When should children eat citrus fruits?

Citrus fruits are usually healthy because they are rich in vitamins and minerals. But, can your baby eat this fruit? Let's find out.

The baby's body is still not fully developed. In it, the baby's stomach still cannot digest food like an adult. So when you want to feed your baby a new food, you have to take it slowly to get your baby acquainted. Infants need to be exclusively breastfed for the first 4 months of life. After that, you will feed your baby some soft foods that go with breast milk, followed by solid foods. Citrus fruits often make it difficult for babies to digest. Therefore, you should not let your baby eat these fruits when their body is not ready.

When will the baby eat citrus fruits?

Before 1 year, babies only need about 35mg of vitamin C per day. There are many foods rich in vitamin C that can replace citrus fruits such as broccoli , cabbage, spinach, and ripe papaya ... If you are worried that your baby is deficient in vitamin C, give it to your baby. Eat these foods instead of citrus fruits because these fruits are easy to cause allergies for children.

Allergic conditions are common in babies under 1 year old. The symptoms are usually a rash, sneezing ... To avoid allergies, it's best to only feed your baby a small portion in the first few days. Watch your baby carefully for signs of allergy. If your baby has an allergy, stop feeding him immediately.

When your baby is over 1 year old, the risk of allergy decreases. Therefore, you can use these fruits to make baby snacks.

How should I start to feed my baby citrus?

1. Let your baby get acquainted

When your baby is over 1 year old, you can gradually practice feeding your baby. Keep in mind that you should only feed it when your baby is younger than 1 year old because the acids in these fruits are often not good for babies.

2. Watch for signs of allergy

After feeding your baby, see if your baby has any symptoms of allergy . Some common symptoms are rash, swelling in the inside and around the mouth, wheezing, redness, nausea, or vomiting. These symptoms are common in babies younger than 1 year.

3. Cut fruit into small pieces

Cut the fruit into small pieces about the size of a finger. This will help your baby swallow easily, reducing the risk of choking .

4. Wait until your baby is ready

Citric acid citrus fruits often contain citric acid, which makes babies more prone to colic. Symptoms are common in babies with stomach problems. For these babies, you should wait a little bit older before feeding.

Some tips when feeding your baby citrus fruits

1. Wait three days before moving on to another food

When you offer your child a new food, wait at least three days before moving on to something else. This makes it easier for you to control allergy symptoms. In addition to the above symptoms, citrus fruits can also cause reflux .

2. Logging

Take note of what your baby eats and how he reacts afterwards. For example: your baby likes or dislikes, what he eats is allergic ... This is a great way to monitor your baby's diet.

3. Talk to your doctor

If you are still unsure, see your doctor and consult.

Frequently asked questions

1. Why do citrus fruits worry parents?

This is because these fruits contain citric acid. Although this acid is not dangerous, it causes an allergic reaction. Babies who have never had a food allergy are also at risk. However, do not worry, when you feed your baby, you just need to pay attention to observe his symptoms.

2. Which foods can be replaced with citrus fruits?

There are many other foods that can meet your child's daily vitamin C needs. Melons like cantaloupe are also a great source of vitamin C and rarely cause allergies in your baby. Ripe papaya, potatoes, and spinach are some of the alternatives you can consider. The most important thing is to cut the food into small pieces so that your baby doesn't choke.