Babies can eat pieces of oranges, along with other finger foods, around 8 to 10 months old – once they’ve developed the pincer grasp and are able to pick up pieces of food between their thumb and first finger. Other citrus fruits, such as grapefruit and tangerines, are also fine to give to your baby (though babies may not like the taste of grapefruit).
Since citrus is acidic, too much could worsen gastroesophageal reflux or cause diaper rash – if that happens when you give your baby orange pieces, cut back on their citrus.
Are oranges healthy for babies?
Oranges and other citrus fruits are full of vitamin C, so they’re a great food for your little one. Experts recommend babies up to a year old get 40 to 50 milligrams of vitamin C daily, and an orange has almost 60 milligrams of vitamin C on average.
Vitamin C has a lot of important functions in the body: It helps the immune system function properly; supports iron absorption; and aids in making collagen, which plays a part in wound healing. Vitamin C is also an antioxidant and can help protect your body from cardiovascular disease, inflammatory disorders, and some types of cancer.
Can babies be allergic to oranges?
Oranges and citrus fruits aren’t one of the top allergenic foods for children. But since any food can cause an allergy, it’s good to be aware of signs of food allergies. When introducing a new food, experts recommend giving it to your baby at home, rather than at daycare or a restaurant. Serve it for three to five days before offering something else new and give it during the morning; that way you can monitor your baby for a reaction and know what’s likely causing it.
Signs of a food allergy are facial swelling (including the tongue and lips), skin rash, hives, wheezing, vomiting, and diarrhea. If your baby has symptoms in multiple parts of their body (anaphylaxis) or has trouble breathing right after trying a new food, call emergency number or go to emergency room.
How to serve oranges to your baby
When your baby is first starting to eat finger foods, cut oranges into bite-size pieces (no bigger than 1/2 inch) for them. Small mandarin oranges are a great baby food, but you’ll probably need to cut the slices in half to make them small enough for your baby to comfortably chew. Larger pieces may seem soft and easy to eat, but they’re slippery and can inadvertently slide down your baby’s throat and cause choking.
If you notice your baby has a hard time chewing the pith or membrane of the orange, peel or cut off as much as you can before serving it to them.
There are many ways you can prepare oranges for your baby. They may like to have orange pieces mixed along other soft fruits (like berries and bananas in small pieces) in a colorful fruit salad. You could blend oranges into a smoothie with other fruits and vegetables for your little one to drink. Oranges are also great alongside other finger foods, like crackers and cheese.
How to Prepare Oranges for Your Baby
The first time your baby eats orange, cut the pieces up to be about the size of your baby’s fingertip to prevent choking. Gradually cut the pieces bigger as your baby grows. If the orange is too acidic at first, try mixing it with other foods like yogurt. This helps cut the acidity as your baby adjusts to a very new taste.
You may be tempted to offer your baby orange juice, but be sure to check nutrition labels for added sugar. You shouldn’t give juice to babies under one year old, and even if your baby is old enough, make sure to only give them 100% fruit juice.
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