Introduction: Celebrate the Holidays with Baby-Friendly Festive Foods

Christmas is a time for family, fun, and feasting, but navigating the holiday spread with little ones can be tricky. This guide will help you make Christmas mealtimes inclusive, safe, and stress-free, with tips to swap out potential hazards and offer baby-friendly alternatives that still capture the season's spirit.

Foods to Avoid or Swap (and Why)

1. Nuts, Seeds, Hard Candy, and Grapes

Why we recommend skipping for baby: Whole nuts, seeds, and hard candies are choking hazards, and grapes can be too.
Swaps:
- Use thin spreads of nut or seed butter on soft bread.
- Blend seeds into purees or smoothies.
- Cut grapes into quarters for safe eating.
- Skip hard candies and opt for soft pastries or desserts instead - we love our Gingerbread Man Mini Loaves, Raspberry Chia Muffins, Pumpkin Bread or Lemon Ricotta Pancakes to have on hand!

2. Hard or Crunchy Foods (e.g., Raw Carrots, Popcorn)

Why we recommend skipping for baby: These foods are difficult for babies and toddlers to chew safely.
Swaps:
- Steam or bake carrots until soft.
- Offer mashed sweet potatoes or baked veggie alternatives.
- For snacks, try steamed corn on the cob, soft crackers, or corn thins.
- We love our BLW & Toddler friendly Zucchini Fritters, Sweet Potato Fritters, Blueberry Muffins

3. Honey-Glazed Ham

Why we recommend skipping for baby: Glazed ham is marinated in… you guessed it- honey. Honey is unsafe for babies under 12 months due to the risk of botulism.
Swaps:
- Serve plain roasted ham or another unsweetened roasted meat option

4. Salty Foods (Gravy, Cured Meats, Stuffing, Cheese Boards)

Why we recommend limiting for baby: High salt levels can strain babies' developing kidneys.
Swaps:
- Offer small amounts of these foods and balance them with plenty of water.
- Use low-sodium gravies made with baby-friendly broths like Le Puree bone broth.

5. Alcohol-Infused Dishes

Why we recommend skipping for baby: Alcohol may not fully cook off in some dishes, posing a risk to little ones. Some dishes that may include alcohol at the holidays are: christmas pudding, mince pies, trifle, fruit cake, eggnog, glazed ham, red wine sauce/gravy, coq au vin….
Swaps:
- Use fruit juices like apple or grape as a substitute in recipes where possible!

Festive Flavours to Explore

Create dishes using baby-safe festive flavors, avoiding staples like honey, salt, and sugar. Instead, experiment with:

Spices: Cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, allspice.
Herbs: Rosemary, thyme, sage, basil, oregano.
Base Ingredients: Onion, garlic, shallots, olive oil, butter, and vinegars.

Perfect Christmas Plate for Babies

Make Christmas extra special with a balanced plate that incorporates holiday flavours:

Mashed sweet potatoes.
Soft turkey pieces with low-salt gravy made using Le Puree bone broth.
Steamed green beans.
A toddler-friendly pasta salad.

For added festive flair, Le Puree’s Christmas-inspired blends capture the spirit of the season in every bite, ensuring your little one can safely join the celebrations.

Final Tips: Keep the Holidays Stress-Free

Introduce new flavours gradually, and always supervise your baby during mealtimes. With these swaps and ideas, your tiny diner can enjoy the festive fun without compromising on safety.