🎃 Pumpkin Purée for Babies (6–12 Months): Creamy, Comforting & Full of Fall Goodness

two sauces topped with seeds
two sauces topped with seeds

Soft, sweet, and full of fiber — pumpkin is a baby food hero in disguise! Whether you're starting solids in monsoon or fall, this golden veggie is a warm, comforting choice that babies absolutely adore.

Let’s explore how to introduce pumpkin to your baby’s diet, how to prep it, and why it deserves a top spot on your first-foods list!

🍼 When Can Babies Eat Pumpkin?

You can safely introduce pumpkin around 6 months of age, as part of your baby's solid food journey.

  • Mild and easy on the tummy

  • Smooth and creamy when cooked

  • Full of nutrients that support growth and immunity

Like with all new foods, follow the 3-day wait rule.

🎃 Why Pumpkin is a Baby Superfood

Don’t be fooled by how soft and sweet pumpkin tastes — it's nutrient-dense and ideal for your baby’s growing needs.

🌟 Health Benefits of Pumpkin for Babies:

  • Rich in Beta-Carotene → Supports healthy vision

  • High in Fiber → Promotes smooth digestion

  • Vitamin C & E → Boosts immunity

  • Potassium → Supports bone growth and hydration

  • Iron & Folate → Great for brain development

👶 Perfect for babies dealing with constipation or mild colds.

🧑‍🍳 How to Make Pumpkin Purée (Quick & Easy)

👩‍🍳 Ingredients:

  • 1 cup pumpkin cubes (peeled and de-seeded)

🎃 Tip: Use yellow pumpkin or Indian kaddu (avoid bottle gourd or ash gourd).

🛠️Things Required:

  • Knife + Peeler

  • Steamer or saucepan

  • Blender or masher

  • (Optional) Breastmilk/formula to thin

🥣 Method:

  1. Peel, remove seeds, and chop pumpkin into small cubes

  2. Steam or boil until soft (8–10 minutes)

  3. Blend to a smooth purée

  4. Thin with a bit of water, breastmilk, or formula if needed

  5. Let cool before serving

🧊 Freeze leftovers in silicone trays for up to 1 month.

🕒 How Much Pumpkin Should I Feed?

6–8 Months:

  • Start with 1–2 tablespoons

  • Serve once a day as a veggie option

9–12 Months:

  • 3–4 tablespoons

  • Add to porridges, rice mash, or soup

🍽️ Yummy Pumpkin Combo Ideas

  1. Pumpkin + Apple → Mild, sweet & comforting

  2. Pumpkin + Rice → Hearty and filling

  3. Pumpkin + Carrot → Bright orange veggie duo

  4. Pumpkin + Moong Dal → Indian-style baby khichdi

  5. Pumpkin + Pear → Sweet and soft for new eaters

👶 For BLW: Roast soft pumpkin wedges and serve as finger food (8+ months).

⚠️ Tips & Safety Notes

  • Always cook pumpkin until very soft

  • Avoid adding salt or sugar

  • Discard if your pumpkin smells sour or fermented after storage

  • Prefer fresh-cut pumpkin over pre-cut packs

Never feed raw pumpkin to babies under 1 year.

💬 Real Mom Review

“Pumpkin purée was my baby’s comfort food during the teething phase. I mixed it with a spoon of rice and a drop of ghee — worked like magic!”
— Meera, mom of a 9-month-old

📌 Save This Cozy Veggie for Later

Add it to your First Veggies for Baby Pinterest board! 📍🧡

🧡 Final Word: Soft, Soothing, and So Good

Pumpkin purée is like baby’s first “warm hug” meal — rich in taste and nutrients. A must-have for your first-vegetable journey!