Bone broth is my number one choice for baby's first food. It is full of goodness, but is easy to digest, and makes a great stepping stone into the world of food introduction. Plus...! It is easy to make, and you can make enough to freeze and last a long time!

Bone broth can be used as a base for any of your baby foods. You can add it to puree, sauces, even meatballs (or vegie balls!). When your little one is having a hard time with a sore stomach or constipation, or is teething and doesn't want to bite down on foods, bone broth gives them that something to enjoy on top of their milk. It is fantastic for babies with reflux, colic, or sensitive tummies, as it helps to coat the gut lining with healing nutrients and isn't too taxing to digest.

Chicken Broth – A great first bone broth

Ingredients:

1kg of bony chicken parts, such as necks, backs, breastbones and wings – (I opted for wings only as it was important to me that the meat be pasture-fed and organic. You will need to check with your personal butcher regarding this. You can also use 1 whole free-range chicken if you wish).
4L filtered water - enough to cover the chicken
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar (this helps to draw out the nutrients from the bone marrow and cartilage)
1 large onion, coarsely chopped
2 carrots, peeled and coarsely chopped
3 celery stalks, coarsely chopped
1 bunch parsley

Other optional ingredients (some babies cannot tolerate these foods):

1 Garlic
3 Tomatoes or 1 can of tomatoes (chopped or whole)
1 White potato
1-2 Leeks

Method:

Place everything except the parsley into a pot, make sure the meat is covered in water.

Bring to a boil, then simmer for 6-8 hours (though really you can slow cook it up to 24 hours!). Add parsley or other herbs for the last 30 min (max).

Once cooked, remove chicken and strain small bones. You can add the meat back in if you’d like to make a chicken soup. Otherwise you can use that meat for something else.

Let it cool and blend if necessary.

Put in the fridge until the fat is a gel on the top. That way you can remove it and use it separately for cooking. – (Sometimes I leave the fat on to make a fatty style broth, other times I remove it and use it to roast vegetables).

Store in the fridge or freezer – (I like to do this in small serving size containers so that I can grab and use exactly what I need).

Have you tried feeding your baby bone broth? How did they like it? Jump over to my instagram and let me know!