Ah, papaya. This is a fruit that I love introducing to kids of all ages. Whenever I get the opportunity I try to give this fruit to babies.
Papaya is a good source of beta carotene, vitamin C, folate, potassium and fibre. Papaya fruit also contains papain, which helps digest protein. Fibre is important for all ages and can be very helpful for your little one when you are introducing solids. As previously mentioned in this starting solid series, giving your baby foods that are high in Vitamin C will help them absorb iron from their foods.
It’s important to offer the same foods in different forms. When we offered papaya to this baby we used forms such as fries and cubes of varying sizes.
This fruit can be tricky to eat. Just let your baby work away at it themselves in whatever manner works for them. This baby tried the gamut of ways to get it into his mouth. At one point he was bringing his mouth down to the tray, he also tried using his palm to scoop up the pieces and then hold it against his mouth to eat it. Part of learning to eat solids is the baby learning about their world. Often babies will pick up fruit (like papaya in this case) and squeeze it between their fingers, allowing the juice to run down their hands and arms. If they aren’t getting it into their mouths right away don’t worry. This is still a great learning experience for them.
Have questions about your little one starting solid food? Contact Jill, Nurture The Future’s Registered Dietitian at nf.nutrition@gmail.com
Papaya is a good source of beta carotene, vitamin C, folate, potassium and fibre. Papaya fruit also contains papain, which helps digest protein. Fibre is important for all ages and can be very helpful for your little one when you are introducing solids. As previously mentioned in this starting solid series, giving your baby foods that are high in Vitamin C will help them absorb iron from their foods.
It’s important to offer the same foods in different forms. When we offered papaya to this baby we used forms such as fries and cubes of varying sizes.
This fruit can be tricky to eat. Just let your baby work away at it themselves in whatever manner works for them. This baby tried the gamut of ways to get it into his mouth. At one point he was bringing his mouth down to the tray, he also tried using his palm to scoop up the pieces and then hold it against his mouth to eat it. Part of learning to eat solids is the baby learning about their world. Often babies will pick up fruit (like papaya in this case) and squeeze it between their fingers, allowing the juice to run down their hands and arms. If they aren’t getting it into their mouths right away don’t worry. This is still a great learning experience for them.
Have questions about your little one starting solid food? Contact Jill, Nurture The Future’s Registered Dietitian at nf.nutrition@gmail.com
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