How to introduce fruits in baby’s diet?

Fruits are an important part of good nutrition. Different fruits can offer health benefits and guarantee essential vitamins for the baby . In addition, of course, to developing a more diversified palate and improving food acceptance.

Of course, because of the immense variety of flavors and types of fruit that exist, you may wonder when is the best time to start introducing fruit into your baby’s diet .

In this article, we’re going to talk a little bit about when you can start making this introduction and how it’s the right way to offer fruit to your baby so you can get started today.

Minimum age

It is important to keep in mind that no food should replace breast milk received through breastfeeding for the first six months of life . During this period all nutrients are guaranteed by breast milk, making it unnecessary to offer even water.

Therefore, for the first six months, breast milk is the only necessary and recommended source of food for the baby.

When the introduction of solid foods begins, you can start offering your child fruit and other foods. This phase usually starts at 6 months and after all signs of readiness from the baby , indicating that it is ready for the introduction of food.

How to offer?

In the BLW (Baby Led Weaning) approach you must cut the fruit so that it can eat it in pieces (like sticks) or cubes. Let the baby take the fruit in his hand , this arouses curiosity and sharpens the senses. Avoid very hard fruits or those with skin that are more difficult to chew, such as apples.

Another very common way is to give the fruit scraped. Many parents prefer to offer it this way because they feel insecure for fear that the baby will choke on the food in pieces. In the case of fruits such as bananas and avocados, they can be offered mashed. This is certainly the most used method yet.

But whatever format you choose to offer your baby fruit be sure to be around and stay alert . Choking can happen with both chunky food and baby food (and even milk).

What fruits can you offer?

Basically all! Offer different textures and flavors to make a complete experience for your baby. There are no restrictions, but prefer organic strawberries and kiwis . These two fruits normally absorb a lot of pesticides and are the only ones that require some care when purchasing.

In addition, fruits such as oranges can be used as an accompaniment to meals instead of juice. Remember that juices are only recommended after one year of age .

You can offer the ones that are easiest to get in your area and provide as much variety as possible for your child. Fresh fruits are tastier and more nutritious , so look for fruit trees, fairs and markets with a lot of turnover.

How often?

Ideally, you should offer fruit during snack times . This will depend a lot on your routine with the baby. Generally, pediatricians and nutritionists recommend a snack in the morning and one in the afternoon . These meals are ideal for offering fruit. Up to 1 year of age, the fruit is more than enough to satiate the baby in the intervals between main meals.

You can also offer it after lunch or dinner, as a dessert. However, don’t push it. If your child was satisfied with the meal and shows no interest in the fruit, that’s fine.

Provide a complete and varied food introduction including fruit in the baby’s routine from 6 months. Don’t be afraid to offer sour fruit, firmer consistencies… your baby will love trying different foods.

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Dr. Tabriella Perivolaris, Sara's mother and fan of fashion, beauty, motherhood, among others, about the female universe. Since 2018 she has been working as a copywriter, always bringing to her articles a little of her experience and experience as a mother and woman.

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