Ma Koko (Yellow Corn Porridge) - Baby's First Food Recipe (6mo+)
I am a super proud Mommy right now. Essi eats everything and anything I have introduced to her as part of her first solids. I must admit I was a bit wary and worried that she would reject some foods such as her veggies but thanks be to God for answered prayers! She even eats broccoli 🤩!
If you are a new young mommy like myself, I am sure you had your mother insisting on giving your 4mo baby Ma Koko (corn porridge) and it probably startled you why you should at such a young age. Me too! I don’t know why we insist so much on corn porridge being baby’s first solid food. Such a stressful period. “ You should be giving her Koko already!” I was adamant that we wait. I started my baby girl on her first solids from 6 months even though she started showing interest in food from 5 and half months. I gave her a taste of tiny bits of fruits I would be eating because she just couldn’t keep her eyes off the colourful apples and kiwi’s I would be snacking on and who can say no to that curious look in her eyes.
When Should You Start Baby’s First Solids?
When baby starts showing interest in what you are eating, has a steady head ( neck is stronger) and can sit upright. Also you can check with your paediatrician on if it’s a good time based on these signs.
How Much Should I Start With?
Since it’s baby’s first foods, start with a tablespoon of pureed foods at first and increase gradually as baby’s stomach grows. I started with a tablespoon of porridge and pureed fruits at first, moved on to 2 tablespoons, then half a cup and we are now almost at a small bowlful of porridge and other meals.
Homemade vs Store Bought.
I decided a long time ago to make my own homemade baby foods using our local ingredients as much as possible. First of all, it’s cheaper. Have you seen the prices of these imported bottled baby foods? Chai!!! Babies can eat oh so make the same decision as I did. It’s also healthier. I am a bit on the sidelines with some of these bottled baby foods and the preservatives in them.
Making Corn Porridge….Finally oo!!
So when I finally told my mom to buy yellow corn, I am sure she was ecstatic ! Yellow corn is a much more nutritious corn than white corn due to the higher carotene in the yellow grain. It’s available at most major local markets.
Tips On How To Prepare Yellow Corn For Porridge.
Yellow corn is sold in the dried state. Buy an olonka which is sufficient for about two months supply of porridge.
Pick through it for any impurities such as stones and other grains.
Soak it for 2-3 days in water. The length of days depends on the dryness of the corn. If it’s too dry, soak for 3 days. Use enough water to completely cover the grains.
Pour the water out and rinse through. Send to the mill to be ground. Ensure that the miller cleans out the machine before the corn is ground.
After milling, mix with water to turn the corn powder into a thicker doughy texture. Carefully ensure that the corn dough doesn’t become too watery. Press and pat down. Allow to sit to slightly ferment for 1 and 1/2 day.
After the 1 1/2 day, roll dough into a golf-sized ball in your hand. You should get about several balls to store away in the freezer. Store in a ziplock bag for easy identification. You can also label it so no-one picks it up to make their own porridge. :-) You can pick each ball to cook for bab'y’s breakfast or dinner each day.
How To Cook Corn Porridge For Baby’s First Solids.
Now that you have several balls of rolled up corn dough in your freezer, how do you prepare the porridge? Easy.
Take out a single ball and place in one of baby’s eating bowl. Add half-cup of water to defrost and melt down the dough. Avoid using a microwave to defrost.
Once dough melts down in about 10-15minutes, strain the corn into another bowl using a fine mesh strainer. As this is baby’s first solids, you want the Koko to be light and not too heavy in his/her stomach thus straining will remove a bit of the chaff for easier digestion. However as baby gets older from 7months you can stop straining.
Strain twice.
4. Pour the liquid into a cooking pot, add a tiny pinch of salt and stir over medium-heat.
5. Stir through until the mixture thickens and add in a bit of water.
6. Allow the porridge to happily boil.
7. Take off the stove and pour 2-3 tablespoons into baby’s eating bowl.
8. Add 2-4 tablespoons of breastmilk or formula to porridge.
9. Feed the little one with baby’s spoon a little at a time.
Ensure the Koko isn’t too light. It must be thick enough that when spooned it stays in the spoon and doesn’t drip off.
I read that baby usually eats what you eat during your pregnancy and I must admit, I did eat a lot of varying things, corn porridge being a personal favourite. Perhaps that’s why she loves it too. During her first solids, I held her in my arms to feed her but that was difficult in the beginning because she was close to my breasts which she often screamed for whilst I tried to give her the porridge. What a drama queen 😅. So I bought a booster seat and thankfully no more screaming now.
Can I Spice The Koko?
Essi turned 8 months recently and I have been gradually introducing flavourings to her food. I broke in one hwentia into her corn porridge and earlier this morning, I added vanilla essence to her rice pudding. I would say a little at a time should do it so as to make baby used to spices and flavourings.
Benefits of Corn Porridge
Fermented corn has health benefits which our mothers haven’t shared with us. It contains probiotics which are beneficial microbes for our guts and baby’s guts too. So allowing corn to ferment enhances the growth of probiotics. According to this article by Harvard Health, probiotics helps prevent tooth decay, prevents irritable bowl syndrome (IBS) etc . For baby’s first solids, avoid over-fermenting the corn. a day and half , at most two days is sufficient.
Did you give baby corn porridge as their first solids or not? If not, what did you go with? If you already are, how has baby taken to corn porridge? Do share your tips in the comments section, I would love to read them.
