Author Topic: Is spinach hard on a baby's tummy? (Read 9723 times)

Sam-n-Max's Mommy · « **on:** June 30, 2011, 02:50:21 am »

Hi everyone,

DS is 15 months old and I had a quick question. I made him a spinach pancake last week and he loved it (ate it at lunch time). That night he had a long NW around 11:30pm. He is also teething badly so I figured it was that. Also, the following day, there were lots of pieces of undigested spinach in his diaper. I gave him one at breakfast today and he is currently in the middle of a NW which started around 9:45pm. He's been crying a little bit (not screaming) on and off, but is having a really hard time getting back to sleep. Doesn't seem like he is in pain necessarily, but something is keeping him from sleeping so maybe he is uncomfortable... or maybe it's just coincidental.

Could the spinach not be agreeing with him? Not sure if it would take over 12 hours for food to cause stomach discomfort?

TIA!

ZacsMumme · « **Reply #1 on:** June 30, 2011, 03:01:51 am »

Interesting you should talk about spinach...I always thought it would be a stage 1 or 2 food, but on checking with my plunket food chart it is actually stage 3, which is usually 9-12 months. This to me suggests it is either difficult to digest of has something in it that prevents it from being recommended for younger babies. There are not many foods that are recommended for stage three...and certainly most veges are okay from 6-7 months onwards!

While I have no idea if it would cause upsets, and I understand your LO is older than 9 months...but maybe it is one of those iffy foods :\

*Kara* · « **Reply #2 on:** June 30, 2011, 04:12:47 am »

Spinach can cause some toots

Sam-n-Max's Mommy · « **Reply #3 on:** June 30, 2011, 11:25:34 am »

Thanks, ladies! I think we will hold off until sometime again next week and if he wakes again then I'll know! This is so unfortunate because I have a picky eater who is slowly opening up to new things and the spinach pancake was a major victory LOL!!!!

deb · « **Reply #4 on:** June 30, 2011, 11:34:05 am »

You might try a smaller quantity and make sure it's really well-pureed. Also, spinach and most crucifers should be cooked at least lightly rather than eaten raw, apparently - I didn't know this when mine were smaller, but it makes them easier to digest.

Spinach is also high in oxalates, which can cause other issues in too high a quantity.

ZacsMumme · « **Reply #5 on:** June 30, 2011, 18:50:34 pm »

What about something similar to spinach in a pancake? - Grated courgette? Or does silverbeat have the same problems as spinach?

Are they even different lol

deb · « **Reply #6 on:** June 30, 2011, 19:31:48 pm »

What's silverbeat?

firsttimemummy · « **Reply #7 on:** June 30, 2011, 19:41:54 pm »

Quote from: ZacsMumme on June 30, 2011, 03:01:51 am

plunket food chart

what is this? sounds useful....

ZacsMumme · « **Reply #8 on:** June 30, 2011, 20:30:59 pm »

Deb - Ummm a green vegetable kind of like spinach.... cant really describe it ... and I hate it lol.
Lucy - The Royal NZ Plunket Society is the well child health services in NZ available to all babies/children free.
I cant find the food chart online, but Spinach is stage 3 so ~8 months onwards. (Stage 1 is 4-6 months, Stage 2 is 7-8months)
http://www.plunket.org.nz/your-child/6-months-to-1-year/food-and-nutrition/

I suspect the guide are different in each country, but this is what they advise here

Ill see if I can scan it online as its a pretty cool reseource and sits on my fridge!

firsttimemummy · « **Reply #9 on:** June 30, 2011, 20:48:09 pm »

Quote from: ZacsMumme on June 30, 2011, 20:30:59 pm

Ill see if I can scan it online as its a pretty cool reseource and sits on my fridge!

that would be fantastic if you get the chance

*Kara* · « **Reply #10 on:** June 30, 2011, 22:48:30 pm »

Quote from: ZacsMumme on June 30, 2011, 12:30:59 pm

I suspect the guide are different in each country, but this is what they advise here Smiley Ill see if I can scan it online as its a pretty cool reseource and sits on my fridge!

Very funny! They say to start solids no later than 6 months... it's recommended here to wait until 6 months LOL! That said, we started at 5 months

*Kara* · « **Reply #11 on:** June 30, 2011, 22:50:27 pm »

Silverbeet is swiss chard

Sam-n-Max's Mommy · « **Reply #12 on:** June 30, 2011, 23:40:02 pm »

Thanks, everyone.

Great ideas on alternatives for the pancakes, Sara. Thanks, I am going to try them!

Deb - I pureed the spinach, but not really well - it looked more like it was chopped very small. Maybe I'll try again with it smoothly pureed and a smaller quantity in each pancake. The pancake he ate was pretty large, so I wonder if that was the problem.

ZacsMumme · « **Reply #13 on:** June 30, 2011, 23:40:45 pm »

Quote from: *Kara* on June 30, 2011, 22:48:30 pm

Very funny! They say to start solids no later than 6 months... it's recommended here to wait until 6 months LOL! That said, we started at 5 months

I know!...every country is diff I think. In saying that though they also recommend that you wait till ~6 months, but then start no later than ~6 months because of iron stores depleting or something like that

deb · « **Reply #14 on:** July 01, 2011, 00:52:41 am »

OK, then Swiss Chard is indeed like spinach and should be cooked instead of eaten raw.

Mom to M&M · « **Reply #15 on:** July 01, 2011, 01:36:40 am »

Nicole - we do OK with spinach but we get a reaction like you're describing from chickpeas (which is too bad cause I make really yummy roasted ones that my picky DS loves). HOURS later (and it can be many hours) he'll have NWs, gas pains and the next day many loose stools...

In your case I'd hold off completely for a couple weeks then try again with a smaller quantity of spinach chopped even finer? In the meantime maybe go with grated zucchini (peel on for more nutrition)?

firsttimemummy · « **Reply #16 on:** July 01, 2011, 07:06:38 am »

Quote from: Mom to M&M on July 01, 2011, 01:36:40 am

chickpeas (which is too bad cause I make really yummy roasted ones that my picky DS loves)

how do you make them? (sorry I keep hijacking this thread!!!)

Mom to M&M · « **Reply #17 on:** July 01, 2011, 11:03:57 am »

So easy and yummy. I just drain a can of garbanzo beans and rinse them well. Then dry them between paper towels to loosen the skins. Then remove all the skins (this part is time consuming and not necessary but my kids like the texture better this way). Then toss in a bowl with 1 tbsp olive oil, a pinch of salt and 1/2 tsp cinnamon. Put in a shallow pan or baking dish and bake at 400 for 40 minutes. Remove from oven, mix in 1 heaping tbsp honey and roast for another 7 minutes. Stir again, let cool and enjoy!

Sam-n-Max's Mommy · « **Reply #18 on:** July 01, 2011, 11:20:28 am »

Thanks, Karen. We are going away for a long weekend, so when I get back I am going to try using some zucchini. I'll bet he'll like that. I didn't know you could leave the peel on for more nutrients- that is great to know!!

It is too bad about the chickpeas and your DS - they are soooooo good!

Lucy - definitely make the chickpeas - they are yummy!

Mom to M&M · « **Reply #19 on:** July 01, 2011, 11:33:40 am »

Yes definitely leave the peel on. Scrub well (organic zucchini if you can afford it since you aren't peeling) and then grate. Then put the grated zucchini between paper towels and squeeze out the excess moisture.

Yea I'm bummed about the chickpeas. I'll try again in a couple weeks though.

firsttimemummy · « **Reply #20 on:** July 01, 2011, 14:54:24 pm »

Thanks for the recipe - there is a tin of chick peas in the cupboard that need used before we move house so will try it tomorrow

)

I found that the skin on the courgette/zuccini used to give Murray bad wind!!

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Author Topic: Is spinach hard on a baby's tummy? (Read 9723 times)