How to Make Plum Puree for Babies

Not only are plums full of vitamins and nutrients that are ideal for a growing baby, but they also have lots of fiber in their skins and pectin in their flesh, making plums one of the best natural remedies for curing a bout of constipation.

Prunes, which are dried plums, are also a great choice for treating constipation. But be careful: Dried fruits, including prunes, can be a choking hazard, so make sure to serve them in age-appropriate ways. For example, you can rehydrate a prune by letting sit in water until it reabsorbs enough liquid to make it soft and ready to cut or puree.

Want to learn how to make homemade plum puree for your baby? Follow the simple instructions below.

Step 1: Select & Buy Plums

A ripe plum will smell sweet at the stem and give slightly when you squeeze it; the color can vary and isn't a good indicator of ripeness. Look for fruit that's free of nicks, bruises, and other blemishes. One whole plum yields about four ounces of puree.

If plums are not in season and are difficult to find, you can use frozen plums instead. Make sure to thaw the plums completely before moving on to the next steps.

Step 2: Wash the Plums

Before you wash the fruit, make sure to wash your hands with warm water and soap so that you don't transfer any germs to the food you're working with. Then, wash the plum with a mixture of three parts water and one part white vinegar to remove bacteria. Rinse the fruit under cool running water and pat dry with a clean dishcloth or paper towel.

Step 3: Boil & Peel the Plums

Bring water to a boil in a medium saucepan and then add plums to the water for about 45 seconds. Remove plums from boiling water with a slotted spoon and plunge them into an ice bath immediately. The boiling water will help soften and loosen the skin, and the ice water will stop the cooking process so you don't lose precious vitamins and nutrients. After fully submerging the plum in the ice water, remove and peel the skin with your fingers or a sharp paring knife.

Step 4: Pit & Slice the Plums

Slice the plum in half, lengthwise, working your way around the pit. Twist and pull the plum halves apart. Use a spoon to pry out the pit, or stick the blade of a sharp knife into the pit and twist until the pit pops out. If you use a knife, take extra care not to cut yourself while digging into the pit. Once the pit is removed, slice each half into even-sized slices then quarter each.

Step 5: Puree or Mash the Plums

Puree the plum slices in a food processor or blender until smooth. Add water as needed to reach desired consistency. For a chunkier plum puree, which is ideal for babies 10 months or older, mash it with a potato masher instead of pureeing it.

If you have extra plum slices, you can place them in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to two days.

Step 6: Serve Plum Puree

The sweet, mild-flavored plum puree is delicious plain. To introduce your baby to new textures and flavors, mix the puree with other fruits, meat or poultry, oatmeal, or full-fat yogurt. Try mixing plum puree with:

• Applesauce
• Baby oatmeal
• Banana
• Chicken
• Full-fat plain Greek yogurt
• Peach
• Pear
  
• Turkey

Step 7: Freeze Leftover Plum Puree

Cool plum puree and refrigerate leftovers in BPA-free containers for up to 3 days. Freeze leftovers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in your refrigerator.