I’ve already written about the incredible benefits of consuming traditional bone broth during pregnancy, but this nutrient-dense liquid is also amazing for babies!
Unlike store-bought broth or stock, which is cooked for only 45 minutes to 4 hours, bone broth is simmered for quite a long time. As the broth simmers, nutrients leach from the bones, leaving you with a wonderfully nourishing and flavorful liquid.
Helps broaden your baby’s palate
Breast milk (and formula) are quite sweet, so offering this nutrient-dense savory beverage helps to diversify your baby’s palate.
Strengthens growing bones and teeth
Bone broth is rich in an easily digested and assimilated form of calcium and magnesium, which are essential for your baby to build strong, healthy bones and teeth.
Helps build connective tissue and joints
Bone broth contains glucosamine and chondroitin, which are among the most important nutrients for joint care and can support the development of your baby’s joints.
Bone broth is also a great source of gelatin and collagen, which are key in building and supporting connective tissue. These nutrients also aid in building cartilage and bone. If your broth gels when cooled, the gelatin content is why that’s happening. Just lightly reheat before serving.
Reduces the risk of food sensitivities
Another wonderful benefit of collagen is its ability to strengthen the intestinal lining, which greatly reduces the risk of food sensitivities.
Supports immunity and digestion
The specific amino acids in bone broth perform a wide variety of functions, including boosting the immune system and improving digestion.
When and how much?
Bone broth can be given in small amounts as soon as your baby has been introduced to solids.
As with all liquids, the goal isn’t to replace breast milk with broth in young babies — so offer broth as an addition to breast milk and solid foods, making sure that broth isn’t filling your baby up too much.
As your baby begins to consume more solid foods, the amount of breast milk they consume will naturally decrease. At this time, they can be given more broth — but again, as with all liquids, still watch that it is offered in addition to solids and not replacing them.
