Although kiwis are a tasty and nutritious fruit, parents frequently wonder if it’s okay to start including them in their child’s diet. Kiwi can be very alluring to young children due to its vibrant green color and sweet, tangy flavor, but it’s crucial to know when to offer this fruit to prevent any potential gastrointestinal or allergy issues.
A child’s diet should include many fruits at an early age, but kiwi may be a little different because of its acidity and the possibility of allergic reactions in delicate children. When incorporating this tropical fruit into your child’s diet, it can help to ensure a seamless transition if you are aware of the readiness indicators and proper preparation techniques.
This post will discuss when is the best to introduce kiwi to your child, what allergies to look out for, and how to serve it in a way that makes it fun and safe.
Age | Recommendation |
6-8 months | Introduce in small amounts, check for any allergic reactions |
9-12 months | Gradually increase the amount if no allergies |
1-2 years | Can be given as part of a balanced diet, avoid overfeeding |
3 years and older | Safe to include regularly in meals, monitor for any sensitivities |
- Benefits
- Harm of an exotic fruit for a baby
- A warning for children with allergies
- From what age (months) should it be introduced into the diet?
- Opinion of Komarovsky
- Video on the topic
- Kiwi in complementary feeding: how to safely offer it to a child
- From what age can you give kiwi to a child?
- From what age can you give kiwi to a child
- From what age can you give kiwi to a child: from how many months in complementary feeding
Benefits
- Increase resistance to infections and viruses.
- Improve heart function.
- Eliminate constipation and normalize digestion.
- Strengthen vascular walls.
Kiwi also works wonders in preventing kidney stones and malignant tumors. This fruit can be eaten by those with diabetes because of its low sugar content. Given its abundance of health benefits, kiwis should be included in a child’s diet at the appropriate age and under the appropriate guidelines.
Harm of an exotic fruit for a baby
Kiwi is one of those fruits that needs to be tried very carefully because it is not a fruit that grows in our latitudes.
The fruit is hazardous in the first place because of the possibility of allergies. All pediatricians agree that infants younger than six months should not eat this fruit. Such exotics are best introduced to your child much later. However, children with kidney disease, hypotension, diarrhea, and digestive tract disorders should not receive kiwis, even if you adhere to the time limits recommended by pediatricians.
It’s crucial to take into account a child’s age and level of comfort with new foods when adding kiwis to their diet. The majority of experts advise delaying until the child is between 8 and 10 months old, as this is when they are more able to handle potential allergies and different textures. Although kiwis are high in vitamins and nutrients, they can occasionally trigger allergic reactions or digestive problems, so be cautious when consuming them and keep an eye out for any symptoms of discomfort. Before introducing new fruits to your child, always check with your pediatrician to make sure they are safe for their particular needs.
A warning for children with allergies
According to a 2003 British study, kiwis are extremely harmful to kids who have allergies. This exotic fruit carries a particularly high risk of allergic reaction in young children (under 5 years old).
Eighty of the three hundred participants in the study were children. After tasting kiwis for the first time, two-thirds of the children’s conditions deteriorated. Even three babies were admitted to the hospital.
An allergic reaction to kiwis can cause swelling of the tongue, dermatosis of the pharynx, dyspnea, and in extreme situations, anaphylactic shock. Thankfully, no cases of death were reported. In light of this research, allergists recommend that parents exercise extra caution when adding kiwi to their child’s diet, regarding it as a highly allergenic food.
From what age (months) should it be introduced into the diet?
Kiwi, like other fruits, should not be given to infants younger than six months of age, as we have already mentioned. When a child is between six and twelve months old, the majority of pediatricians advise against giving them kiwi. Small amounts of kiwi can be given to one-year-olds who have not been identified as having a tendency toward allergies. After that, you should watch to see how the baby responds to the fruit.
But if you’re younger than three years old, many doctors advise against consuming this unusual fruit. The recommended amount, if parents choose to take the chance, is one or two fruit slices or 1-2 teaspoons of kiwi puree, no more frequently than once per week, for babies this age.
You can fearlessly introduce your baby to kiwis starting at age 3. Half a fruit is the considered the allowed amount of fruit. After peeling, it can be consumed whole or pureed. Kiwi juice can also be squeezed and combined with other juices. But three-year-olds shouldn’t get too attached to unusual fruit. Give kiwis to kids aged three to five only once every seven days.
Even though doctors permit five-year-old children to consume an entire fruit every day, they still advise against eating it more frequently than once or twice a week.
Kiwi can be used to make natural fruit ice cream. View the recipe in the "Family Kitchen" channel video.
Opinion of Komarovsky
Relative fruit foods should not be given until the child has at least one tooth, according to a well-known pediatrician. This typically occurs around the age of eight months, but even for these infants, Komarovsky advises against introducing an unusual fruit like kiwis to our region—in addition to avocado and mango. Regular apples are the best option for the first fruit feeding, says a well-known physician.
A child’s diet can benefit greatly from kiwis, but it’s crucial to introduce them to them at the appropriate age. It’s usually safe to start at 8 to 10 months, but always consult your pediatrician, particularly if your child has any allergies or sensitivities.
When introducing kiwi to your child, begin with modest portions and watch how they respond. Keep an eye out for any indications of discomfort or allergies, such as rashes or digestive problems. You can gradually increase the portion size if everything goes according to plan.
Keep in mind that each child is unique, so what works for one may not work for another. When it comes to your child’s diet, exercise patience and faith in your judgment. Kiwi has a wealth of nutritional advantages, but as with any new food, it should be introduced gradually and carefully.