A Guide to Choosing the Right Type of Pasta for Your Baby According to Age: Which One is the Most Appropriate?

Moms, have you ever included pasta in your little one’s complementary food menu? When your child is bored with rice, pasta dishes can be a great alternative. Especially now that there are many baby pasta options available, making them perfect finger foods for your little one. 

Pasta is a food made from flour or starch that is shaped into various shapes. It is served by boiling quickly and seasoning it with sauce and spices. This dish may be found in many countries, but the name pasta originates from Italy. 

When Can Babies Eat Pasta?

Pasta can be introduced as soon as the baby starts eating solid foods. American Academy of PediatricsThe U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends babies start trying solid foods between 4 and 6 months of age. However, pasta should be adapted to the child’s chewing ability. Others suggest introducing pasta to babies around 7-8 months of age. This is due to their digestive systems being considered more mature. 

Pasta often contains eggs and wheat, which are known allergens . Therefore, before deciding to introduce pasta, parents should consider their child’s allergy history. If it’s confirmed that your child isn’t allergic to these two ingredients, then they can start introducing pasta. 

Benefits of Consuming Pasta for Babies 

Pasta is generally made from rice flour and wheat flour, but there are some types of pasta made from flour derived from legumes, such as black beans and soybeans. Some pastas are also fortified with several vitamins and minerals beneficial for babies, such as iron and vitamin B3. Here are some of the benefits of pasta for babies:

1. Energy source for babies 

All pasta, regardless of type, contains a significant amount of carbohydrates to provide energy to a growing baby’s body. Energy is not only needed for the body but also for brain development. Therefore, carbohydrates are essential for babies. 

2. Source of selenium and manganese

According to LiveStrong , pasta made from white flour or whole wheat can be a good source of selenium. Selenium is a mineral that activates antioxidant enzymes responsible for protecting cells from molecular damage. Pasta also contains manganese, a mineral that helps the body metabolize carbohydrates and regulate blood sugar. 

3. Contains Vitamin B-9 which is good for development 

Pasta made from flour contains folate, or vitamin B-9. This substance is beneficial for red blood cell development and supports rapid cell growth. 

4. Good source of fiber for digestion

Fiber helps fight chronic diseases, including obesity and type 2 diabetes. In infants, fiber can help the body improve digestive health. 

Types of Pasta for Babies According to Age Stage 

Every baby has their own developmental stage. Each baby also has a different ability to chew food.Solid Starts, several types of pasta can be consumed by babies as an alternative menufinger food.

Babies’ grasping abilities naturally vary. Therefore, the types of pasta suitable for each age group also vary. Here are some pasta types suited to each baby’s abilities:

Pasta for Ages 6-9 months

At this age, babies’ grasping skills are still immature. To accommodate this, it’s best to choose pasta with large tubes, such as penne, rigatoni, or ziti. Pasta may be too slippery for babies to grasp, so parents can use spaghetti or noodles cut into shorter pieces. 

Tips: 

• Use kitchen scissors to cut the noodles so they are not too long. 
• Place it in a bowl and provide a spoon so your child can learn to scoop or hold it too.

Age 9-12 Months

At this age, babies begin to develop the ability to pinch with their hands (where the thumb and index finger meet). This allows them to pick up smaller pieces of food. 

Macaroni and ravioli pasta cut into quarters are suitable. You can also use tube-shaped pasta cut into smaller pieces.

If your baby is still struggling, it’s okay to serve pasta in larger pieces. This will help develop biting, chewing, and grinding skills.

Age 12-18 Months

At this age, toddlers may be more adept at picking up and grasping long, thin noodles. Offer a wider variety of noodle shapes and textures, but serve them in smaller pieces, such as spaghetti, ramen, or rice noodles.

At this stage, babies can also learn to use a spoon or fork. However, it’s okay if they still use their hands to pick up food.

Age 18-24 Months

By nearly 2 years old, babies generally begin eating full family meals. At this age, babies can also eat any type of pasta. Toddlers can also be taught to use chopsticks or a fork to pick up noodles. 

So, there you have it, various types of pasta for babies that are age-appropriate. Besides being delicious, this food is also rich in benefits. So, don’t hesitate to give pasta to your little one as part of their complementary feeding, Moms. Pasta is safe for babies as long as it’s appropriate for their age. 

Republished with permission from theAsianParent Indonesia