Oil in homemade baby food?

[Wayne's World]

I have been making all of my baby's food at home rather than store bought prepared foods.  My husband recently read an article (in German) about using oil when making veggies because it is essential in vitamin absorption and for brain development.  I had never heard this before, so I wonder if anyone else has heard this? I assumed that breastmilk is supplying these vitamins and nutrients and perhaps the oil is something needed more when you are not breastfeeding anymore???

[Tansy]

I havent heard this before where babies are concerned. I think you are right that babies get all the right amount of nutrients in bm. However in saying that, tiny amounts of olive oil is good for you. I also make all my own food for ds and usually only add oil where necessary (like when frying mince up for a sauce). I guess it is up to you whether you add it to lo's diet, just as long as it is very small amounts. Oil can be quite rich for their little bellies and may cause an upset tummy... HTH

[Mashi]

I fry all of DS's meats in oil, mainly because he is mil/soy intolerant and so doesn't get any extra fats from cheese, yogurt, etc and babies do need lots of fats.  At the same time, though, I wouldn't go pouring oil into a puree or anything.

[Wayne's World]

Good to know about the oils maybe being too rich for the tummy.  My DS has always had tummy trouble and gets gassy on things most other babies do not.  I have been introducing foods slower to him due to this (one week in between new foods as opposed to 3 days).  At this point he is still on fruits and veggies, and some veggies have already caused him some discomfort (especially avacados!).  Maybe if it is used it's better with meats???

[Scate]

There are certain vitamins (I think Vit A is one) which are absorbed better by the body if cooked in a fat. My mother used to cook carrots in butter for this reason. I don't think it's necessary to cook all your veggies in oil though!

[Mashi]

Yes I've also always understood that tomatoes are the same - so if you cook them, for instance, a drop of olive oil helps the vitamins be absorbed better.

[Wayne's World]

Do you all know what veggies are better to be cooked in oil??  Right now he gets sweet potatoes, carrots, squash and parsnips.  I assume you don't have to cook fruit in oil?? 

[MLK]

The yellow- orange veggies are better eaten with some butter or oil - helps to convert the beta carotene to vitamin A

[fifibobandmore]

Th eoil they are talking about is omega 3 oil which is found in oily fish. I only fry my kids food in the fats which are in the food's naturally as they digest better and easier especially on sentive stomach that some LO's have.

[deb a]

They recommend it here in Denmark - 1 teaspoon of fat (eg butter, oil) to every portion of homemade vegetable baby food. It is supposed to boost it so there's energy enough. (shrugs here - I can't say I really understand why but I do it as I guess they know the science better than I do).
ps you are not supposed to add it to vegetables mixed already with breastmilk or formula.
And you are not to add it to bought babyfood.

[tassie]

I've been told it is good as well.  I add a little flax seed oil to my vege purees - it's high in essential fatty acids and omega 3 and helps little and big bodies convert the goodness and use it effectively.  Like deb has said though, you can't add it to breastmilk or formula because it separates.