When can a baby get a lemon?
Lemons are well known for giving babies a surprising and fun reaction
when they first try them. But are lemons nutritious for a baby?
While lemons are a great source of vitamin C, the acidity of citrus
fruits can be hard on your child's stomach. You should wait to introduce lemons
until your child is one year old so that their digestive system is more mature.
It will also reduce the chance of an allergic reaction.
Introducing your baby to lemon
By the time your child is a year old, they will have tried a ton of new
foods. But this 12-month mark is a game-changer for the introduction of new
products that were once banned.
If your child doesn't like lemons at first, that's okay. It may take
several attempts to introduce a new food to a child before the child begins to
like it. In addition, citrus fruits have a pronounced bitter and sour taste
that takes some getting used to, so offer lemons regularly.
Nutritional benefits of lemon for your baby
Citrus fruits are well known for being high in vitamin C, and lemon is
no exception to this rule. Vitamin C helps your child's immune system fight
disease. Lemons are also a good source of fiber and even contain potassium,
calcium, and protein.
How to prepare lemons for baby
It is important to peel lemons before offering them to a child, as lemon
peels can contain harmful pesticides. After you've peeled the lemon, you can
offer fingertip-sized or mashed pieces of lemon pulp to your child to eat with
a spoon.
Because the taste of lemon on its own can be unpleasant for your baby,
try juicing a variety of foods to enhance their flavor. Using lemon as a
seasoning for other foods is a great way to add new depth of flavor to your
favorite foods. Just make sure your child has tried each product before to make
sure they don't have allergies.
When your child is sick, add some lemon and honey to the water to boost
their immune system. In addition, they are entitled to a sweet juice-like
drink. Just make sure you don't offer honey before 12 months of age, as this
can cause a food poisoning called botulism.
Tips for introducing your child to new foods
Before offering solid food for the first time, ask yourself the
following questions:
- Can my child hold his head on his own? This is an important stage in the development of solid food consumption.
- Is my child interested in food? Your child may watch with interest as you eat, or even try to grab your food and taste it. When you offer them a spoon, they must open their mouths to eat.
- Can my child carry food down his throat? If you offer food with a spoon, the child may first push it with his tongue. This is called the tongue thrust reflex. Over time, they will learn to use their tongue to push food deep into their mouths and swallow.
- Is my child big enough? Your baby must be twice their birth weight and weigh at least 6 kg before they start eating solid food.
Offer variety. When your child
starts eating solid foods, he needs to diversify his diet. This helps ensure
they are getting all the nutrients they need and also helps expand their palate
for new flavors.
Normalize new products. After you've
introduced your child to a new food and made sure he's not allergic to it, try
offering it again at least twice a week. Not only does this introduce your
child to new foods, but it can also help prevent food allergies. Also, when
your child is learning to eat, he is watching you. Be sure to offer them the
same foods as the rest of the family to encourage them.
Think about allergens. By the time your
child is 12 months old, they should be introduced to all common foods that
cause allergies:
- Boiled egg
- Creamy peanut butter
- Cow's milk (dairy product)
- Nuts (such as cashews or marzipan)
- Soya
- Sesame
- Wheat
- Fish and other seafood
By introducing these foods early in your diet, you can reduce your
child's risk of developing food allergies. Introduce only one new food at a
time and wait at least three days before introducing a new one so you can
monitor your child's reaction to the product in case of an allergic reaction.
If you notice that your child is having an allergic reaction, stop giving this food immediately. If the reaction is characterized by swelling of the lips, eyes, or face; hives; or vomiting, contact your pediatrician. If you suspect anaphylaxis, characterized by a swollen tongue or difficulty breathing, call an ambulance immediately.