Pineapple is irresistibly sweet (just like your little sweetie), so chances are you won’t have to work too hard at encouraging him to gobble the tropical fruit up. Better still, pineapple can be a perfect early finger food, whether you’re starting off with baby-led weaning or moving on from purées. Here’s the scoop on serving pineapple to babies and toddlers.
When can babies have pineapple?
You can put pineapple on the menu as soon as your baby starts solids, usually around 6 months. If you're spoon-feeding purées, you can serve the fruit in purée form at first, but if you're going the baby-led weaning route (an approach that introduces solids in the form of soft, gummable finger foods) you'll need to do a little bit of prep work to make pineapple safe for early eaters.
How to prepare pineapple for your baby
Pineapple can be on the firmer side, so first and foremost, be sure to cut it into age-appropriate pieces. Long strips are the way to go for new eaters. Inspect the pieces to make sure they don’t contain any of the pineapple’s hard core or spots of the tough outer peel, since both can be choking hazards.
Both fresh and thawed frozen pineapple are equally good choices for your cutie. Canned pineapple isn’t the best option for babies and toddlers, however, since it tends to contain extra sugar. If you do serve a canned variety, stick with pineapple that has been packed in its natural juices instead of syrup. Drain and rinse the fruit well to remove as much extra juice as you can and serve it in small quantities.
What about pineapple juice? The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says juice is not appropriate for babies under 1, who should fill up on breast milk or formula, then solid foods. It’s okay for toddlers over 1 to have small amounts (no more than 4 ounces) of 100 percent fruit juice as an occasional treat, but whole fruit remains a healthier choice.
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The tips below can help parents determine how to serve pineapple at different stages, but keep in mind that all babies develop at their own pace. Speak with your pediatrician before beginning baby-led weaning, and talk to him or her if you have any concerns about your child's oral-motor skills, chewing skills, swallowing skills or if you're unsure whether or not your baby is ready for certain food preparations.
How to prepare pineapple for a 6-month-old
Offer pineapple sliced into wide, thin strips — think the size of your index and middle finger together — for your baby to palm and gum. Even if he can’t quite manage to chew it, he'll love sucking the pineapple’s juices. If the pineapple is slippery, try rolling it in baby cereal to make it more grippable.
How to prepare pineapple for a 9-month-old
As long as your little one has a few teeth, you can start serving thinner, pinky-sized strips for him to pick up and bite.
How to prepare pineapple for a 12-month-old and up
At 1 year old, your new toddler may be ready to handle pineapple cut into small half-inch cubes. He can pick them up with his fingers or practice spearing them with a fork.
Pineapple recipes for babies and toddlers
Your diner will probably happily devour sweet, juicy pineapple all by itself. But there are many ways to pack other dishes with a pineapple punch, too. Just remember to always introduce one food at a time, especially top allergens like eggs, peanuts, soy, wheat, dairy and seafood.
- Roasted pineapple. Bake pineapple slices in the oven or toaster until soft and caramelized. Serve plain or with a squeeze of fresh lime juice for a flavor explosion.
- Roasted pineapple “sundae.” Top plain yogurt with chopped roasted pineapple pieces and a cherry (pitted and quartered).
- Tropical oatmeal. Cook oatmeal with coconut milk and top with fresh diced pineapple and mango.
- Pineapple upside-down pancakes. Core pineapple and slice into rings. Place one ring in the middle of a whole grain pancake while the underside cooks, then flip.
- Nutty pineapple-banana smoothie. Blend banana and pineapple chunks with plain yogurt and a spoonful of cashew butter to make a creamy drink.
- Pineapple-chicken stir-fry. Swap out half the veggies for pineapple in your favorite chicken stir-fry recipe.
- Pineapple fried rice. Throw in some very small cubed pineapple pieces at the same time as the veggies so the flavors have a chance to meld.
What are the benefits of pineapple for babies and toddlers?
First and foremost? Pineapple is packed with vitamin C, which supports immune health and enhances your tot’s absorption of iron. That makes it a tasty treat to serve alongside iron-rich foods like beef, poultry or beans.
The golden fruit is also good for bone health. (Who knew?) Pineapple is rich in manganese, a trace mineral involved in helping your baby or toddler build strong, sturdy bones.
Can babies be allergic to pineapple?
Notice a red rash or hive-like bumps around your little one’s mouth or hands after he eats pineapple? It could be an allergic reaction — but more likely, his skin could just be slightly irritated from the fruit’s acidity.
These types of rashes typically are not harmful, so you probably don’t need to put pineapple on the do-not-eat list if your baby doesn’t seem bothered. But it’s worth bringing it up with the pediatrician, especially if the rash seems to make your little one itchy.
Anecdotally, some parents say that pineapple’s acidity seems to worsen their child's reflux or cause diaper rashes. That’s not necessarily a reason to avoid introducing the fruit. But if you notice that your baby seems uncomfortable or his diaper area is irritated after eating pineapple, consider taking a break until you can talk about his symptoms with the doctor.
As for true pineapple allergies? They aren’t common, but reactions are still possible. Raw pineapple, in particular, can trigger oral allergy syndrome — a condition caused by cross-reaction in allergens found in both pollen and raw fruits and vegetables. It’s more likely in kids over 3, but babies and toddlers can be affected.
It’s always a good idea to be on the lookout for signs of a possible allergic reaction, especially when you’re serving a food for the first time. Your baby or toddler might have a food allergy if, soon after eating (within minutes to a few hours), he experiences:
- Hives
- Itching
- Skin, lip or tongue swelling
- Sneezing
- Wheezing
- Throat tightness or trouble swallowing
- Nausea, vomiting, stomach pain or diarrhea
- Trouble breathing
Call your doctor right away if your child experiences symptoms of an allergic reaction. An allergic reaction may be more severe or possibly life-threatening (called anaphylaxis) if multiple areas of the body are affected. In the rare event that your child shows signs of a life-threatening allergic reaction like trouble breathing or swallowing, call 911 right away.
Is pineapple a choking hazard for babies?
Raw, firm fruits like pineapple can be a choking hazard for babies. Make sure you prepare pineapple safely for your little eater by serving it in an age-appropriate size, removing the hard core and skin, and always offering pineapple that is very ripe and soft.
Make sure, too, to always supervise your young child when he's eating, sit him upright during mealtimes and never serve food while he's reclining, walking, sitting in a car seat or playing.
Pineapple can have a sweet spot on your child's menu early on. Just be sure to pay attention to how you prep and slice it, and stick with fresh or frozen pineapple instead of canned whenever possible. And if you notice the fruit seems to trigger rashes or reflux, check in with the pediatrician to decide about whether to keep serving it.
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