Custard

[Monnie]

I saw a 'Dessert' thread mentioning custard before, but I don't think anyone mentioned at what age babies are allowed to have it?

Also, can you use custard powder or does that have too much sugar for a 10 month old?

Can you freeze custard and if not, how long can you refrigirate it for? (this question also goes for home-made rice pudding)

Thanks for any responses

If you use Birds custard powder and make it yourself with milk you can put in as much or as little sugar as you like, the powder is only cornflour, salt, flavourings (vanilla in some form) and colour (anatto). I make mine in the microwave, stirring every minute until it has bubbled up the jug. You could make your own using vanilla essence and cornflour if you want to avoid the salt. You should be ok to include this in your baby's diet once he/she is introduced to cow's milk. I've not had great success freezing it (but it never lasts long enough in our house anyway) but you should be able to keep it in the fridge for a couple of days. I never use instant or tinned custard so I can't say about those.

I would imagine that rice pudding would freeze but I don't know if you would get some separation when it thaws. Ground rice/semolina is very easy to make in the microwave (just put it in a bowl with milk, sugar, little butter and cook until it thickens, stirring frequently). Tapioca and sago take a little longer but rice pudding really needs a long bake so it doesn't make it worthwhile making very small amounts unless you are doing something else in the oven anyway.

Lucky baby, I have always loved milk puds and custards.

I agree with PamT but have always preferred to use the custard powder where I can actually see the milk going into the pan than the packets made up with water which my MIL uses but I haven't liked to say anything - seems a bit picky.