How to make cantaloupe baby food

Cantaloupe for Baby (and Big Kids)

Learn safe ways to serve cantaloupe to a baby (and to toddlers) with this easy guide. With tips on how to cut cantaloupe easily, which shapes are easiest to eat, and how to choose a ripe cantaloupe.

Cantaloupe for Baby

A ripe cantaloupe is one of my family’s very favorite fruits. My kids even have a phrase for a really good one: “Cantaloupe heaven”. This fruit, which is a great source of hydration and Vitamin C, is a delicious side dish or snack to share with the kids from soon after they start solids.

Because many cantaloupes (and honeydew) can be a little firm, there are some basic guidelines to keep in mind when preparing them for a baby and toddler.

Below, I’ll share how to choose a cantaloupe, how to remove the skin and seeds, a few easy ways to cut them, and how to make a simple cantaloupe puree.

This info works for kids of all ages (and parents!) and is handy to save for peak melon season.

How to Choose a Cantaloupe

When choosing a cantaloupe, regardless of the variety, you want it to feel heavy for its size (which indicates a lot of juice), to have a slight give when you press on the base where the stem was removed, and to smell like a fragrant melon.

If a melon is rock hard and has no fragrance, it is less likely to have delicious flavor. If a melon is really soft and gives a lot when you touch it, it is likely overripe.

The skin of a cantaloupe should be fairly uniform, but sometimes there is slight discoloration on the spot it was sitting on the ground, which is fine.

How to Cut Cantaloupe Step-by-Step

This is how I prefer to cut a melon like a cantaloupe to share with the kids.

Use a knife to cut the melon in half. This exposes the seeds. Use a spoon to remove the seeds and discard.
Use a small knife to remove the skin. I hold the melon cut side down in one hand and use the other hand to gently remove the skin working around in a circle. You can also place the melon cut-side-down on the counter and remove the skin.
Cut the half in half, then into slices.
Or, you can use a melon baller to make round shapes for older kids. (You don’t have to peel it to use this method, though know it’s often hard to get all of the melon off the skin with a melon baller.

From there, you can slice the cantaloupe into matchsticks or into small diced pieces as you like.

Can a baby eat cantaloupe?

Yes, here’s how I prefer to offer this type of melon to kids according to their age:

6 months: Offer a large slice for baby baby-led weaning style. Make sure it’s ripe and not firm, to reduce the risk of choking. You can also blend fresh cantaloupe into a simple puree.
9 months: Offer small diced pieces as a finger food. (Again, make sure the melon is ripe and very soft.)
12+ months: Offer matchstick shape pieces of cantaloupe.
18+ months: Offer thicker slices for the toddler to take bites from.

How do I prepare cantaloupe for my baby?

You can offer a thick slice, cut it into small pieces, or puree it into a sort of juice, depending on the age of the child and your preference.

How do I give my 7-month-old melon?

For this age, you can offer a large slice for baby to gnaw on baby-led weaning. Make sure it’s ripe and not too firm, which reduces the risk of choking.

You can also blend fresh, ripe cantaloupe into a simple puree by adding pieces to a blender and blending smooth. Then you can offer it on a baby spoon or in a reusable pouch.

Can babies eat pureed cantaloupe?

Sure, pureeing ripe cantaloupe is an easy baby food option that can be served with a spoon or in a reusable pouch.

Best Tips for Success

Be sure to start with a ripe, soft melon to reduce the risk of choking.
Look for a melon that gives slightly at the base and smells fragrant.
Offer cantaloupe to a 6-month-old baby as either a thick slice for baby-led weaning or as a puree.
Offer cantaloupe to a 9-month-old baby, as long as the melon is very ripe and soft, diced into very small pieces.
Offer it as matchstick-size pieces to a 12+ month baby, as long as the melon is very ripe and soft.
Offer larger pieces, again as long as soft and ripe, to toddlers 18+ months.
Save melon balls for older kids to reduce the risk of choking. They are a fun option for kids over about age 3 or 4.
You can add fresh chunks of cantaloupe to a blender and blend smooth to make a fresh puree.

Related Recipes

I’d love to hear your feedback on this post, so please comment and rate it below!

Prep Time 5 minutes

Total Time 5 minutes

Author Amy Palanjian

Cuisine American

Course Snack

Calories 23kcal

Servings 8

▢ 1 cantaloupe

Cantaloupe Puree

Cut the melon in half. Scoop out the seeds with a spoon and discard .Use a knife to remove the skin. Roughly chop at least 2 cups of the melon. (You can eat the rest yourself or store it in the fridge for future use.) Add melon to a blender and blend smooth. Serve with a spoon or in a reusable pouch.

Sliced and Diced Cantaloupe

Cut the melon in half. Scoop out the seeds with a spoon and discard. Use a knife to remove the skin. 6+ months: Serve a large slice for baby-led weaning. 9+ months: Serve the fruit diced very small. 12+ months: Serve cut into thin matchsticks. 18+ months: Serve as thicker slices.

Storage Containers
Reusable Pouch

Be sure to start with a ripe, soft melon to reduce the risk of choking.
Look for a melon that gives slightly at the base and smells fragrant.
Offer cantaloupe to a 6-month-old baby as either a thick slice for baby-led weaning or as a puree.
Offer cantaloupe to a 9-month-old baby diced into very small pieces, as long as the melon is very ripe and soft.
Offer it to a 12+ month baby, as long as the melon is very ripe and soft, as matchstick pieces.
Offer larger pieces, again as long as soft and ripe, to toddlers 18+ months.
You can add fresh chunks of cantaloupe to a blender and blend smooth to make a fresh puree.
Store leftover melon or puree in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Serving: 0.25cup, Calories: 23kcal, Carbohydrates: 6g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 21mg, Potassium: 108mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 5g, Vitamin A: 2334IU, Vitamin C: 8mg, Calcium: 6mg, Iron: 1mg

Tried this recipe?Rate in the comments and tag @yummytoddlerfood on IG!

How to Serve Cantaloupe to Baby

Learn how to prepare cantaloupe for your baby in 8 delicious and easy ways! As a deliciously sweet fruit, Cantaloupe and all other melons, can be served to babies 6 months and up. Serve them as a baby food puree, as a solid for the finger food stage or for baby-led weaning.

Medically reviewed and co-written by Jamie Johnson, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), and Lauren Braaten, Pediatric Occupational Therapist (OT).

Cantaloupe for Baby

Looking to serve cantaloupe 🍈 to your baby, but not sure how?

Then this guide is for you!

In this guide, we will go over all the information you need in order to serve cantaloupe to your baby as a puree, as a finger food, or for baby-led weaning. Below you will learn the benefits of cantaloupe for our baby, FAQs, how to select and store cantaloupe, as well as 8 delicious and easy recipes for you to try.

First time making homemade baby food? Then, I would suggest that you start by reading my very in-depth Guide on how to Make Homemade Baby Food – which goes over all the important information such as the best cooking tools to have on hand, safe storage, how to know when baby is ready for solids, how to introduce purees, the best first foods for baby, and more! If you are doing Baby-Led Weaning, then be sure to check out my Complete Guide to Baby-Led Weaning – which covers what exactly is baby-led weaning, to every parent’s concern of baby-led weaning and choking, this guide goes over it all. I will also share how to know when baby is ready for BLW, the top 10 best first foods, a helpful sample blw feeding schedule, helpful tools to have on hand, and much much more!

Want more information? Then make sure to check out my best-selling cookbook for even more information and recipes!

Cantaloupe for Baby Video

Watch this video to get some ideas on how to serve melon to your baby!

Reasons to Love Cantaloupe for Baby

delicious baby food purees – 6+ months
great for baby-led weaning – 6+ months
also great for the finger food stage – 9+ months
full of essential nutrients for baby
different ways for baby to eat – spoon-fed or self-feed
easy to make – no cooking required
recipes are great for Honeydew, Cantaloupe and other varieties of melons

Nutritional Benefits of Cantaloupe

Melons are filled with a wide variety of nutrients for your baby;

Contain potassium, an important electrolyte for maintaining fluid balance, muscle contractions and normal heartbeat.
High in vitamin C, which supports the immune system and helps with iron absorption.
Cantaloupe is an excellent source of vitamin A, which is necessary for healthy eyes and skin.
High water content helps keep your baby hydrated and relieves constipation.

How to Pick a Ripe Cantaloupe

Here’s how to pick a cantaloupe that’s perfectly ripe and ready to enjoy:

Weight: pick up the melon and hold it in your hands. If it feels heavy for its size, you have a cantaloupe that’s close to ripe.
Touch: a ripe cantaloupe should have the right level of firmness. It shouldn’t be as hard as a watermelon, although too soft and it may be past its prime.
Color: if the rind on your cantaloupe has a greenish hue, it likely needs a couple more days to ripen fully. But if the rind has a beige, pale yellow hue, it’s likely ripe and ready for eating.
Sound: give the melon a little shake. If it’s ripe, you should hear all those little seeds making a rattle.
Scent: give it a quick sniff. Ripe cantaloupes should have a sweet, musky smell. If you don’t smell anything, it’s likely not ripe yet.

How to Store a Melon: You can store uncut, whole cantaloupe at room temperature for a couple of days. If you aren’t ready to cut your cantaloupe, you can store it in the fridge for about 5 days. If your cantaloupe isn’t ripe enough, you can keep it in a closed paper bag to accelerate the process.

Frequently Asked Questions

When can I introduce melon to my baby?

Whether you’re starting your baby on purees or are doing baby-led weaning, cantaloupe is a refreshing and enjoyable first food for your baby! When a baby can start on solids is determined by their own rate of development, which generally comes between 4-6 months of age for purees and or after 6 months for baby-led weaning. Some of the developmental milestones your baby needs to reach in order to start on solids include: if your baby has solid control of their head and neck, if your baby has doubled in weight, and if your baby is reaching for or opening their mouth when you eat (see my guide here). Before you start your baby’s feeding journey, you should consult with your pediatrician to make sure your child is developmentally ready.

Is melon a choking hazard?

Yes, melon can be a choking hazard, especially when served in the form of melon balls. Always serve melon in an age-appropriate way.

Is melon a common allergen?

No, melon is not a common allergen; however, as with all foods, start with a small portion and be aware of any signs that may be an allergic reaction after introducing it.

Does melon cause constipation for babies?

Melon does not usually cause constipation in babies. In fact, due to its high water content, it can actually help relieve constipation.

Types of Melons

There are actually many different types of melons, including Winter Melon, Banana Melon, Canary Melon, and Galia Melon but the most common ones in the States are:

Watermelon
Honeydew
Cantaloupe

Tools Needed

These tools will make it a lot easier for you to serve melon to your baby. For more of my favorite kitchen tools, make sure to check out my shop.

Blender or Food Processor
Storage Containers for Fridge
highchair
bib with catch pocket
Baby Bowls
Suction Baby Plates
Baby Spoons
Freezer Storage Tray
Gootensil
Saucepan
Baking Sheet

How to Serve Melon to Baby

There are several different ways to prepare melon for your baby! You can make it into a smooth puree, a combination puree, a chunky puree for stage three, mashed and spread on toast or whole for baby-led weaning or a finger food. Here are 8 of my favorite ways to serve cantaloupe to baby:

Stage One Puree

Basic Cantaloupe Puree

Stage Two Puree

Cantaloupe Banana Yogurt Puree
Cantaloupe Cauliflower Mint Puree

Stage Three Purees

Chunky Cantaloupe Tofu Puree with Mint

Baby-Led Weaning or Finger Foods

Cantaloupe for Baby-Led Weaning or Finger Foods: thin strips, cut into small pieces or in a small wedge.
Chunky Cantaloupe Tofu Puree with Mint
Cantaloupe Lemon Popsicles for Baby
Cantaloupe Smoothie

Basic Cantaloupe Puree

This simple, yet delicious stage one puree takes all of 60 seconds to make!

Instructions (for the full recipe, see recipe card below): blend ripe pieces of cantaloupe until smooth, pour into a bowl and serve. Due to cantaloupes’ high water content, this puree will be on the thinner side.

More Ways to Serve: you can serve this Basic Cantaloupe Puree with yogurt, mixed with apple, pear, or sweet potato puree, or swirled into oatmeal, quinoa, cottage cheese or ricotta.

Cantaloupe Banana Yogurt Puree

This super creamy and thick cantaloupe puree is another easy puree that can be made in minutes. It’s great for spoon feeding to your baby or served in a reusable pouch.

Instructions (for the full recipe, see recipe card below): place cantaloupe chunks, banana and yogurt into a blender and puree for 30-60 seconds or until smooth. Pour into a baby bowl and serve.

Cantaloupe Cauliflower with Mint Puree

A tasty way to incorporate cauliflower into a baby’s diet! Gently steamed cauliflower is paired with naturally sweetened cantaloupe and rounded out with fresh mint. You can also use basil or chives in place of the mint.

Instructions (for the full recipe, see recipe card below): steam some cauliflower until fork tender. Transfer to a blender, add cantaloupe and mint, and puree until smooth.

Chunky Cantaloupe Tofu and Mint

Cantaloupe and tofu make a great team! Here we are roughly chopping both and pairing them with a sprinkle of chopped mint for an easy finger food for baby. You can use raw tofu or cook it lightly in a skillet before chopping and adding to the cantaloupe.

Instructions (for the full recipe, see recipe card below): on a cutting board, roughly chop some cantaloupe and sprouted tofu. Mix together and then sprinkle on some chopped mint or basil to the top.

Cantaloupe for Self Feeding

Cantaloupe is a good food for your baby to self-feed, whether for baby-led weaning, which happens around 6 months of age, or during the finger foods stage at 9 months.

Large Stick – 2 fingers wide (6+ months): great for babies 6+ months or just starting on solid foods. It’s best to start your baby with a bigger piece of cantaloupe, at least 2 fingers wide.

Chopped or Wedge (9+ months): when your baby’s pincer grasp has developed, you can serve chopped bite-size pieces of cantaloupe or a wedge to your baby.

Wedges or Smaller Sticks (12+ months): as your baby’s eating skills advance you can serve them wedges of cantaloupe so they can learn how to take a bite as well as smaller sticks.

Cantaloupe Lemon Popsicles

Want a fun way to serve cantaloupe to your baby on a hot day? Then try these Cantaloupe Popsicles! Made with only 4 ingredients; these popsicles will be a fun (if not a little messy) way for your baby to explore this popular fruit!

Instructions (for the full recipe, see recipe card below): blend cantaloupe, yogurt, lemon juice and sweetener (optional). Pour into small baby-friendly popsicle molds and freeze. Once frozen, take a popsicle out of the mold and hand it to your baby.

Cantaloupe Smoothie

Made with 6 simple ingredients – including one veggie – this smoothie is easy to make and even easier to drink! Great for 9+ months!

Instructions (for the full recipe, see recipe card below): place cantaloupe, frozen mango, frozen banana, frozen cauliflower, chia seeds and milk into a blender and puree until creamy. Pour into a baby-safe cup and serve.