So we all know that apples are wonder foods, but when is it safe to give it to your baby for the first time? And how? We dive deep into this!
One of the most popular early solid foods is raw apples. Apples are a good source of fiber, Vitamin C and antioxidants.
Babies can start to eat raw apples at around eight months of age. It is important to make sure that the apple is peeled and cut into small pieces, as babies are still learning how to chew. Parents should also watch their babies to make sure they are not choking on the apple chunks.
Raw apples are one of the top choking dangers for children under the age of three, so make sure to cut them in an age-appropriate manner.
Benefits of Children Eating Apples
They are one of the most popular fruits and for good reason. They are high in a variety of vitamins and fiber, which is ideal for preventing constipation, which is typical when a newborn first begins eating foods.
Apples are also known for their ability to prevent heart disease, lower cholesterol levels, and contain plant components that reduce the risk of cancer.
This implies that feeding your baby on apples and other fruits and vegetables from the start of their weaning journey is a terrific approach to give them the best possible start in life.
Weaning With Apples
When weaning newborns onto solid food, the most typical way is to use purees and mashed form, which make it easier for babies to swallow and digest.
Baby-led weaning is becoming a popular choice among parents because it encourages excellent eating habits and reduces fussiness in babies. However, you will need to prepare apples for babies, at early ages they will not be apple to manage a whole apple.
Finger Foods
Raw apples are a healthy and delicious food for babies to start eating. Parents should make sure that their baby is old enough to eat solid foods, and that they cut the apple into small pieces to avoid choking. Fingers foods is a much better way when babies eat apples rather than apple juice which can be too high in sugary content.
Thinly sliced raw apple is a healthy and safe snack for babies eight months and older. Parents should make sure that the apple is peeled and cut into small pieces, and that they are watching their baby to make sure they are not choking on the chunks.
Allowing your child to choose what they eat and explore the textures and colors of the food is a terrific learning experience for them because they may not have noticed these characteristics if the food had been presented as mush.
Ways to introduce:
- -Sliced or grated apple as part of a mixed fruit bowl
- -Baby Apples sliced dipped in yogurt or peanut butter
- -Mashed boiled apples with cinnamon or other spices
- -Applesauce (either store bought or homemade)
- -Baked apples with cinnamon and raisins
- -Whole apples, cored and seeded, served quartered
Potentially allergenic foods
Apple allergies do exist so it is very important to always keep a food diary when introducing new foods. Only introduce one food at a time every few days and monitor for any allergy symptoms. Allergy symptoms include diaper rash, swelling, rash, vomiting and difficulty breathing.
What should I do if my baby has an allergic reaction to raw apples?
If your baby has an allergic reaction to raw apples, stop serving them and consult with your pediatrician immediately. Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include rash, swelling, vomiting, and difficulty breathing. Although rare, apples can also be a source of food poisoning, so if your child experiences any unusual symptoms after eating them, seek medical help immediately.
How to Serve Apples to Your Baby
There are several methods you can serve apples to your baby. Here are a few different weaning strategies that demonstrate the many different ways you can feed raw apples to your child while still ensuring their safety.
7-8 months +
Raw apple can be fed to your infant grated or cut into paper-thin apple slices at this age. Large chunks represent a significant choking risk at this age and should be avoided.
If you wish to serve them in larger chunks, boiling them until they can be easily punctured with a fork or baking them in the oven is a terrific way to soften them up without losing any of their nutritional value. Boiled apple is a great starter way to introduce apples, they have the lovely sweet taste but none of the apple skins which can cause the risk. Apple puree is lovely with a natural yogurt.
You can then cut them in half, wedge them, or mash them into applesauce. Try blending soft apple chunks into yogurt or adding spices such as cinnamon to give a nice twist if you want to add a diversity of flavors into their diet.
Can 8 month baby eat raw apple?
After 8 months, you can add raw apples (without peel) as puree/mash or grated. This can be given directly or mixed with cereals, porridges, other fruit purees, or any other baby food. After 8 months, you can also give your baby/toddler chopped raw apples as finger food.
How do I give my 8 month old apples?
Cut the apple into finger-sized slices that are large enough for the baby to grasp, with half sticking out the top of their hand.
Bring a pan of water to a boil and steam the apple fingers for 2 minutes, or until the fruit softens but does not collapse.
10 months +
During this stage of growth, your child will become much more energetic, therefore it is critical to keep them sitting and monitor their feeding to avoid mishaps.
Apples can be served in the same ways as before, but with the addition of extra teeth, your child will be able to manage tiny slices of raw apple with or without the skin.
Although many children at this age would spit out the apple skin, it is a terrific method for them to practice their oral-motor skills and use those emerging teeth!
18 months +
Every child is unique, so when you believe your child is ready, start serving them entire apples, making sure to remove the core and seeds beforehand. It can be useful to serve apples quartered for this reason, but it is occasionally safer to give a full apple as this prevents them from chewing off large bits that might present a choking hazard.
After two years they can just eat apples as apples!
How many apples can an 8-month-old eat?
There is no definitive answer to this question as it will vary depending on the size and appetite of your child. Start with a small slice or grated apple and see how they respond. If they are still hungry, give them a bit more. If they have had enough, stop! Feeding babies on demand is always preferable to forcing them to eat more than they want or need.
Remember that too many sugary foods can lead to cavities and other dental problems, so try not to overdo it with the applesauce and baked apples.
How do I soften apples for my baby?
There are a few different ways to soften apples for your baby. You can boil them until they can be easily punctured with a fork or bake them in the oven. These methods will soften them up without losing any of their nutritional value.
Alternatively, you can cut them in half, wedge them, or mash them into applesauce. Try blending soft apple chunks into yogurt or adding spices such as cinnamon to give a nice twist if you want to add a diversity of flavors into their diet. Young babies love apple puree!
Do I have to cook apples to make baby food??
It will be difficult to mash your apple into a smooth blend to serve your child if it is stiff and tough. Cook the apple until it is tender enough to purée, avoiding any tough chewy bits for your child.
Can my toddler eat whole apples?
Every child is unique, so when you believe your child is ready, start serving them entire apples, making sure to remove the core and seeds beforehand. It can be useful to serve apples quartered for this reason, but it is occasionally safer to give a full apple as this prevents them from chewing off large bits that might present a choking hazard. After two years they can just eat apples as apples!
Can babies digest raw apples?
Yes babies can digest raw apples. However, choking hazards for babies and children include raw apples and dry apple bits. Cook apples till tender or slice extremely thinly to reduce the danger of choking. Always keep a baby within an arm’s reach during meals and provide a safe dining environment.
How do I give my 1 year old apples?
Start with applesauce and roasted apples for children, then slice apples into matchsticks and thinly slice over 1 year old.
The paper thin slices of organic apples can gradually get chunkier as your baby develops. Most babies soon learn to eat the chunky thick slices easily.
Take Away
There are many ways to introduce apples into your baby’s diet. You can serve them in the same way as before, but with the addition of extra teeth, they will be able to manage tiny slices of raw apple without or without skin. They’re also great for oral-motor skills and using emerging teeth!
