Corn For Babies: Safety, Right Age, Benefits And Recipes

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Corn, also known as maize, is a sweet-tasting grain rich in carbohydrates and fiber. Besides, it contains protein and several micronutrients that can effectively contribute to a baby’s nutritional requirements. But is corn for babies safe? Since corn has high amounts of insoluble fiberⁱXA food component that adds bulk to the stool and helps food pass more quickly through the intestines. , you might be wondering if babies can digest corn comfortably. So, keep reading to know about corn’s safety for babies, its possible health benefits, and some age-appropriate corn recipes for babies you can try at home.

Can Babies Eat Corn?

Corn is safe for your baby, but you cannot make it a part of his first solid food. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that you give the baby conventional first foods such as cereals, fruit, and mashed vegetables before adding corn to his diet.

If your family has a history of corn allergies, you need to avoid it until the baby is grown enough to sustain. Also, babies with eczema should not be given corn, unless your doctor okays it.

When And How To Include Corn In A Baby’s Diet?

According to the American Academy for Pediatrics (AAP), corn can be introduced after six months of age once you begin weaning and the baby begins to consume solid foods. However, if you are worried about the allergies, wait until he turns one year old. Also, corn is difficult to digest, so it is advisable to delay it until his digestive system improves. Here are various ways you can choose to feed corn for babies:

Eva De Angelis, an Argentina-based licensed dietitian nutritionist, says, “While corn is generally safe because it is high in fiber, it may upset your baby’s stomach, causing gas and bloating. In addition, feeding your baby too much corn may cause diarrhea. This is why sometimes dietitians recommend waiting until your baby is 12 months old to introduce corn to their diet. Yet, pureed corn is safe to introduce from six months old.”

• For parents who follow baby-led weaning instead of spoon feeding, offering spoons preloaded with corn puree can help.

• You can move on from puree to creamed corn when your child grows into a toddler around 18-24 months.

• Once he is two years or more and learns to use his newly grown teeth to chew, you can give him kernels to eat but ensure that he is chewing them.

Maize may not be the ideal baby food as it does not have a very high nutritional value. If you have to choose between corn and healthier food, go for the latter and wait to introduce corn as finger food in later months.

Nutritional Values In Corn

Corn is high in B vitamins: thiamin, niacin, pantothenic acid (B5), and folate. It contains dietary fiber, minerals, magnesium, and phosphorus at moderate levels. This table provides the nutritional values:

Did you know?

Cornmeal or maize flour is often fortified with essential micronutrients and minerals to help prevent micronutrient deficiencies in several countries (5).

Benefits Of Corn For Babies

Corn offers certain benefits for your baby if you limit the intake to moderate levels. Here are a few reasons why corn can be beneficial:

1. Helps in weight gain:

About 100g corn contains around 350 calories. If your baby is underweight, a corn diet could help him gain some pounds. Even a baby with normal weight can be given this vegetable to maintain his weight after you stop breastfeeding him completely.

2. Body growth and development:

Corn is rich in B complex vitamins. Thiamin supports nerves and brain development; niacin improves metabolism, especially of sugars, proteins, and fatty acids; and folate helps new cell development.

3. Muscle and nerve function:

Corn contains phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, and iron. Phosphorus supports bone health; potassium and magnesium are necessary for muscle and nerve function. Iron improves brain development.

4. Protects blood cells:

The presence of antioxidants (through vitamin E) makes maize good for protecting cells from damage. It contains phenolic compound ferulic acid, which is an anti-carcinogenic agent. Antioxidants prevent tissue and DNA damage in the body.

5. Improves digestion:

The presence of fiber makes corn a good laxative. If your baby has frequent constipation issues, a few corn products like corn seeds and cornflour could resolve the problem.

Corn seeds are natural laxatives and can be used to relieve constipation. Cornflour is also good, but it needs to be whole cornflour and not refined.

“Boiled corn is better tolerated and can help your baby absorb all of the nutrients corn offers. Keep in mind that even if the corn kernels are fully cooked, they can pose a choking hazard to your baby. So, until they’re 12 months old, make sure to puree them as much as possible,” De Angelis suggests.

6. Good vision and skin:

Yellow maize is rich in vitamin A, a source of beta-carotene that gives better eyesight. Beta-carotene, which is not a part of vitamin A, acts as an antioxidant that is good for the baby’s skin.

Effects Of Corn On Babies

The natural sugars in corn can become starch quickly, and hence corn is not considered beneficial for a baby. Its ill-effects broadly manifest in two ways:

1. Allergies
2. Intolerance

1. Allergies

According to US CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics 2021 data, 4.4% of children between 0 and 5 years in the US have food allergies. A child develops an allergy to corn due to the proteins present in the kernels. Lipid transfer protein (LTP) is a major cause of allergies as it stays on even after processing or heating the corn and post digestion. Other potential allergens are storage proteins and corn pollen present in the kernel.

Both corn and corn-based products could trigger allergies such as eczema and allergic rhinitisⁱXInflammation of the nose caused by an allergen leading to itching, sneezing, and watery eyes. . However, corn does not figure in the top eight food allergens of the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004.

Here is a list of some corn products but it is not exhaustive as corn is used as an ingredient in several foods:

• cornstarch
• baking powder
• corn oil
• cornflakes
• corn tortillas
• popcorn
• vanilla extract
• confectioners’ sugar
• corn meal
• mannitolⁱXA type of sugar alcohol used as a sweetener and medication.
• margarineⁱXA spread used in baking and cooking for flavor..
• colour hominy
• lactic acid
• invert sugarⁱXA liquid sweetener made from table sugar and water.
• corn syrup
• caramel
• dextrinⁱXProducts formed by heating starch in the presence of moisture and acid.
• dextroseⁱXSimple sugar made from corn or wheat.
• fructose
• maltodextrin
• sorbitolⁱXA sugar alcohol that is slowly absorbed by the small intestine and may act as a laxative.

Corn allergy symptoms in babies

If you observe any of these symptoms in your baby, stop giving him corn immediately (1):

• Hives or a skin rash
• Nausea, stomach cramps, indigestion, vomiting, or diarrhea
• Stuffy or a runny nose
• Sneezing
• Headaches
• Asthma and in a worse case anaphylaxisⁱXA severe allergic reaction causing breathing difficulty and loss of consciousness.

How to deal with corn allergy?

• The first obvious way to deal with the allergy is to avoid corn and corn-derived products.
• Give your baby home-cooked food because ready-to-eats can contain corn in any form.
• If the reaction is severe, take your baby to a doctor. He would administer epinephrine (adrenaline).

Be watchful

If your baby has a corn or maize allergy, read the labels of all products, including medications, foods, and cosmetics, since these may contain corn starch or syrup (6).

2. Intolerance

Intolerance is different from allergies as it reflects in the form of digestive problems. Your baby could have the below symptoms if he is intolerant to maize:

• Bloating
• Gas
• Stomach pain
• Diarrhea

Intolerance could be short-lived when compared to allergies.

13 Tips To Select And Store Corn

Once you make sure that your baby is not allergic or intolerant to corn, you may begin to add it to his diet. Here are a few tips to select the best corn available in the market:

1. Select fresh corn as it is the best way to consume the vegetable.
2. Purchase non-GMO and organic corn harvested from a fresh corn crop that is cultivated in a sustainable manner.
3. Buy corn with husks on them as they protect them from heat, damage, and dirt during the harvest.
4. Ensure the husks are not dry, as dried husks indicate stale corn. Fresh corn picked fresh from the stalk has a tight and green husk.
5. The kernels need to be plump and shiny.
6. The tassels (brown hair-like things at the top) need to be sticky and glowing.
7. Frozen corn may also be bought.
8. If you opt to give your baby canned corn, check the ingredients to make sure that there is no added sugar in them. Canned corn has fewer proteins.
9. Try to consume the corn within three days.
10. Store them in an airtight container and put them in the refrigerator.
11. Corn needs to be kept away from sunlight or heat because the sugars in corns convert to starch easily.
12. If the supermarket allows, peel the husks of fresh corn back to check the tip of the corn and the quality of the kernels.
13. If you are not allowed to peel the husk, press the corn with your hands to feel for its firmness. A firm corn is fresh and has healthy kernels.

Corn Recipes For Babies

Here are a few recipes for your baby to have corn in the tastiest way:

1. Corn Puree

Image: Shutterstock

You Will Need:

• One cob of sweet corn
• A teaspoon of water, breast milk or formula

How To:

1. Get the kernels off the cob. The best way to do it is by running a knife across the kernels.
2. Put the kernels in boiling water and let them boil until they are soft.
3. Make a puree by blending the kernels with a little water or milk. Add more water if you want a more runny consistency.

2. Pumpkin And Cornmeal Porridge

Image: Shutterstock

You Will Need:

• 1 cup water
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup puréed pumpkin
• Yellow cornmeal (as needed)
• Water as needed
• One tablespoon brown sugar
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger (optional)
• A pinch of salt

How To:

1. Add water, milk, and pumpkin in a pan.
2. In another bowl, mix the cornmeal with some water. Make sure there are no lumps.
3. Add the cornmeal paste and sugar to the pumpkin mixture, stirring until the mixture thickens.
4. Add ginger and salt.
5. Let it cook for another three to five minutes.
6. Serve the warm corn porridge for baby.

Quick tip

Store cornmeal in dry, cool, and dark places in tightly sealed containers to extend shelf life (7).

3. Carrot, Potato, and Sweet Corn Purée

Image: Shutterstock

You Will Need:

• 1 carrot
• 1 potato
• 1 tbsp peas
• 2 tbsp of sweet corn kernels
• 4 tbsp of water
• 1 tsp of olive oil

How To:

1. Sauté finely chopped carrot in an oiled pan until soft.
2. Add potato, peas, sweet corn, and water.
3. Let the mixture come to a boil and then simmer it for 15 minutes.
4. Make this corn puree for baby that suits his palate.

4. Maize, Apple, and Sweet Potato Puree

Image: Shutterstock

You Will Need:

• 2 cups corn kernels
• 1 apple peeled
• 1 sweet potato

How To:

1. Cook the corn and steam the apple and sweet potato.
2. Puree the three.
3. Add some breast milk or formula to make it watery.

5. Corn and Cauliflower Puree

Image: IStock

You Will Need:

• 2 cups corn kernels
• 1 cup chopped cauliflower
• 1 cup yogurt
• Pepper (optional)

How To:

1. Cook the corn and steam the cauliflower.
2. Puree both in a blender.
3. Mix yogurt and pepper for taste.

6. Sweet Corn Soup

Image: Shutterstock

You Will Need:

• Fresh sweet corn
• A tablespoon each of finely chopped carrot, beans, broccoli, and spring onions
• Salt to taste

How To:

1.  Cook the corn cobs and remove the kernels after they cool down.
2. Puree the kernels (keep a few kernels away for later use).
3. Cook the other vegetables in a heavy bottom pan, with a thin layer of butter applied on it.
4. After cooking for around two minutes, add the corn puree, a bit of salt, and bring it to a boil.
5. Add water to bring the soup to the desired consistency.
6. Add the remaining corn kernels and simmer.

7. Corn Fritters

Image: Shutterstock

Age: Above 1 year

You Will Need:

• A small cup of multipurpose flour
• 2-3 tbsp milk
• 2-3 tsp sauce
• A cup of sweetcorn kernels
• Vegetable oil to cook

How To:

1. Mix the flour and milk to make a smooth batter.
2. Add the sauce and corn kernels.
3. Apply a thin layer of vegetable oil on a frying pan, and spread small portions of the batter on it.
4. Press them slightly while cooking and toss them a few times.

8. Cornflour Cutlets

Image: Shutterstock

Age: Above 1 year

You Will Need:

• 2 tbsp cornflour
• 1 boiled potato
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste
• Oil to fry

How To:

1. Mash the boiled potato.
2. Mix cornflour, lemon juice, and salt and add a bit of pepper to it.
3. Make the mix into small flat rounds, using your palms.
4. Fry the rounds in a frying pan, tossing now and then.

Tip: Cornmeal mixes well with mashed potatoes, carrots, apples, peas, brown rice or rice meal, which are easily digestible.

9. Corn pancakes

Image: Shutterstock

Age: Above 1 year

You Will Need:

• 1 cup cooked sweet corn
• ½ cup jaggery or brown sugar
• ½ cup corn flour
• A pinch of salt
• 1/2 cup water
• Olive oil to fry

How To:

1. Blend sweet corn, water, and jaggery to a smooth paste.
2. Add cornflour and salt and mix thoroughly to make pancake batter.
3. Brush a pan with olive oil and cook the pancakes.

10. Corn muffins

Image: Shutterstock

Age: Above 1 year

You Will Need:

• 1 ¾ Cup cornmeal
• ¾ Cup flour
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ cup maple syrup
• 1 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 2 eggs
• ¼ cup vegetable oil

How To:

1. Mix the dry ingredients in a bowl.
2. Add the wet ingredients in a separate bowl and thoroughly mix till well combined.
3. Whisk together both the bowls’ contents.
4. Grease mini muffin cups and pour the muffin batter into each.
5. Bake in a preheated oven at 425 degrees for 15 minutes.
6. Check if it is done with a toothpick (It is to be considered done if it comes out clean when inserted deep).
7. Cool and serve.

Infographic: How To Select And Feed Corn For Babies?

Rich in dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals, corn is a starchy vegetable and grain eaten worldwide for ages. So, if you wish to include these yummy kernels in your baby’s diet when they start solids, look at the infographic below for some useful tips to consider.

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Dr. Shikha SharmaMBBS

Celebrity nutrition advisor Dr. Shikha Sharma has founded Dr. Shikha’s Nutrihealth in 1998. Dr. Shikha has done her MBBS from Maulana Azad Medical College and holds 21 years of experience in the field of health and nutrition. Her organization, Dr. Shikha's NutriHealth, has over 50 Ayurveda experts and nutritionists who provide consultation services to the clients. The Nutrihealth expert team...more

• Katie HlucnyMS, RDN, LRD

  Katie Hlucny is a registered dietitian with over 2.6 years of experience in the field. She holds an MS in Human Nutrition and Food Science from the University of Wyoming and a BS in Dietetics from the University of North Dakota. In addition to her professional experience, Katie is a mom with a baby starting solids using a baby-led weaning approach.
  
  Katie Hlucny is a registered dietitian with over 2.6 years of experience in the field. She holds an MS in Human Nutrition and Food Science from the University of Wyoming and a BS in Dietetics from the University of North Dakota. In addition to her professional experience, Katie is a mom with a baby starting solids using a baby-led weaning approach.
• Eva De AngelisBS

  Eva De Angelis is a dietitian nutritionist and chef from Argentina. She holds a BS in Human Nutrition and Dietetics from Universidad ISalud and is in private practice.
  
  Eva De Angelis is a dietitian nutritionist and chef from Argentina. She holds a BS in Human Nutrition and Dietetics from Universidad ISalud and is in private practice.

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