Can My Baby Eat Leeks?

We received a message today from Laura in the UK, asking if it is OK to give leeks to her little boy (age 6 1/2 months) .

We’ve published our reply here, just in case YOU may have a similar question!

“Leeks are a wonderful source of nutrition – high in folates, vitamin C, iron and potassium. The green parts also provide your baby with beta-carotene (fruits and veggies don’t HAVE to be orange in order to contain beta-carotene – some green veggies contain it, too).

Leeks are not highly allergenic (although you should always look for signs of allergic reaction with ANY new food and you should not introduce other new foods at the same time as introducing leeks). However, they MAY lead to wind (or gas) in some babies… and in some grown ups, too!

There are no set guidelines as to the introduction of leeks into the diet (although you should, of course, always check with your doctor before introducing new foods to your baby). Our baby food recipes contained leeks from 6 months of age with no unwelcome side effects – in fact, our little ones loved the delicate ‘onion-y’ taste that leeks brought to their meals.

Some parents, however, choose to wait until a little later in their babies’ first year to introduce leeks and this is to be recommended if your little man is prone to gas (wind).

Leeks may be sauted, then added to other recipes (in much the same way as onions) – or you can try our recipe below to make a tasty leek puree. This recipe was, in fact, a favourite with our babies – but do try adding a little leek to other recipes (to check how your baby reacts to it) before serving leeks in the larger quantity required for THIS recipe.

Leek Puree With Fresh Herbs

1 tbsp butter
2 medium leeks
4oz (1/2 cup) white potato, peeled and cubed
4 fl oz (1/2 cup) homemade chicken or vegetable stock
1 tbsp natural yogurt
1/2 tsp fresh dill
1/2 tsp fresh basil
1/2 tsp fresh chives

Remove the tough, outer leaves from the leeks, cut off the root and trim the other end.
Cut the leeks in half lengthwise and swirl them around in a bowl of cold water to clean them.
Chop the leeks (including the tender green leaves), then saute them in the butter for a few minutes.
Stir in the cubed potatoes.
Add the stock and fresh herbs, then bring to the boil.
Lower the hear and simmer (covered) for around 15 mins, until the potatoes are done).
Drain the mixture (saving the cooking liquid), then puree the vegetables until smooth.
Add back enough of the cooking liquid to create the perfect consistency for your baby, then stir in the natural yogurt.
Serve – either alone, or as a side dish with meat for older babies.

VARIATIONS: Try substituting sweet potato or butternut squash for the white potato for a different – but equally delicious – flavour!

NOTE: Leeks may also be steamed or roasted, but we do not recommend boiling them for baby as – in addition to some nutrient loss – the leeks may become quite waterlogged and tasteless.”

Does YOUR baby enjoy the flavour of leeks – or do you have any leek baby food recipes you’d like to share with other readers? Did YOU introduce leeks to your baby – only to find that they gave him gas?

Please share your comments and suggestions below!