First foods database
🍊 Tangerine for babies: when and how to serve it
Can babies eat tangerines? Yes, from about 6 months. Tangerines are sweet, juicy citrus fruits full of vitamin C, and once the pips and membranes are removed they make a refreshing snack or a bright side to an iron-rich meal.
Good source of: Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Folate
How to serve tangerine by age
6 to 9 months
Peel and remove pips. Offer flesh with membranes removed, squashed or cut small, or mix into yoghurt. A small amount alongside a meal with iron-rich food boosts iron absorption.
9 to 12 months
Cut membrane-free segments into small pieces for picking up. Squash segments slightly for easier handling.
12 months and up
Serve segments, halved, once chewing is confident. Always remove pips. Try tangerine with yoghurt or in salads.
Choking safety
Whole segments with tough membranes can be a choking risk. Peel membranes and cut small until your child chews well. Supervise closely as segments can be slippery.
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 mouth or nappy rash.
Easy ideas
- Tangerine pieces in yoghurt
- Tangerine with lentil dal
- Tangerine and banana fruit salad
Goes well with
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Questions parents ask
Can babies eat tangerine?
Can babies eat tangerines? Yes, from about 6 months. Tangerines are sweet, juicy citrus fruits full of vitamin C, and once the pips and membranes are removed they make a refreshing snack or a bright side to an iron-rich meal.
Are tangerine and clementine the same?
They are close cousins and are prepared the same way for babies. Tangerines tend to be slightly tarter and more likely to have pips.
Do I need to remove tangerine pips?
Yes, always remove pips before serving. Most tangerines have a few pips: check every segment.
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).