Babies develop a sweet tooth before they develop their natural teeth. A taste of anything sugary, and they open their mouths for more like eager beavers. Most pediatricians advise not to offer sugar before the baby turns one year old, and even after that, you don’t want your child to consume too much of it. Luckily, there is an easier, healthier alternative. Dates are nature’s desserts, loaded with nutrition that is good for your baby’s development. Homemade date syrup is easy to make, and it has all the sweet flavour your baby loves. Along with additional healthy goodness of dates that will make you, as a parent, very happy. 

Date syrup benefits 

  • Helps relieve constipation in babies as it is rich in fibre
  • Packed with nutrients like Vitamin A, iron, calcium and potassium

Recipe for homemade date syrup

Once your baby turns six months or starts solids, you can add a small amount of syrup in his food or offer a little bit on a spoon once in a while. Try not to give it every day as the child may develop a taste for only sweet items and refuse to try other savoury dishes. 

Ingredients (serves two):

  • Dates, organic if possible – 1 cup (250 ml)
  • Water – 1 cup

Method:

  • Wash and deseed the dates
  • Heat water and bring to a boil 
  • Soak the dates in hot water for 1-2 hours
  • Take the dates out of the water and mash them into pulp
  • Coarsely strain and collect the thick juice
  • Repeat the above process to extract more juice from the dates
  • Collect the juice and heat on the stove for ten minutes till it reduces to a thick, sticky paste
  • Keep stirring to avoid burning

Once cooled, the syrup is ready to be consumed. Store in refrigerator. 

Cooking time: 20 minutes

Conclusion

Date syrup, with a sweet taste, is a healthier alternative to sugar and can help add flavour and nutrition to your baby’s meals. Just remember to use it sparingly or else your child may start demanding a spoonful at every meal.