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  • How to Introduce Oranges

Baby Led Weaning

01 Mar

How to Introduce Oranges

  • By Ms. Dawn
  • In Baby Led Weaning, Picky Eater Tips

Have you ever gotten excited about offering an orange to your child, only for them to refuse to eat it? It might be due to the type of orange you used. Some oranges are too tart, others too sweet, and some are high choking risks for baby. Here are some expert tips on introducing oranges to your baby or toddler.

Navel Orange

For Babies

The taste of a navel orange is very sweet. Don’t worry. Your baby won’t get stuck on sweet flavors if you offer fruits (like oranges) before you offer vegetables. Just switch it up at every meal – fruit for breakfast, veggie for lunch, fruit (or veggie) for dinner. And this is easy to do with a Navel Orange since it’s the most accessible variety for parents to find. It’s widely available at grocery stores, farmer’s markets, and roadside citrus stands.

Texture Tip
Try offering the navel orange as either a puree or strip for your baby. To make a homemade chunky puree, just peel, cut, remove any seeds and blend an orange in a blender (or food processor). To make safe strips for baby (like you see in our picture), just slice oranges into strips about the length and thickness of an adult pinky finger. And be sure to remove the skin, membrane, and seeds. Encourage your baby to place the strip on their gum line, so it’s easy for them to chew with or without teeth.

For Toddlers

The name and shape of the navel orange is so adorable! When I teach toddlers about this type of orange in feeding therapy, I like to show off the “belly button” of the orange – it’s the cutest little navel! Kids love that it has a belly button, and they usually start showing off their belly button too, which of course, leads to tickling, laughter, and then eating!

Texture Tip
Having your toddler peel an orange is a great fine-motor and self-help activity for them! However, consider peeling the orange the first few times you introduce it, so they develop a love for the taste before they practice being independent. I’ve had several kiddos refuse to eat an orange (or any citrus) after being sprayed in the face because the oils of an orange can be painful for a toddler’s eyes. So, it’s essential to introduce your child to the taste of oranges so if they do get sprayed, they won’t lose it from their food repertoire.

Valencia Orange

For Babies

This orange variety has a hint of bitterness as well as sweetness. I like to offer Valencia Oranges to babies because it has that bit of bitter undertone that is more complex, like a vegetable taste. This can really expand and push your baby’s palate!

Texture Tip
You can squeeze the juice from a fresh orange by using a handheld juice squeezer (juice extractor) and add it to a bland puree (oatmeal or cereal) for a pop of new flavor! You can also add the fresh-squeezed juice to a smoothie and place it in the ezpz Tiny Cup too!

For Toddlers

In my clinical experience, this orange is the most difficult for kiddos if they have a history of pocketing, overstuffing, or motor/sensory challenges. These children might have difficulties swallowing multiple textures, increasing their risk of choking because of the amount of pulp and juiciness that comes with this variety.

Texture Tip
To decrease choking risk for toddlers, I slice it with some of the outer skin left on so that kids can hold on to the edge and use their teeth to pull out the juicy goodness. And since the texture of a Valencia Orange is wet and juicy, it’s perfect for teaching kids how to squeeze and make their own orange juice! I have several handheld juicer options in my Amazon Store.

Blood Orange

For Babies

It’s crucial to offer baby various colors or tints of food to decrease picky eating. For example, if you have been offering your baby oranges for a while, chances are they were dark yellow or “orange” color. So, introducing a Blood Orange will provide babies with a new reddish, pink color on their plate!

Texture Tip
For babies 10+ months who have developed their pincer grasp, you can cut an orange into strips (see above) then cut each strip into 2 large diced pieces. As your baby becomes more proficient and does not overstuff, cut each strip into 3-4 smaller diced pieces.

For Toddlers

When I introduce this orange variety to my boys in feeding therapy, they love that the word “blood” is in the name. They usually think it’s the coolest fruit to eat and enjoy showing off its bloody juices! But my female clients are a bit more squeamish about the name, and some have even refused to try it. So, I’ve had more success calling it the “red” orange with them. Then, after she learns to eat and enjoy it, I reintroduce the orange with the appropriate name. I think this is important because I strongly believe that accurate food education will equip our children with the lifelong skill of being adventurous eaters!

Texture Tip
The taste of a blood orange is sweet, and its juice is red, making this fruit perfect for spicing up a toddler’s dessert, salad, waffle, or smoothie.

Mandarins, Tangerines, Clementines (Cuties or Halos)

For Babies

Although these types of oranges are easy to peel and prepare, these varieties are a high choking risk if given to your baby. Given their small size, they are also really difficult for me to cut the membranes off and take out all the seeds. I’m usually left with a mushy mess by the time I’m finished. Instead, you can buy them canned or jarred to make them safer for baby. But remember, slippery foods can also be a choking risk, so be sure to stay with your baby at all times when they are eating.

Texture Tip
Choking causes the death of 1 child every 5 days in the United States. So, if you are unsure how to make food textures safe or are worried about choking, sign up for my Choking and Prevention Course that I taught with Katie Ferraro, MPH, RD, CDE, and Brandon Doerksen. Choking on food is preventable!

For Toddlers

Although you may be eager to give your young toddler these for lunches and snacks, please know that they still can be a choking risk when offered in their whole form with the membrane on. As a result, most feeding therapists like myself wait to offer these varieties until a toddler is 36+ months.

Texture Tip
My Choking and Prevention Course has tips for parents and caregivers on making foods safe for infants, toddlers, and school-age children. Use the code: DAWN10 for 10% off the course!

I hope these tips will help you pick the right orange to introduce to your baby or toddler! What are some ways you add oranges to your child’s mealtime? What is your toddler’s favorite type of orange, and how do you serve it? #MsDawnSLP

Tags:babyfirst foodstoddler
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Ms. Dawn
MsDawnSLP is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. All information found on MsDawnSLP.com is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The information provided on this website is not intended to be a replacement or substitute for professional medical advice.

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