Are Bananas, Milk Or Curd Given To Babies When They Have Cold?

Babies are most precious for all parents. They leave no stone unturned to keep them well protected from all sorts of infections, but it is common for babies to catch cold and cough due to a change of weather. A sick, cranky child is the worst sight to witness. And a bigger challenge for parents is to understand what food should be given to babies which offer them relief. Amidst so many myths prevailing it is not easy to take a call on the type of food that should be given. Amongst the many foods, the common questions are if banana during cold and cough for babies is good or curd during cold and cough for babies is relieving and similarly shall milk be given to the babies during cold and cough? Parenting is tough, sure.

Let us have a brief look at all three types of food and weigh their composition, benefits, and side effects.

Bananas For Babies During Cold and Cough

It is agreed and well-known that banana is one of the most common fruits that is given to babies as their first food. It is nutrient-rich and helps with the growth and development of the baby, also it is one of the easy to prepare finger foods for babies with no teeth.  As it is soft and creamy, it is equally enjoyed by babies as well. But the question is “Is banana bad for cough or “is banana good for cold and flu”? Let us see in what ways can banana be beneficial for health.

Nutritional Value Of Bananas

According to a source, the nutritional value of one Robusta variety banana (100 grams) is 89 calories, 0.33 g fat, 1.09 g of protein, and 22.84g of carbohydrate.

• Calories: 89
• Total fat: 0.33 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg
• Sodium: 1 mg
• Potassium: 358 mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 22.84 g (Dietary fibre: 2.6 g; Sugar: 12.23 g)
• Protein: 1.09 g
• Vitamin A: 3 mcg
• Vitamin C: 8.7 mcg
• Iron: 0.26 mg

It is even recommended by the doctors that the child can have bananas from 6 months or above, which is also the time when babies start eating semi-solid foods. It is advised to give 2 tsp. mashed banana initially for the child to get used to it.

Benefits Of Banana For Babies

According to a source, below are the benefits of bananas for babies:

• They are fiber-rich which keeps the baby full for a good time and even helps with a smooth bowel movement
• It is full of nutrients like calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, niacin, folate, and vitamins and is one of the common foods for weight gain for babies
• Due to the presence of calcium and potassium in bananas, the bones also gain strength
• Bananas have folate that helps to boost memory and help in development of the child’s brain and prevents it from any damage
• Bananas have Vitamin A that helps to protect the cornea and in improving vision
• Due to the good presence of fiber, bananas help to cure constipation in babies

Is Banana Good For Babies During Cold And Cough?

A common question asked by many parents is “Why does my child get cold after eating bananas?” As per research the child can have bananas when he has a cold but not during the night, especially in winters. It should be avoided only if the child is already allergic to bananas.

Are There Any Harmful Effects Of Giving Bananas To Infants?

Bananas no doubt are dense with calories and nutrient-rich. An infant can easily have a banana daily, but having it in excess can be harmful so it should always be given in moderation¹.

After having a snippet on bananas, let us now analyze some points for milk.

Milk For Babies During Cold And Cough

One of the wholesome foods gifted by nature is milk. It is not only healthy but even very tasty. A food that is found worldwide and is also known to be nearly perfect for babies. A myth prevails that mucus increases if milk is consumed during cold and cough but according to research, milk is safe to be given at the time of cold and cough since it does not increase mucus production. It is advisable to give warm milk to babies.

The following nutrition information is provided by the USDA for 1 cup (8 ounces) of reduced-fat (2%) milk.

• Calories: 122
• Fat: 4.6g
• Sodium: 95mg
• Carbohydrates: 12g
• Fiber: 0g
• Sugars: 12g
• Protein: 8g
• Calcium: 307mg

Related Reading: 10 Foods That Make Breast Milk Taste Good (Indian)

Milk offers many minerals and vitamins like phosphorus, calcium, and vitamin A that can induce sleep hydrate the body, and cure respiratory illness.

Health Benefits Of Milk For Babies

Few health benefits of milk for babies are:

• Milk is an ideal source of calcium and helps in the development of bones, teeth, and other functions of the body like cell membrane function, muscle contraction, nerve conductivity, etc
• It is a great source of phosphorus that helps with digestion, healthy bones, and in the repair of cells
• Milk is the best acid neutralizer and helps to reduce acid reflux in the baby
• Milk is known to help with respiratory ailments like asthma, tonsilitis, hoarseness, laryngitis, bronchitis, etc. If hot milk is taken with a pinch of turmeric and freshly ground pepper, it helps to relieve the cold within 3-4 days
• It also helps with weight gain as it has sugars, proteins, fat, and carbohydrates
• Milk with honey before going to bed helps in getting better sleep as this mixture is like a tranquilizer. It is important to know that honey is only advised only after 12 months
• Milk also offers nutrients that help to rehydrate the body especially in summer where a drop in 10% of water can result in many ailments

Related Reading: 9 Tips To Keep Baby Warm At Night In Winters

Is Milk Good For Babies During Cold And Cough?

In olden times people used to believe that milk can lead to more mucus production, but research proves that no such evidence has been found. There is no such connection between the consumption of milk with mucus production. Milk has high energy content and offers good nutritional value that also helps in fighting infections. With slightly older babies, milk can be given with turmeric, ginger powder, etc. as it helps in protection from fever, cough, and cold.

Are There Any Harmful Effects Of Giving Milk To Infants?

Even though milk causes no harm to some babies, it is not safe for all babies. According to the source,

• Many babies can be sensitive to even the mother’s milk as they are lactose intolerant and it is advisable to keep monitoring any symptoms like consistent crying, noisy bowel movements, vomiting, diarrhea, restlessness, gas, etc.
• Cow milk for babies is not recommended since it has a greater concentration of sodium, calcium, vitamin, and proteins
• Babies can develop allergies, rashes, and breathing issues due to a cow’s milk allergy

Unless the baby has a milk allergy, it is completely safe to give milk to babies during cold.

After going through the aspects of milk, let us now see some points related to curd

Curd For Babies During Cold And Cough

Curd is a fermented food, a dairy product, and has high nutritional value. It is very good for the health of babies. Not only does it enhance the flavor of different foods but even aids with digestion and gives strong teeth and bones

Nutritional Value Of Curd

According to a source, the nutritional value of curds is the prime reason for its popularity. 100 grams of curd contains:

• About 100 calories
• Around 3.45 grams of carbohydrate
• Approximately 4.2 grams of fat
• 11.75 grams of protein
• 371 mg of sodium
• 99 mg of potassium
• Apart from that, curd also offers calcium, magnesium, vitamin A, D, and B-12 as well.

Health Benefits Of Curd For Babies

As the baby grows, the moms are always busy with their health, diet, and nutrition. As the babies are choosy and not willing to eat and everything, they can miss out on nutrients. When the babies start to grow, moms are always worried about their healthy diet. This is because babies are usually picky with what they want to eat and therefore, the essential nutrients are often missing from their diet.

Related Reading: 15 Common Foods That Can Be Unsafe For Babies

• Curd is rich in nutrients and contains minerals, carbohydrates that can make it a wholesome food for growing babies
• Since curd is formed by the fermentation of bacteria, it is easy to digest, and giving curd regularly helps the baby with proper digestion
• The lactic acid in curd helps to strengthen the immunity system of babies
• Due to its soothing nature, it aids in proper sleep
• The lactic acid in curd also helps to neutralize the acid-alkali balance
• As per research feeding babies with curd reduces the risk of allergies
• Curd also helps with strong bones and teeth

Is Curd Good For Babies During Cold And Cough?

Curd is safe to be given in normal conditions. Yet with cough and cold, it should be avoided at night since it has a chilling effect and can lead to chest congestion. However, as per Ayurveda, it helps to boost gut health and it even helps in treating colds and coughs while keeping the body hydrated.

Therefore, you can give baby curd at room temperature by seasoning it with ginger, curry leaves, and jeera.

Are There Any Harmful Effects Of Giving Curd To Infants?

There are many health benefits of giving curd to babies. However, one needs to take precautions and check the time when it is being given. The digestive system of the baby is still developing. Curd should be introduced wisely in the baby’s diet as it offers complete nourishment².

If the child is suffering from a cold and cough, it is a very difficult time for the parents. As babies all they can do is keep crying, they cannot explain the pain they go through. If they have a sore throat, runny nose, or problems with coughing, sneezing, or breathing, in short, if they are restless, it makes the parents worried and confused regarding what food they should give to the child. Now you understand that milk, curd, and bananas are good for the baby even during cough and cold. But one has to remember to follow the necessary precautions. All three foods have high nutritional value that can boost the health and development of the baby.

FAQ’s