Watermelon can be introduced to a baby as soon as they are ready to start solids, which is usually around the age of six months.
Before you start introducing solids, there are a few things to consider. Is your baby's mouth big enough to eat a certain food? Is your child chewing his meal fully before swallowing?
Watermelon and other solids should not be introduced too soon for these reasons.
Is watermelon a prevalent cause of choking in children?
Watermelon seeds can cause the risk of aspiration. Purchase a seedless watermelon or remove any seeds before offering it to newborns to reduce the danger.
When a baby is learning to manage both a solid consistency and the juice at the same time, watermelon can cause a lot of coughing and gagging.
If this becomes an issue, serve thinner slices of watermelon or a huge, thick watermelon slice on the rind with much of the fruit removed to be used as a teether by the infant. If you're serving the rind alone, make sure the pieces are at least an inch thick and a couple of inches long.
Always keep an arm's length away from your infant during meals and provide a safe dining environment.
What is the best way to present watermelon to your baby?
Watermelon's smooth texture is easier for beginning diners to gum and finally chew as long as it's ripe enough. As a result, there isn't much prep work required to make it baby-friendly. Slice it into an age-appropriate size and remove the rind for babies under the age of one.
Watermelon's health benefits for babies
Watermelon's nutrients can help your baby in the following ways:
- Vitamin C aids in the fight against infections, boosts the immune system and aids iron absorption.
- Since the fruit is 93 percent water and 7 percent flesh, it aids in hydrating the body. It will keep your baby hydrated, especially in the summer.
- The antioxidant lycopene, which is beneficial to the heart, accumulates in the fruit as it ripens. Carotenoids such as neurosporene, lutein, phytofluene, phytoene, and beta-carotene are also abundant in watermelons. Carotenoids aid in the maintenance of cardiovascular health and the preservation of vision.
Some precautions to be mindful of
It is important to take the following precautions before feeding watermelons to your infant:
- Watermelon should be offered to babies once they have reached the age of 6 to 8 months.
- When providing fruit to babies, the texture is also very important. Watermelon should be given to your baby in bite-sized portions. If your baby refuses to eat the watermelon chunks, mash them up a little.
- If a baby eats watermelon, they may experience allergic reactions such as rashes, diarrhea, vomiting, runny nose, and lightheadedness. Keep an eye out for allergic symptoms.
- Make certain the watermelon you buy from the store is of good quality.