Mother’s milk is the prime source of nutrition for an infant in the initial six months. If you are planning for your baby’s weaning diet, you may be keen on including vitamin-rich fruits like oranges for babies. However, as you continue to breastfeed, you may have to begin solid diets for your baby at this time. This way, you can have your baby explore new tastes and various food textures. However, before adding fruits like oranges to your baby’s diet, you might want to understand the safety aspects of it. Read on as we discuss the possible reactions, health benefits, age-appropriate ways to include oranges in your baby’s diet, and some interesting yet easy recipes with oranges.
When Can Babies Eat Oranges?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)observes that foods need not be delayed because they are typically allergenic, especially to babies who have no known risks of allergy or sensitivity (1). So, if you want to introduce citrus foods earlier than 12 months, you may do so but do watch for any reactions. Start with moderate amounts and wait for three to five days between introducing any two new foods. This will help in identifying the cause of allergies if any. However, if your baby has previously shown sensitivity to other acidic foods, wait for them to complete one year before you give oranges.
Reaction To Acidic Foods
If your baby is sensitive to acidic foods, orange might provoke rashes in babies younger than 12 months of age. The high acidic levels could result in diaper rashes and rashes around the mouth and lips. Other possible outcomes of an allergic reaction could be hives, vomiting, wheezing, swelling, breathing troubles, watery eyes, diarrhea, or nausea. These symptoms may show up within two hours after eating the fruit. If you see any, seek medical attention. It is advisable to consult a pediatrician before offering any new food to the baby. Sensitivity to citric acid: Babies are usually not sensitive to citric acid after they cross 12 months. Ascorbic acid is vitamin C, and you will seldom find anyone with an allergy or severe sensitivity to vitamin C.
Health Benefits Of Oranges For Babies
Oranges are not just rich in vitamin C but also contain other vitamins and minerals. One orange contains approximately 12% of the RDA for fiber.
Value per 100 grams
Source: USDA (2) By evaluating the nutritive composition of the orange, we can deduce the following:
How To Serve Oranges To Babies?
You may serve the fruit in small slices instead of making a puree. Peel, section the orange, cut into pieces and de-seed. Peel off the membranes that cover the pulp bulbs and serve the bulbs to the baby. Cut them into bite-size pieces so that they don’t slip into the little one’s throat and choke them. Feed fresh and sweet oranges. Check the condition of the fruit and avoid it if you find some soft spots. Packaged orange juice or pulp might contain preservatives and added sugar. Also, the process of packaging reduces the nutrition in the juice. Therefore, make the juice at home and offer them fresh to your little one. Try to feed the juice as soon as it is prepared to avoid its oxidation. Give it in the baby’s favorite sipper to make it more interesting. You may also mix the orange pulp with other fruits and vegetables such as blueberries, avocado, cranberries, peaches, sweet potato, yogurt, and chicken. We’ll tell you how, in the next section.
Simple Orange Recipes For Babies
1. Orange Yogurt Pops
Preparation time: 10 minutes You will need:
1 orange (peeled, de-seeded) 1 cup yogurt
How to:
2. Orange Juicy Carrots
Preparation time: 15 minutes You will need:
1/2 pound carrots (peeled and diced) 1/4 cup orange juice 1 cup water
How to:
3. Orange Baby Sherbet
Preparation time: 90 minutes You will need:
1 orange (peeled, de-seeded, cut) 1 cup apple juice
How to:
4. Orange Banana Mash
Preparation time: 20 minutes You will need:
1 banana (sliced) 4tbsp orange juice 2tsp apple juice (unsweetened) 1tbsp olive oil
How to:
5. Baby Orange Julius
Preparation time: 5 minutes You will need:
1/4 cup orange juice 1/4 cup apple juice (unsweetened) 1/2 cup breast milk or baby formula 1tsp vanilla A pinch of cinnamon
How to:
6. Orange Dahl
Preparation time: 30 minutes You will need:
1/2 cup lentils 1/4 cup orange juice 1 1/4 cup water cinnamon
How to:
7. Yogurt With Mandarin Oranges For Babies
Preparation time: 5 minutes You will need:
1 cup yogurt 1/2 cup mandarin oranges (sliced) 1tbsp honey (optional)
How to: Note: Mandarin is a small citrus tree with fruit resembling oranges.
8. Cranberry-Orange Smoothie
Preparation time: 7 minutes You will need:
1 cup cranberry juice (with pulp) 1 cup orange juice (with pulp) A cup of milk
How to:
9. Carrot Orange Puree Baby Food
Preparation time: 10 minutes You will need:
1tbsp orange juice ½ cup carrots (peeled, chopped) Cinnamon
How to: Give oranges as fruit or churn out a yummy recipe from them. Either way, your baby is most likely to like the fruit.
It is better to give your baby whole oranges than juice as the latter affects the enamel of the milk teeth. Also, as the pulp is lost from the fruit, several nutrients are lost.
