Coconut milk is a nutritious, tasty, and superfood for babies and kids, its believed as the next best thing to breast milk. Including it regularly in a kid's diet is an excellent way to improve their bone strength and immunity to fight diseases. The miracle liquid has a creamy texture and natural sweetness, which makes it perfect for babies.
Here are some recipes to include coconut in your kid's menu. Read more to know information about the nutritional benefits of coconut milk, how and when to introduce coconut milk to the baby etc.
When can I introduce Coconut Milk to my baby?
Coconut milk can be introduced to babies' diets from 8 months. Giving plain coconut milk to babies is not a good idea, hence add a few tablespoons of coconut milk to mashed vegetables or any porridge to enhance the taste and creaminess. Please keep in mind that for babies below one year, breast milk or formula should be primary and it should not be replaced with coconut milk.
For Toddlers and kids, you can add it to milkshakes, kheer, smoothies, soups, rice, or curry. You can give a maximum 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup of coconut milk per day for babies and toddlers. Don't give more amount than mentioned as it keeps the tummy full for a long time, and hence, the child cannot eat other foods. Also, note that coconut milk cannot be used as a complete substitute for cows milk for toddlers and growing kids as its low in calcium and protein.
How to select and store Coconut Milk for Baby Food
- Freshly extracted homemade coconut milk is recommended for babies as it has a nice flavor and naturally sweet, unlike the store-bought coconut milk.
- Use the homemade coconut milk directly or refrigerate as per your preference. It stays good for four days in the refrigerator.
- In case of emergencies, you could opt for an organic, unsweetened store-bought canned coconut milk. Store in the refrigerator once the can is opened and finish within 4-5 days.
Nutrients in Coconut Milk
Here is the nutrition information of 1 cup of coconut milk (100 g)
Source: USDA
Health Benefits of Coconut Milk for Babies and Toddlers
- The phosphorus and magnesium content in coconut milk helps to build healthy muscles
- Keep your baby's skin glow as its rich in Copper
- Vitamin C in coconut milk improves immunity in children
- Helps to relieve from constipation due to its electrolytes and healthy fats
- One cup of coconut milk contains 25% 0f daily iron, which prevents anemia in children.
Coconut Milk Recipes for Babies Toddlers, and Kids
Here are some recipes to include the nutritious coconut milk in your child's menu.
1. Homemade Coconut Milk (8 Months+)
Coconut milk is readily available in the market, but homemade coconut milk is fresh and tastes delicious! The process of making coconut milk at home is simple, except for the grating part. You can use the coconut milk immediately or refrigerate as per your preference.
2. Vegetable Oats Porridge with Coconut Milk (8 Months+)
Vegetable Oats Porridge is a smooth, quick, one-pot savory porridge for babies and toddlers with vegetables, oats, and coconut milk! This creamy oats porridge is wholesome and filling that it can be given to babies as breakfast or even lunch.
3. Rice Moong Dal Kheer With Coconut Milk (8 Months+)
Easy to make, tasty and healthy dessert recipe for babies and toddlers with coconut milk and homemade rice moong dal cereal. It makes a delicious and filling dessert for small babies, even toddlers. 
4. Dates Kheer with Coconut Milk (8 Months+)
Dates kheer is a quick, healthy, no sugar kheer made with dates, nuts, dry fruits coconut milk. This delicious date kheer recipe is very easy to make within 15 minutes. It can be served as a quick dessert for babies after introducing dates and coconut milk separately.
5. Poha Kheer with Coconut Milk (8 Months+)
Poha kheer is an instant kheer made with poha aka flattened rice, nuts, dry fruits, and coconut milk. It is so simple to make with fewer ingredients, and it takes only 15 minutes to prepare this delicious tasting kheer. It can be served as a dessert or as a quick evening snack for babies and toddlers.
6. Broken Wheat Kheer with Coconut Milk (8 Months +)
Healthy dessert made with Dalia/ broken wheat/cracked wheat, nuts, and coconut milk! Dalia is a great healthy food for babies and kids, hence its recommended to include them in their diet at least once in a week. This Dalia kheer tastes so yummy! I am sure your little ones & the whole family will like it!
7. Sabudana Porridge with Coconut Milk (8 Months +)
Energy-boosting porridge recipe made with Sabudana/sago/javvarisi and coconut milk. This Sabudana porridge is a weight gaining food for babies and growing toddlers!
8. Mango Apricot Smoothie with Coconut Milk (8 Months +)
Tasty smoothie recipe made with mangoes, apricot and coconut milk! This smoothie is one of the best ways to include apricots in children's diets! Make sure to introduce mango and coconut milk separately before you try this mango apricot smoothie to your baby.
9. Banana Kheer With Coconut Milk (8 Months +)
A delicious dessert made with Kerala long banana /Nenthram pazham, nuts, and coconut milk! Kerala banana is a great healthy food for growing babies and kids, that helps in healthy weight gain too. This banana kheer is sure a healthy treat to babies and kids, as it is tasty and delicious.
10.Fish Curry with Coconut Milk (10 Months+)
Mildly spiced fish curry with coconut milk apt for babies, toddlers, and kids. This fish curry is very easy to make within 30 minutes and goes well with plain rice, Idli, or Dosa.
11.Moong Dal Kheer with Coconut Milk (8 Months +)
Easy and healthy dessert made with moong dal, nuts, and coconut milk or milk! Moong dal is an easily digestible & healthy food for babies and kids. This Kheer tastes so tasty and filling with simple ingredients. This moong dal kheer can be given to babies as a quick dessert.
12.Coconut Milk Rice (1 Year+)
Mildly flavored rice with coconut milk, cashews, ghee, and tempering. The coconut milk rice is one of the tasty and healthy rice variety, which is just apt for kids. You can serve this coconut milk rice with curd or any vegetable curry of your choice.
13. Kiwi Banna Smoothie with Coconut Milk (8 Months+)
Easy, a quick, one-pot meal made with vegetables, nuts, coconut milk, and rice in a pressure cooker. Pulao or biryanis are one of the best ways to sneak in veggies to fussy eater's diet. Also, it’s apt for the lunch box too. It goes well with plain curd or any raita. This vegetable nuts pulao can be given to babies once the baby started eating all family foods.
15. Vegetable Biryani with Coconut Milk (8 Months+)
Quick Vegetable biryani prepared with rice, vegetables, and coconut milk! It is very easy and fast to make when you have chopped mixed vegetables in hand. You can add any vegetable of your choice like carrots, beans, potatoes, cauliflower, peas and baby corns for making this vegetable biryani.
Try these delicious coconut milk recipes for babies & kids and add the nutritious liquid in your child's' menu!
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