Yes. Black beans are small, rounded, and can be firm, especially when raw or undercooked, qualities that can increase the risk of choking.
Are Black Beans a Good Source of Iron for Babies and Toddlers?
Iron, in particular, is an essential nutrient that serves as the part of our red blood cells that transports oxygen throughout the body.
Iron is also a key nutrient for brain development and growth, and since babies grow so rapidly during the first year of life, it’s important to ensure that their iron needs are met.
Full-term babies store up enough iron in utero to last throughout their first 4 to 6 months of life. However, at about six months of age, babies need to start getting iron from food.
Inadequate iron puts babies at risk for iron deficiency anemia and can lead to a decline in overall health, immunity, and cognitive development. In fact, iron deficiency is the most common nutrient deficiency in kids worldwide, and if prolonged, the neurocognitive damage can’t be reversed even with supplements.
Breastfed babies are at higher risk for iron deficiency than formula-fed babies (as breast milk is notoriously low in iron) so at about six months of age, we need to start making iron-rich solid foods a priority for babies – including black beans, which contain 3.61 mg of iron per cup.
Babies ages 7 to 12 months need about 11mg of iron daily. At ~12 months old, iron-fortified infant formula is typically replaced in a baby’s diet by cow’s milk which is low in iron. This highlights the importance of iron-rich foods for toddlers as well.
As a pediatric dietitian, I like taking a food-first approach that prioritizes iron-rich foods as the best way to help prevent iron deficiency during childhood. If you have concerns about your child’s iron status, talk to your pediatrician or pediatric dietitian and always check in with the doctor first before starting your child on any iron supplements.
How to Introduce Black Beans to Babies
Luckily, black beans do not typically cause allergic reactions in babies and are not among the top 9 most common food allergens.
However, black beans are a legume, so if your child is allergic to other legume foods like peanuts or soybeans, be on alert when first introducing black beans; offer a tiny amount, wait about 10 minutes, and if there is no reaction continue to feed the rest of the portion if your baby seems to want more, monitoring for signs of an allergic reaction during and for about 2 hours following the meal. The most common signs of food allergies in babies are hives and vomiting.
2 Protein Rich Lunch Recipe For Babies & Toddlers/ 7+ Months Baby Food/Black Eyed Beans Recipe Ideas
FAQ
Do you need to cook canned black beans for baby?
Do you need to cook canned black beans?
Can you eat black beans without cooking them?
Can babies eat beans straight from the can?
Can you use black beans as baby food?
Try this easy Slow Cooker or Instant Pot Black Bean recipe to start with dry beans. To puree, blend with water or no-salt-added chicken or vegetable stock. Then, you can serve it as a Stage 1 baby food, or use it together with other purees as a Stage 2 or 3 baby food. It’s particularly great mixed with Sweet Potato Baby Food and Avocado Puree.
What is the serving size of black beans?
You can consume as much black beans as you want. However, they can provide a lot of fiber, which can cause stomach upset and diarrhea. It is advisable to consume a portion the size of a normal plate.
How do you cook black beans for baby?
Learn how to serve black beans for baby—whether from a can or cooked from dry—with these easy ideas for BLW, puree, and finger foods. Add the beans to a blender. Blend, adding 1 tablespoon water (or no-salt-added chicken or vegetable stock) at a time to reach the desired consistency.
When can babies eat black beans?
Black beans may be introduced as soon as baby is ready to start solids, which is generally around 6 months of age. Where do black beans come from? Black bean (or black turtle bean) originated in the Americas as part of the common bean family, which encompasses kidney bean, navy bean, and more.