When can a baby have an orange?

Introducing new foods for your child is an exciting and fun time. You can watch them explore new flavors and textures as they learn to eat.

Oranges may seem like a healthy choice as they are full of vitamin C, but the acidity of the fruit can be bad for your baby's digestion and can cause an allergic reaction. To avoid a bad reaction, you should wait up to a year for your child's digestive system to mature.

Introducing your baby to oranges

By the time your child is a year old, he may seem like an old pro at trying new foods. Or maybe they've learned to be wary of new foods that taste different from what they're used to. Either way, have fun introducing a new food category to your child's diet!

Oranges should be peeled before eating, and the membrane left around individual slices can remain tough even after the peel is removed. You can start with canned tangerines as the outer shell is softer and more palatable. Just make sure the canned fruit doesn't contain added sugar.

If your child doesn't like oranges at first, keep offering them regularly. You may have to introduce a new food several times before your child likes it. Citrus fruits have a pronounced taste, which sometimes takes some getting used to.

The nutritional value of oranges for your baby

Oranges are well known for being high in vitamin C, which helps boost your immune system. But oranges also contain other nutrients such as potassium, folic acid, and thiamine. In addition, oranges are high in water content, so they help your child stay hydrated.

How to prepare oranges for your baby

The first time your child eats an orange, cut into pieces the size of your child's fingertip so they don't choke. Gradually cut off larger pieces as your child grows. If an orange is too sour at first, try mixing it with other foods, such as yogurt. This helps reduce the acidity as your baby adjusts to a whole new taste.

You may be tempted to offer your child orange juice, but be sure to check labels for added sugar. You should not give juice to children under one year of age, and even if your child is quite old, make sure you only give 100% fruit juice.

Tips for introducing your baby 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 a spoon to a child, he must open his mouth 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.

Offer variety. When your child starts eating solid foods, he needs to diversify his diet. This helps ensure your baby is 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 prevent food allergies from developing. 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 allergenic foods:

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.