What Are the Benefits and Drawbacks of Feeding Babies Pumpkin?

Pumpkin is a food that we often eat in our daily life, especially for babies. Pumpkin is rich in β-carotene, which can be converted into vitamin A after being absorbed by the body. Vitamin A is beneficial to the development of baby's vision. Additionally, β-carotene in pumpkin can help maintain the healthy growth and development of babies. However, there are both benefits and drawbacks of eating pumpkin for babies. Let's take a look at them below.

Benefits of Pumpkin for Babies

1. Enhancing Baby's Immunity

The autumn climate is dry, and many children may experience symptoms such as dry lips, nasal bleeding, and dry skin to varying degrees. Additionally, it is the high season for "influenza," which can affect the health of babies. Experts recommend increasing the intake of foods rich in vitamins A and E for children, as they can enhance their immune system and improve autumn dryness symptoms. Pumpkin contains β-carotene, which can be converted into vitamin A after being absorbed by the body. Furthermore, β-carotene in pumpkin can help regulate the secretion of various hypothalamic hormones, maintaining healthy growth and development for children.

2. Helping Babies with Weaning

Pumpkin can also be a helpful food for babies during the weaning process. Since autumn weather is relatively cool, it is a good time for babies to wean. Pumpkin can be used to make weaning foods because it contains rich sugars and is easy to digest and absorb. Pumpkin has high nutritional value and can be used to make soups, porridges, cooked rice, and more. Adding pumpkin to baby food not only facilitates absorption but also provides a large amount of nutrients that are beneficial for the baby's growth.

Drawbacks of Pumpkin for Babies

Firstly, eating too much pumpkin can turn a baby's skin yellowish. Pumpkin is rich in β-carotene, which is widely found in yellow-leaved vegetables and fruits such as pumpkins, carrots, lettuce, and oranges. When children consume excessive amounts of pumpkin and intake too much β-carotene, it can deposit in the epidermal stratum corneum, resulting in skin discoloration around the nose, forehead, palms, feet, eyes, nails, joints, and other areas with the most wrinkles. This condition is known as carotenoderma, giving the appearance of jaundice.

However, eating too little pumpkin is also not advisable for babies. Insufficient intake can lead to night blindness and affect vision. β-carotene is a precursor of vitamin A, which converts into vitamin A and plays a crucial role in vision when combined with protein. A lack of β-carotene can lead to serious consequences such as night blindness or even complete blindness, especially in children.