Mango

Mango is a difficult food to pick up but that is also why I often use it as one of the earlier foods. Every food that is offered is part of the learning process of how to eat. Although as adults we don’t necessarily think about it, learning to eat solid food is actually a really complicated task.

Even though mango is sweet it also has a bit of a strong flavour, which I also view as a benefit for feeding baby. It is good to provide your baby with lots of different flavours and textures. If you are breastfeeding the baby has already had many of these flavours through the breastmilk.

I usually cut the mango into cubes and then depending on how soon it is given and what texture the baby is able to handle, I mash it slightly with a fork still leaving lumps of it but being sure it is not too stringy to avoid choking. If this texture goes well I stop fork mashing it and just cut it into small pieces. As previously mentioned this is a difficult texture to pick up, however just placing a piece on their tray or the table (depending on where you feed your baby) and letting them work away at catching it, picking it up and bringing it to their mouths can be a great learning opportunity.

This baby had his work cut out for him trying to catch the mango pieces, however after the first taste was brought to his lips he was a fan. He would do whatever it took to get some mango to his mouth and he sucked on his hands trying to get more of this new flavour. 


Not sure where to go next with starting solids with your baby? Contact Jill, Nurture The Future's Registered Dietitian at nf.nutrition@gmail.com 


Watch a video of a baby self feeding mango:

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