to 4 mini-sized pieces) to make them easier for your baby to handle.
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Use a steamer to place your corn over the boiling hot water.
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Steam for 4-6 minutes or until fully cooked through.
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Rinse corn under cold water to cool the corn a bit before serving.
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Serve!
Note: Do your best not to add additional salt to the corn that your baby is eating. Too much salt can do damage to your baby’s kidneys. Your baby likely won’t notice too much of a difference anyway.
Is Corn a Good Finger Food For Baby?
What Age Can Babies Eat Corn Kernels?
Now that you know how to prepare corn on the cob for your baby, you may be wondering about corn kernels. Are they safe for little ones to consume as finger food?
The answer to this question varies.
While corn kernels are the perfect little addition to your baby’s diet, you will want to wait until your baby is about a year old before you start offering small corn kernels. This is because corn kernels can easily get caught in your baby’s throat and become a choking hazard. Moreover, your baby may not have the fine motor skills needed to pick up small corn kernels on their own. Add to that the fact that babies don’t typically learn how to scoop with a spoon until they are between 18-24 months and you’ve got plenty of reason to wait to serve corn kernels until your baby is a bit older!
When your baby is ready to consume corn kernels, there are several ways you can go about it.
You can try streaming the corn as we’ve previously mentioned. Do so by cutting the kernels off of the stalk to be eaten by your baby using a spoon or their fingers. You can also purchase corn kernels precut in the form of canned corn or in the form of frozen corn. From there, you should follow the instructions on the package or can for how to prepare the corn for your baby or toddler.
How Do You Cook Baby Corn BLW?
Yet another option for serving your baby corn for baby-led weaning is to serve baby corn.
Baby corn is found often in Asian cuisine. Just as the name implies, baby corn is corn that is harvested before reaching its full maturity. The result is a soft but crunchy delicious corn that can be eaten in its entirety without having to worry about the hard “cob” in the middle.
To prepare baby corn, all you have to do is follow the package directions. If your baby corn is fresh, steam the corn for about 5-6 minutes over boiling water, similar to what you would do for steaming corn on the cob. Once your baby corn is fully cooked, run it through cold water before serving it to your little one.
Warning: Some pieces of baby corn may pose a choking hazard to your little one due to their size. To help lessen the risk, serve baby corn once your baby is at least 12 months old. Or cut the baby corn into smaller pieces to make it easier to eat.
Can Babies Eat Corn For BLW? Absolutely!
Whole corn kernels may not be the best pick for babies under the age of 1. Corn on the cob can be a fun and easy to make a snack for babies that are weaning. Just be sure to steam the corn whenever you can to preserve freshness.
Watch your child closely always. Ensure your baby stays safe while they are learning to explore and enjoy new foods.
We hope this helps! Happy feeding!
Here are more tips for feeding your baby:
- Mixing Formula With Breast Milk
- Baby Led Weaning Cheese
- Can Babies Have Maple Syrup
- When Can Babies Have Baby Rice
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