We all know that breast milk is essential for every child. It provides nutrition to their little bodies and even helps build their immune system. But when they turn 6 months old, their diet should become more diverse.
It is only then that we talk about introducing juices into the child’s diet, but even then pediatricians do not recommend giving juice to babies often because it adds calories without the balanced nutrition found in formula and breast milk. It is also recommended to dilute the juices with water at first, so they are easier on the baby’s stomach.
Easier to Digest and Full of Vitamins and Minerals
Moms are already well aware that pediatricians advise introducing fruit into the baby’s diet from the fifth or sixth month, although there are opinions that juices should not be introduced before the first year of life. Whatever you decide (with the advice of your pediatrician), the usual order is to first give the baby juices, followed by fruit purees, with the recommendation to introduce one type of fruit at a time to gradually get the baby used to new flavors. Also, it is best to first give babies local fruits such as apples, peaches, plums, and pears.
Exotic Flavors for Your Little One
But what about exotic fruits and when is the right time for your little one to try new, unusual tropical fruit flavors? Pediatricians recommend offering these true vitamin “bombs” in the form of fruit to the child only after the eighth month. Tropical fruits are full of vitamins, minerals, and fiber, and also contain a lot of water, making them a refreshing snack that your child will enjoy.
Banana is one of the easiest fruits to digest, and pediatricians recommend giving it to children right after apples. They are highly nutritious, containing potassium and fiber that help normalize bowel function, and are rich in vitamin B6, vitamin C, and vitamin B2. This fruit has high energy quality due to its excellent combination of proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. If given more than twice a week, it can lead to constipation in babies.
Mango is rich in vitamins A, B, and C, low in calories and fat, but has a high percentage of fiber that positively affects digestion. It is a good source of iron and antioxidants, as well as proteins necessary for your baby’s growth.
Papaya is introduced into the baby’s diet after bananas, avocados, and sweet potatoes, and like bananas, it is an extremely easily digestible food that babies tolerate well. It is rich in antioxidants, vitamins A, B, and C, magnesium, iron, calcium, and potassium.
Citrus fruits are introduced a bit later, around the first year, and are rich in vitamin C and B vitamins, as well as phosphorus, calcium, iron, nutrients, and protective fibers.
Where to Get Quality and Safe Exotic Fruits?
When you decide it’s time for tropical fruits, the question arises of how to ensure their quality. In well-stocked stores, it is possible to find quality tropical fruits, just check to make sure they are safe and clean before giving them to your child. It is recommended for moms to look for them in ready-made, packaged fruit purees – apple, mango, papaya, and banana.
These purees are produced according to the highest European standards, without additives and preservatives, with a carefully created blend of natural, selected fruits. By consuming them, you will introduce a high-quality fruit snack into your child’s diet. Moms also have at their disposal other, well-known fruit flavors such as apple, pear, banana, peach, melon, as well as mixes that combine different fruits.
Soon, we’ll have nice weather and the opportunity to spend time in nature with our little ones. Whether you choose fruit from our region or unusual flavors of tropical fruit, be sure that your baby is getting sufficient amounts of vitamins and minerals through healthy fruit snacks that you can easily take with you everywhere.
