First foods database
🍊 Blood orange for babies: when and how to serve it
Can babies eat blood oranges? Yes, from about 6 months. Blood oranges have deep red flesh and a berry-like sweetness, and like other citrus fruits they are rich in vitamin C, which helps the body absorb iron from foods such as beans and cereals.
Good source of: Vitamin C, Anthocyanins, Folate
How to serve blood orange by age
6 to 9 months
Remove the peel, pith and pips, then cut each segment open and offer the soft flesh, or offer whole segments with the membrane removed. Another option is a large wedge with peel on that your baby can suck and munch (stay close).
9 to 12 months
Offer small pieces of segment with membrane removed, so your baby can practise the pincer grip. Squeeze a little juice over cooked vegetables or into yoghurt.
12 months and up
Offer peeled segments cut into bite-sized pieces. Toddlers enjoy helping to peel. Blood orange is lovely in fruit salads or alongside iron-rich meals.
Choking safety
The tough membrane can be hard for babies to break down, and pips are a choking hazard. Remove pips and membranes, and cut segments into small pieces for younger babies.
Gagging is common and noisy while babies learn to eat. Choking is usually silent. Always stay with your baby while they eat, sitting upright. How to help a choking baby (NHS).
Good to know
- Citrus can cause a mild red rash around the mouth from the acid. This is usually contact irritation, not an allergy.
- Offer whole fruit rather than juice; juice is not needed for babies.
Easy ideas
- Blood orange segments with yoghurt
- Blood orange with lentils and spinach
- Fruit salad with blood orange and banana
Goes well with
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Questions parents ask
Can babies eat blood orange?
Can babies eat blood oranges? Yes, from about 6 months. Blood oranges have deep red flesh and a berry-like sweetness, and like other citrus fruits they are rich in vitamin C, which helps the body absorb iron from foods such as beans and cereals.
Why are blood oranges red?
They contain anthocyanins, the same natural pigments found in berries, which give their flesh a deep red colour.
Can citrus cause nappy rash?
Acidic fruits can sometimes contribute to a sore bottom. If you notice this, offer smaller amounts and protect the skin with a barrier cream.
When are blood oranges in season?
They are a winter fruit, usually from January to March in the UK.
Sources
OBubba gives general information based on UK guidance. It is not medical advice and does not diagnose anything. Every baby is different. If your baby has a known allergy, severe eczema or a medical condition, speak to your doctor or health visitor before starting solids. Learn baby first aid, and in an emergency call your local emergency number (999 in the UK).