Can babies have dragonfruit? Find out how to safely serve this brightly colored fruit to babies in this guide to dragonfruit (pitaya) for baby led weaning.
Dragonfruit, also known as pitaya or strawberry pear, is a tropical fruit with a thick, bright pink or yellow skin and soft, seedy flesh. The fruit can taste anywhere from mild to very sweet. If this fruit is unknown to you, you can taste it for the first time alongside your little one with these tips for safely serving dragonfruit using a baby led weaning approach.
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Can Babies Have Dragonfruit?
Babies can have dragonfruit as soon as they are developmentally ready for solids, around 6 months of age. The fruit should be ripe enough that it is soft, and should be served in a safe, appropriate shape.
How To Serve Dragonfruit for Baby Led Weaning
Before serving, make sure the dragonfruit is soft enough to mash between your thumb and index finger, which means baby will be able to mash it between his gums.
6+ months: Spears or sticks
When baby is very young and uses a palmar grasp to pick up foods, peeled spears or sticks the length and width of 1-2 adult fingers are easiest for baby to pick up and hold onto while munching on the end.
6+ months: Very thin half moons
Another option for babies 6-9 months old is to cut the dragonfruit into very thin half-moons with the skin still on. The skin will help baby grip the fruit while he sucks the fruit from it.
9+ months: Bite size pieces
Once baby has a pincer grasp, you can cut dragonfruit into small pieces the size of your fingernail for baby to pick up between two fingers. If you'd like, you can offer a fork for utensil practice. You can also continue offering sticks at this age.
Tip! To choose a ripe dragonfruit, look for one that is bright red in color, not green. It should be free from bruises, and soft when squeezed but not mushy, similar to a mango.
How To Cut Dragonfruit
If you've never cut a dragonfruit before, it can seem intimidating, but it's actually very easy!
- Wash the pitaya and cut off both ends to reveal the flesh inside.
- Cut in half from top to bottom.
- Peel the skin from each half. It should peel off easily.
- Cut into sticks or other shapes.
Dragonfruit Benefits for Babies
Dragonfruit is high in fiber, which is good for baby's digestion and gut health. The fruit contains several vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, vitamin K, potassium, magnesium and iron.1 It also contains several beneficial bioactive compounds that act as antioxidants and have been linked to cancer prevention, such as cartoenoids, betalains, and polyphenols.2
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FAQ
No, as long as it is ripe and cut into a safe shape, dragonfruit is not a big choking risk. You should supervise closely anytime baby is eating any food.
No, dragonfruit is not a common allergen, though people with Oral Allergy Syndrome may have a brief skin reaction.
No, it does not need to be cooked. Just make sure it is ripe and soft!
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