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When can i feed baby banana


Bananas for Babies - When Can Babies Eat Bananas?

When can babies eat bananas?

Bananas may be introduced as soon as a baby is ready to start solids, which is generally around 6 months of age.

Need ideas for the best first foods for babies? See our guides.

Background & origin of the banana

How did banana become one of the most consumed fruits in the world? It started in the tropics of Asia, where the plant originated and still grows wild. There, one can enjoy a bevy of banana and plantain varieties in different sizes, shapes, and colors, from red to orange to pink to purple, with a taste that ranges from starchy to sweet. Yet despite its incredible biodiversity (more than 1,000 known varieties exist), just one—the Cavendish banana—dominates the world market. This cultivar has a sturdy peel that protects the fruit while it travels long distances, a competitive advantage over tender types that are eaten quickly after harvest. The Cavendish has become a major global export in Africa and the Americas, where colonizers introduced similarly durable varieties that led to commercial plantations that supply the world today. If you live in Europe, Canada, or the United States, the Cavendish is mostly likely the banana at your local grocer. Fun fact: the whole banana plant can be put to use, from its edible flowers, shoots, and roots to its sturdy medicinal leaves. Even the peel is edible!

Are bananas healthy for babies?

Yes. Bananas are packed with carbohydrates to energize the body and essential nutrients that babies need to thrive, like folate, vitamin B6, vitamin C, and potassium. Together these nutrients support the nervous system, skin health, iron absorption, and blood pressure. A bonus: bananas contain more antioxidants than many berries, herbs, and vegetables!1

Nutrients vary by ripeness. For example, all bananas contain a good amount of fiber to build a healthy digestive system, but less-ripe bananas contain more prebiotic fiber than ripe bananas, which contain more soluble fiber. 2 3 No matter the stage of ripeness, bananas are a great addition to a child’s diet and an excellent snack when paired with a healthy protein or fat, such as nut butter that has been thinned with yogurt to reduce the choking hazard for kids.

Despite its nutritional benefits, banana is not without flaws. Conventionally grown bananas are heavily sprayed with pesticides, which can harm the environment and health of the people who grow and eat the food.4 5 Thankfully, peeling and discarding the banana skin can minimize exposure to pesticides—and there is growing demand for more sustainably cultivated, equitably sourced bananas.6 7 For those who prefer to eat the peel (yes, it is edible!) and food products made from it (like banana peel flour), consider purchasing organic or treating these as “once-in-a-while foods”—and be sure to wash the peel thoroughly before cooking to remove pesticide residue.

★Tip: Bananas are affordable and easy to serve—an ideal fruit when pressed for time, which, let’s face it, can happen every day. If you’d like to cut back on a daily banana habit, try treating the fruit as a backup food for on-the-go moments with children.

Do bananas cause constipation? Can bananas ease diarrhea?

Despite popular perception, the evidence for bananas causing constipation is weak.8 In fact, there’s research that suggests that bananas can help promote regular bowel movements. The belief that bananas cause constipation may come down to differences in ripeness.

Unripe green bananas are higher in resistant starches and soluble fibers, which help feed gut bacteria (great for regularity), while also containing tannins. Tannins are a type of polyphenol that makes unripe bananas suck the moisture out of your mouth. When tannins are consumed in excess, they can be associated with constipation; despite this, green bananas may still help support regular bowel movements.9

If you’re worried bananas are causing constipation, explore offering ripe bananas. As bananas become riper, the starch and tannin decrease, and the natural sugar content increases, which may be more helpful for an already constipated child. 10 11 12

That said, constipation is complicated. There’s usually more to it than just bananas—like other foods in a baby’s diet, a baby’s medical history, and the natural shift in the gut microbiome with the introduction of solid food. If you have any concerns about constipation, be sure to talk to your pediatric health care provider.

★Tip: Store green bananas in a brown paper bag to speed up the ripening process. Once ripe, peel and pop them in an air-tight container in the freezer—where they’ll keep for a couple of months.

Are bananas a common choking hazard for babies?

No. Bananas are not a common cause of choking, but they are a common cause of gagging, as they may stick to the inside of baby’s mouth. However, processed banana (such as dried banana and banana chips) certainly can be. To minimize the risk, serve fresh banana and refrain from offering fried or dried preparations until closer to the second birthday. As always, make sure to create a safe eating environment, stay within arm’s reach of a baby at mealtime, and check out our age-appropriate serving suggestions.

For more information on choking, visit our sections on gagging and choking and familiarize yourself with the list of common choking hazards.

Are bananas a common allergen?

No. Although bananas are not considered a common allergen, reactions to banana have been reported.13 14 Individuals with ragweed allergy, latex allergy, or oral allergy syndrome (also called pollen food allergy syndrome) may be sensitive to bananas.15 16 17 Oral allergy syndrome typically causes mild, temporary itching, tingling, or burning in the mouth, which usually resolves on its own. Cooking banana before serving can minimize oral allergy symptoms. Individuals with oral allergy syndrome are also unlikely to react to banana-flavored foods.

Banana can be a trigger food for babies and toddlers who have FPIES (Food Protein-Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome), a type of delayed allergic reaction that can result in vomiting, diarrhea, low blood pressure, and dehydration a few hours after ingesting the food. 18 To learn more about FPIES, see our Allergies page.

As you would when introducing any new food, start by offering a small quantity during the first couple of servings. If there is no adverse reaction, gradually increase the amount served over future meals.

How do you prepare bananas for babies with baby-led weaning?

Every baby develops on their own timeline, and the suggestions on how to cut or prepare particular foods are generalizations for a broad audience. Your child is an individual and may have needs or considerations beyond generally accepted practices. In determining the recommendations for size and shape of foods, we use the best available scientific information regarding gross, fine, and oral motor development to minimize choking risk. The preparation suggestions we offer are for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for child-specific, one-on-one advice from your pediatric medical or health professional or provider. It is impossible to fully eliminate all risk of a baby or child choking on any liquid, puree, or food. We advise you to follow all safety protocols we suggest to create a safe eating environment and to make educated choices for your child regarding their specific needs. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read or seen here.

6 to 9 months old: You’ve got options! Offer one half of a whole, peeled banana on its own. Serve spears from a banana that has been split lengthwise into thirds. Or mash banana and pre-load a spoon for baby to try to pick up or grab from you. Remember, babies oftentimes gag on banana because it is soft and sticky. If you notice banana is sticking to the roof of baby’s mouth causing an intense gag, consider lengthwise spears of banana instead of a whole peeled banana. Unlike other foods that when served big give the inside of the mouth a lot of sensory feedback, the soft, squishy nature of banana doesn’t tend to provide the same type of input.

9 to 12 months old: Banana spears are a great option at this age. If a baby is stuffing and shoveling food into the mouth, try serving smaller, bite-sized pieces broken off from a banana already split into spears, which will make the pieces easier to pick up and less slippery. Slices of banana are great for pincer grasp practice, and can also be added to yogurt, oatmeal, and porridge.

12 to 18 months old: Offer bite-sized pieces—or if you feel comfortable, serve spears or even a whole banana. The exact size is up to you, though certain sizes may yield more consumption depending on the child’s eating skills.

18 to 24 months old: This is a great time to move back up in size by offering the whole banana. Try teaching how to peel a banana—a fun activity for toddlers.

Banana spear made from splitting banana in thirdsBite size banana pieces

How often should you offer solids? See our sample feeding schedules for babies of every age.

Recipe: Banana with Cinnamon Sunflower Seed Dip

Yield: 1/2 cup (64 grams)
Cooking Time: 5 minutes
Age: 6 months+

Ingredients

  • 1 medium banana
  • 2 tablespoons (28 grams) unsalted, unsweetened sunflower seed butter
  • 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) warm water or more as needed
  • ¼ teaspoon (1.5 grams) ground cinnamon

Directions

  1. Cut the banana in half crosswise. Peel one half and store the other half in its peel for a future meal.
  2. Separate the peeled half into spears. An easy way to do this: gently push your index finger into the cut side of each half to separate them into spears. See a video here.
  3. Whisk the sunflower seed butter, water, and cinnamon in the child’s bowl (a bowl that suctions to the table works well in this instance!) until smooth with no clumps. The dip should be saucy; add more water as needed to reach the desired consistency.
  4. Serve and let the child self-feed with hands. Demonstrate how to dip and allow the child to dip the banana spears (or fingers!) on their own. If you wind up with a mess of dip and bananas, scoop it all into the bowl and mash it all together, then load the mash onto a spoon and hand it in the air or rest it next to the bowl for the child to try to pick up.

To Store: Store leftover dip in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Flavor Pairings

Banana tastes sweet and starchy—a versatile flavor that pairs well with tropical fruits like guava, lychee, mango, and papaya and juicy berries like blackberry, blueberry, strawberry. Try pairing banana with hearty nuts like almond, cashew, coconut, peanut, or walnut; creamy dairy products like kefir, ricotta cheese, or yogurt; starchy vegetables like carrot, pumpkin, or sweet potato; and nutty grains like amaranth, quinoa, or rice.

Reviewed by

J. Truppi, MSN, CNS

V. Kalami, MNSP, RD

K. Grenawitzke, OTD, OTR/L, SCFES, IBCLC, CNT

S. Bajowala, MD, FAAAAI. Board-Certified Allergist & Immunologist (allergy section)

R. Ruiz, MD Board-Certified General Pediatrician and Pediatric Gastroenterologist

  1. Singh, B., Singh, J.P., Kaur, A., Singh, N. (2016). Bioactive compounds in banana and their associated health benefits – A review. Food Chemistry, 206, 1-11. DOI:10.1016/j.foodchem.2016.03.033. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
  2. Holscher H.D. (2017). Dietary fiber and prebiotics and the gastrointestinal microbiota. Gut microbes, 8(2), 172–184. DOI:10.1080/19490976.2017.1290756. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
  3. Zhang, P., Whistler, R.L., BeMiller, J.N., Hamaker, B.R. (2004). Banana starch : production, physiochemical properties, and digestibility—a review. Carbohydrate Polymers, 59(4), 443-458. DOI:10.1016/j.carbpol.2004.10.014. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
  4. Barraza, D., Jansen, K., van Wendel de Joode, B., Wesseling, C.. Pesticide use in banana and plantain production and risk perception among local actors in Talamanca, Costa Rica. Environ Res. 2011 Jul;111(5):708-17. DOI:10.1016/j.envres.2011.02.009. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
  5. Barraza, D., Jansen, K., van Wendel de Joode, B., Wesseling, C.. Pesticide use in banana and plantain production and risk perception among local actors in Talamanca, Costa Rica. Environ Res. 2011 Jul;111(5):708-17. DOI:10.1016/j.envres.2011.02.009. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
  6. Amini Khoozani, A., Birch, J., Bekhit, A. (2019). Production, application and health effects of banana pulp and peel flour in the food industry. Journal of food science and technology, 56(2), 548–559. DOI:10.1007/s13197-018-03562-z. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
  7. Gomes, H.O., Menezes, J., da Costa, J., Coutinho, H., Teixeira, R., et al. (2020). Evaluating the presence of pesticides in bananas: An integrative review. Ecotoxicology and environmental safety, 189, 110016. DOI:10.1016/j.ecoenv.2019.110016. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
  8. Müller-Lissner, S.A., Kaatz, V., Brandt, W., Keller, J., & Layer, P. (2005). The perceived effect of various foods and beverages on stool consistency. European journal of gastroenterology & hepatology, 17(1), 109–112. DOI:10.1097/00042737-200501000-00020. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
  9. Falcomer, A. L., Riquette, R., de Lima, B. R., Ginani, V. C., & Zandonadi, R. P. (2019). Health Benefits of Green Banana Consumption: A Systematic Review. Nutrients, 11(6), 1222. DOI: 10.3390/nu11061222. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  10. Falcomer, A. L., Riquette, R., de Lima, B. R., Ginani, V. C., & Zandonadi, R. P. (2019). Health Benefits of Green Banana Consumption: A Systematic Review. Nutrients, 11(6), 1222. DOI: 10.3390/nu11061222. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  11. Zhang, P. Whistler, R.L., BeMiller, J.N., Haymaker, B.R. (2005). Banana starch: production, physicochemical properties, and digestibility—a review. Carbohydrate Polymers, 59(4), 443-458. DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2004.10.014. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
  12. Bae S.H. (2014). Diets for constipation. Pediatric gastroenterology, hepatology & nutrition, 17(4), 203–208. DOI:10.5223/pghn.2014.17.4.203. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
  13. El-Sayed, Z.A., El-Ghoneimy, D.H., El-Shennawy, D., Nasser, M.W. (2013). Evaluation of banana hypersensitivity among a group of atopic egyptian children: relation to parental/self reports. Allergy, asthma & immunology research, 5(3), 150–154. DOI:10.4168/aair.2013.5.3.150. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
  14. Grob, M., Reindl, J., Vieths, S., Wüthrich, B., Ballmer-Weber, B.K. (2002). Heterogeneity of banana allergy: characterization of allergens in banana-allergic patients. Annals of allergy, asthma & immunology: official publication of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology, 89(5), 513–516. DOI:10.1016/S1081-1206(10)62090-X. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
  15. American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology. (2020). Oral Allergy Syndrome (OAS) or Pollen Fruit Syndrome (PFS). Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  16. Mayo Clinic. (2019). Food Allergy. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  17. Anaphylaxis Campaign. (2018). Banana. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  18. Blackman, A. C., Anvari, S., Davis, C. M., & Anagnostou, A. (2019). Emerging triggers of food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome: Lessons from a pediatric cohort of 74 children in the United States. Annals of allergy, asthma & immunology : official publication of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology, 122(4), 407–411. DOI: 10.1016/j.anai.2019.01.022. Retrieved June 15, 2021.

When can babies have bananas?

You can give babies mashed banana as soon as they start eating solid foods, usually around 6 months. Bananas are a popular first food for a reason – their natural sweetness makes them a favorite for babies while their versatility offers a perfect grab-and-go snack option.

Are bananas good for babies?

Yes. Bananas are a good source of potassium, vitamins B6 and C, fiber, and magnesium. Because of this combination, as well being easy to prepare, convenient to carry, and tasty, they're considered one of the best first foods for babies.

Although berries and leafy green vegetables might get all the attention for their antioxidant properties, bananas actually contain more. This is helpful for babies because antioxidants can boost brain health while helping with tissue repair.

Another plus is that bananas have been shown to decrease constipation and help with digestion – as long as they're ripe. As bananas ripen, the amount of digestible fiber in them increases, which can help with constipation and aid in digestion. On the other hand, less ripe bananas (more green in color) have more undigestible starches, which can be constipating or make your baby's poop firmer.

A heads up if you haven't fed your baby bananas before: Some of the undigested material from bananas can show up as black flecks or black "strings" in your baby's poop. This is common and harmless; it's simply the center part of the banana.

Can babies be allergic to bananas?

Although some allergic reactions to bananas have been reported, it's rare to be allergic to the fruit, and it isn't considered a common allergen.

That said, bananas may be a trigger if your baby has food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome, a type of gastrointestinal food allergy that affects mainly babies and young children. If your baby tends to throw up or have diarrhea soon after eating a particular food like soy or grains, talk to your pediatrician.

And it never hurts to be aware of the symptoms of a food allergy. Some symptoms include hives, itchy skin rashes, swelling, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. If you notice any of these symptoms in your baby after eating food, let their doctor know. If your baby has symptoms that involve multiple parts of the body (such as hives with vomiting or diarrhea), it could be an anaphylactic reaction.

Other signs of an anaphylactic reaction are throat tightness, breathing problems, wheezing, lightheadedness, and loss of consciousness. If your baby shows signs of an anaphylactic reaction, call 911 or go to an emergency room immediately.

When introducing a potentially allergenic food, experts recommend giving it to your baby at home, rather than at daycare or a restaurant. Serve it for three to five days before offering another new food. That way you can monitor your baby for a reaction and know what's likely causing it.

How to serve babies banana

You can offer your baby slices of banana or mash up the fruit and serve it on a spoon. Bananas also pair well with other soft fruits in a fruit salad, to give your baby a range of flavor and texture options. They're also great blended into a smoothie with other fruits and yogurt.

Like avocados, bananas are easy to serve because there's no cooking or pureeing required – just mash with a fork and you're good to go.

Once your baby is older and eating finger foods, you can add mashed banana to pancake batter and make small pancakes that your baby can pick up and eat. Or try mashing up a banana and serving it on bite-size pieces of toast.

If you're trying baby-led weaning, bananas are a common first food. Try giving your baby spears of ripe banana that they can pick up and gnaw on, but make sure the banana is ripe enough that your baby can easily mash it between their tongue and the roof of their mouth.

Try these recipes with bananas for your baby:

  1. Mango and banana puree
  2. Tropical fruit salad

From what age can a child be given a banana | "Pro Nashe Zdorovie"

When it's time for complementary foods, young mothers ask themselves at what age they can give their babies a banana. Sweet fruits are usually introduced into the baby's diet after the first feeding, especially vegetables.

Complementary foods Complementary foods are any food other than breast milk or formula. The child receives such food in order to subsequently move away from breast milk or milk formulas. Complementary foods are, in most cases, thicker than milk or formula. Fruit juice is not an additive, but a correction of baby food. By introducing complementary foods, the mother, thus, begins to expand the baby's diet.

The first side dish starts with porridge or vegetables.

Introducing vegetables into complementary foods
Vegetables are usually given to all children, especially those who are chubby and have problems with defecation. It's best to start with hypoallergenic green vegetables such as squash, cauliflower and broccoli. They are neutral in taste.

First meal porridge
Oatmeal is used less frequently than vegetables as a first food, and usually in children whose weight gain is below normal. The first cereal should be gluten-free. It's buckwheat, rice and corn grits .

There is no need to delay the introduction of complementary foods. If you delay the first feeding, your baby will get used to breast or powdered milk. His interest in food is slowly fading away. He gets used to the liquid consistency of milk, and then it is difficult for him to feed other, thicker foods.

Banana as a "supplement" - when you can include in the diet

Since all babies develop individually, there is no specific and clear timeframe for introducing bananas into the diet. The optimal time is around 8-9months or even later. Some mothers dare to give their child a banana in the first six months - but here you have to be very careful, take very small portions and carefully monitor the reaction of the baby's digestive system. It is strongly not recommended to introduce complementary foods even earlier - in the first six months of life, most babies absorb well only mother's milk and special mixtures.

When can you start giving your child a banana?

Interestingly, the banana is the only exotic fruit that can be given to young children. It is optimal to introduce a banana as a breast milk supplement or formula, from 8 months . You should not give a banana in advance - the still unformed gastrointestinal tract of the baby simply will not be able to digest this product and will remove it from the body almost undigested. Also, after eating a banana at such an early age, diathesis and small red rashes may appear. In this case, you should stop eating bananas and contact your pediatrician.

Bananas should be included very carefully in the diet of children if the parents are prone to allergies or overweight.

You have to think about how many bananas to eat at a time. It is enough to offer a child after a year half or a third of a banana.

Banana is a rather soft product, but it is better to grind it with a blender or a regular fork. Then the banana will make an excellent, tasty puree. You can also serve banana puree with cookies or banana dessert with coconut flakes to your child. When the baby is older, you can give him a banana without mixing it in the puree. In this way, your child will learn to chew solid food. You can also give your child a banana in the form of a store-bought baby puree.

Banana can be cooked before eating. To do this, cut a banana into several pieces and boil it lightly in a double boiler or water bath.

You can also introduce a banana to a child in the following way : chop the banana, heat it slightly, add it to the pulp in breast milk or formula.

When the child is five years old, a banana can be offered to him in a new form. This one can be a dried banana and special banana chips. They can be added to fruit salads, cookies, cereals.
Russian pediatricians are unanimous on the issue of when a child can have a banana. The main thing is not to rush, so as not to harm.

Baby bananas

Pediatricians disagree about the age at which a banana should be given to a child. Some count in a year, others in 6.5 months.

Exotic Fruit Feeding Rules:

  1. For the first time, you need to prepare liquid banana puree. The child is given a teaspoon.
  2. To do this, the fruits are crushed after heat treatment in a water bath.
  3. Banana puree is diluted with boiled water, mother's milk.
  4. Use the dish as your morning meal.
Breastfeeding

It is recommended not to interrupt breastfeeding until six months. During this time, the digestive system is formed. After 6 months, additional nutrition is already allowed.

Start with vegetables. Fruit - after 7 months. First applesauce, then banana.

Formula-fed

The digestive system of children develops faster with the use of adapted milk supplements. Therefore, complementary foods with vegetables can be started from 4.5 months, fruit purees (including bananas) - from six months.

When can a banana be given to a baby?

Until 6 months of age, breastfed babies are fed only breast milk. But time goes by and the children's diet is gradually enriched. When the main fruits and vegetables have been tried, you can please the baby with something new, such as a banana.

When can a banana be given to a child? Now it is the tropical fruit that is introduced into the diet early enough, because it rarely causes allergies, it is very healthy and nutritious. To get acquainted with exotic fruits successfully, you need to follow a few simple rules.

Everything has its time

The optimal age for a little gourmet to get acquainted with a banana is about 8 months.

  • This exotic fruit is introduced into the diet only after the baby has already tasted the main vegetables and fruits. Banana is sweet, and if given at the beginning of complementary foods, it can spoil the appetite later on and distract the baby from less tasty, but no less healthy vegetables and cereals.
  • When the baby tries a new fruit and the mother is convinced of its good tolerance, banana can be added to porridge and curd mass.

During an illness, immediately after vaccination or during stress, banana supplements, as well as any new products, are not allowed!

It is better to give it in the morning, not in the evening - in order to have time to observe the reaction of the body. If the baby has unusual symptoms, a rash, or problems with stools, postpone the introduction of a new fruit for a few weeks.

All useful within normal limits

How many bananas can a child have?

  • The taste of bananas starts with a small amount of the product: about half a teaspoon. Look at the reaction of the body, if the body is well adapted - it can be given in an amount equivalent to a teaspoon per day, which corresponds to the rules for introducing each new product into the children's diet.
  • A 9-10 month old baby can easily eat up to 3 tablespoons of mashed banana if feeding goes smoothly. Approximately half of the fruits are closer to the year, and then completely.

The norms for each child are individual, the main thing is not to overdo it, introduce it gradually and monitor the body's reaction.

When can a child have a banana

There are exotic fruits that already have an established position in the Russian market and have been considered a Russian product almost from time immemorial. One of these "overseas" is a banana. This fruit is extremely useful, because it contains potassium (a source of good mood and excellent health), as well as vitamin C, carotene, calcium, iron and much, much more. Bananas are good for baby's brain development. and are also recommended for children with indigestion and other digestive problems.

At what age can a child have a banana: rules for feeding

The first meal is always a thrill for mom. What to apply, how to prevent allergic reactions and abdominal pain in a baby. Today the kid angrily pushes away a spoonful of broccoli, and tomorrow he greedily throws himself at the carrot puree. In the first case, the mother is upset that the child has not eaten, and in the second, that she moans plaintively and asks for more.

It is important to understand here that the first meal is not food, but only knowledge of new products. So the most important thing is persistence. The main principles can be formulated as follows:

  • less is more;
  • until the body gets used to one product, do not move on to the next;
  • do not mix several products during the day.

How to give a banana?

  • First of all, don't forget that your baby's teeth and digestive system are not yet fully formed. Therefore, you can not offer the baby a whole banana. It is best to mash it into a soft puree, or at least cut it into small, easily digestible slices.
  • Choose ripe bananas. Do not give green bananas to your child - keep them at home for several days until they turn yellow. It is better not to buy overripe fruits at all, they can cause indigestion and allergies.
  • Banana is not a staple food, but a dessert fruit. Therefore, it is better to serve it after the main meal - cereal, vegetables, so that the child does not refuse "less tasty" food in favor of "more tasty".

Even if your baby is one year old and can be fed bananas, don't give him a large serving of fruit right away for the first time. Like any other product, a banana can theoretically cause allergies. To make sure that there is no tendency to allergies, give the child a very small amount of food at first.

And, of course, you should not give a banana in a "pure" form. It can be safely mixed with other products - porridge, mashed potatoes, cottage cheese. If your child does not like some of the necessary foods and is naughty during feeding, try sweetening the dishes with a banana - maybe the attitude towards her will change.

From what age can a child be given a banana as complementary food?

The correct and timely introduction of complementary foods is of great importance, since the health and development of the child will largely depend on this. Usually, doctors recommend introducing complementary foods after six months. If the child is thin or anemic, the doctor may allow food to be given a month earlier. Experts advise starting to supplement the diet with vegetable dishes. Otherwise, the child will try sweet fruits and will not eat vegetables.

When the child tolerates new products, namely vegetables, fruit can be introduced at 7-8 months.

However, if your baby is overweight, your doctor may recommend that you delay introducing bananas to your diet because they are high in calories and high in sucrose.

When your baby is slowly gaining weight, porridge should be introduced as the first food.

Therefore, it is impossible to say unequivocally at what age a child can be given a banana. Everything is individual and depends on the specific situation.

Banana food

If you have not tried vegetables and cereals yet, you can safely say that it is too early to get acquainted with fruits. There are several reasons for this:

  • Sweet pulp provokes fermentation in the stomach. Increased risk of gas and colic.
  • Sweet taste can be very pleasant for a child. In this case, he may refuse porridge and vegetables that you offer him later. Banana is very useful, but it will not replace all products.

In this matter, it is recommended not to rush. Only you yourself will have to decide how many months you can give a banana to your baby. Therefore, seek the advice of a doctor and assess the condition of the child. Based on this, final conclusions can be drawn.

Complementary foods at 4 months

  • When should complementary foods be introduced from 4 months?
  • How to start complementary foods at 4 months?
  • What foods can be included in the diet of a 4-month-old baby?
  • Can I make my first supplement myself?

It is well known that the ideal time to supplement is between 4 and 6 months. The presence of milk teeth or the ability to sit are signs that your baby is ready to feed. It is important that the baby does not have a reflex to push the spoon with his tongue and that he can swallow well food that is thicker than breast milk or formula.

The pediatrician can tell you the exact time to start complementary foods, mostly the golden mean is 5-5.5 months. But there are situations when the supplement should be started from the 4th month, even in an infant.

When should complementary foods be introduced from 4 months?

  • The child is not gaining weight well or is lagging behind in physical development.
  • The child has functional digestive disorders (vomiting, constipation).
  • Mother has little or no milk.
  • Baby has reduced appetite or is not digesting formula well.
  • The child has symptoms of iron deficiency (anemia).
  • The child has a pronounced interest in food: he watches with interest the food of adults, reaches for food.
  • The child refuses his usual food and feels hungry.

How to start complementary foods at 4 months?

The first product of complementary foods, regardless of the age and type of feeding of the child (breast or artificial), should be energy-intensive foods: porridge or vegetable puree. Oatmeal can be chosen first of all if the baby has loose or unstable stools, as well as insufficient body weight. After 4-5 days from the beginning of the porridge, butter can be gradually added to it (up to 5 g per serving of porridge 150 g).

Vegetable puree can be the first food for a child prone to constipation, then it is better to choose zucchini, which can have a mild laxative effect on the baby's stool. From 4-5 days of vegetable puree, you can gradually add vegetable oil to it (up to 5 g per 150 g of vegetables).

Vegetables

The first vegetable puree can be zucchini, broccoli or cauliflower.

Fruit

A third type of supplement may be apple or pear fruit puree. Later, you can introduce banana or apricot puree. At first, fruit puree should not be given to the child alone, but rather mixed with porridge or vegetables, so that the child does not begin to prefer the sweet taste of fruit. When the amount of fruit puree reaches 50 g or more, it can be given separately, for example, after the child has eaten porridge or at noon.

Juices should not be the first food, moreover, they cannot be introduced into the baby's diet during the first year of life, as they have a sweet taste and low nutritional value.

An approximate sequence of feeding a 4-month-old baby is shown in the figure.

What foods can be included in the diet of a 4-month-old baby?

From the first cereals, it is better to choose buckwheat or rice. They must be dairy-free and can be diluted with water, breast milk, or formula your baby consumes. You can add corn and oatmeal later.

Can I make my first supplement myself?

The first supplement can be prepared by yourself, but it is safer to use commercially produced hypoallergenic one-component cereals or purees prepared to high quality baby food standards. In addition, it should be remembered that industrially produced baby cereals are often enriched with vitamins and minerals, which makes them especially suitable for the first feeding.

Benefits of Banana Complementary Food

When planning a meal plan for your little gourmet, do not forget about the undeniable benefits of bananas in your diet, namely:

  1. Mild, fiber-free texture and no pits make bananas easy to make into a smooth puree that your baby can swallow with little effort;
  2. Having a range of vitamins, including B vitamins and vitamin C, will help your child get enough nutrients;
  3. Banana is a rich source of minerals, especially magnesium, which is important for the development of the nervous system and muscles in a child, iron for hematopoiesis, sodium and phosphorus for metabolic processes;
  4. Fruits, including bananas, are not only a source of vitamins and minerals, but also an excellent alternative to sweets that should not be given to young children;
  5. Banana food will become one of your little gourmet's favorite dishes with its taste and lack of strong smell and will help to develop a positive attitude towards new food and a desire to try new tastes in food in your child.

From 8-9 months old, when your baby is already teething, banana pieces should appear in the feeding of your little fidget. You can use them as a tasty and healthy dessert, after the main meal or as an addition to a snack while walking with your child - in the park or in nature. During feeding, sit the baby at the same table with adults and give him pieces of banana that he can chew himself. Yes, especially if all family members follow a healthy diet, you will not only help your child develop chewing and fine motor skills with pleasure, but also instill in him a culture of healthy eating so that your little explorer grows up healthy and full of energy.

Advantages and disadvantages

Doctors note the benefits of bananas for children due to the following composition:

  1. The presence of fiber improves the baby's digestion.
  2. A large amount of vitamins, micro and macro elements is important for the development of the heart and bones.
  3. Vitamin B supports the proper development of the child's nervous system.
  4. Banana starch is easily absorbed by the child's body. It breaks down, turning into glucose - a source of energy.

Bananas for children should be limited:

  1. For digestive disorders (colic, constipation, loose stools).
  2. If sugar is above normal.
  3. Before the main meal, otherwise you may ruin your baby's appetite before feeding.
  4. Disease of the thyroid gland.
  5. Diseases of the heart.
  6. Neurological disorders (fainting, epilepsy).

Benefits of banana for baby

Exotic fruit coats the lining of the esophagus to help protect the organs from the effects of stomach acid. Fiber is digested slowly, which eliminates the feeling of hunger for a long time. Promotes the removal of toxins and toxins, does not lead to a sharp increase in blood sugar levels. Starch and pectin act as prebiotics to maintain a healthy gut microflora.

Bananas affect the body in the following ways:
  • maintain normal blood cholesterol levels;
  • lower blood pressure;
  • improve heart function;
  • strengthen blood vessels and bones;
  • prevent oxidative processes in the body;
  • activate the brain;
  • improve mood;
  • support the water-salt balance.

Due to the content of sodium, magnesium and potassium, regular consumption of yellow fruits reduces the risk of kidney disease by 50%. Vitamin B6 prevents the formation of stones and urolithiasis. Ascorbic acid improves immunity and regulates hematopoiesis. Together with potassium, it accelerates the healing of burns and wounds. The amino acid tryptophan is converted into serotonin, which is considered the “hormone of happiness”.

Banana peel will also benefit the children's body. It contains many fruit acids that have anti-inflammatory and moisturizing properties. Therefore, in case of an insect bite, you can rub the skin with the inside of the peel. As a result, itching will go away and inflammation will decrease.

Glycolic acid promotes the production of collagen, which gives joints and cartilage elasticity, while citric acid has antiseptic properties.

When a child can have a banana, in what form to give it for the first time

Of course, if a child is given a banana for the first time, the fruit must first acquire a uniform texture, only then it will be of maximum benefit to the child.

It is easier to use commercial fruit puree. In addition to the fact that the product has a uniform consistency, they also contain additional vitamins and are convenient to use outside the home. Therefore, store-bought fruit purees are the perfect food that does not need to be cooked.

When buying puree, pay attention to the production date and expiration date. It is better to take the finished product in a glass jar, which is additionally covered with a special branded foil. Such packaging is more difficult to counterfeit.

You can make your own banana puree. The fruit should be ripe, the skin should be yellow, without dark spots. When buying a green banana, keep it at room temperature for 2 days and it will ripen. Bananas should not be refrigerated as they turn black.

The peel of the fruit should be thoroughly washed and removed along with the remaining white longitudinal stripes. If these conditions are not met, the benefits of such a product can be very doubtful.

Banana puree can be prepared in many ways. For example, you can grind fruits with a blender or grate them. You can also use clean and sterile cheesecloth to puree. Cut the banana into small pieces, wrap in 3-4 layers of gauze and start squeezing slowly. Thus, you will get a puree with a soft consistency.

If the puree is too thick, you can add a little mother's milk, this will only enhance the beneficial properties of this supplement. At an older age, when dairy products are already allowed for a child, banana puree can be combined with them.

When a child can eat a banana, the benefits of the fruit are undeniable

The main advantage of bananas is that although they are exotic fruits, they never cause allergic reactions in children. In very rare cases, babies are allergic to serotonin, a chemical found in bananas. It is sweet and tasty, and most importantly, extremely healthy.
Therefore, you should choose bananas as an early addition.

  • Bananas are as rich in vitamin C as lemons. And as you know, ascorbic acid increases immunity, strengthens the walls of blood vessels.
  • They contain a lot of B vitamins, which normalize a child's sleep and generally have a positive effect on the baby's nervous system.
  • Fruit contains nicotinic acid, tocopherol and vitamin PP, E, K.
  • In addition to vitamins, bananas are rich in minerals.
  • Potassium, which is necessary for the proper functioning of the heart muscle.
  • The fruit is rich in iron, magnesium and fluorine.
  • Magnesium has a calming effect.
  • Fluorine is involved in the formation of teeth.
  • Iron prevents anemia.
  • The breakdown of starch in bananas releases glucose, which gives the baby energy.
  • The fruit contains pectin, which has a firming effect and promotes the elimination of toxins from the body. Pectin is an ingredient in some antidiarrheal medications for children.
  • Banana consists of potassium, magnesium, sodium, iron and fluorine. They contribute to the proper formation of bone and muscle mass, normalize the circulatory system, and are useful for the brain.
  • Banana fiber provides energy, which is very important for an active organism.
  • In general, bananas improve attention and improve mood.

Banana puree can therefore be used to improve bowel movements in children with diarrhea. But this only applies to ripe bananas. In unripe fruits, there is little pectin, but a lot of starch, which has a laxative effect.

When a mother knows at what age a banana can be given to a child and how to do it correctly, she will be able to diversify the baby's diet and feed him with a healthy product so that the baby grows strong and healthy.

Try to make your child's diet as diverse as possible. Although he can still eat a limited number of foods, he can alternate and combine them in different ways. Thus, your baby will be able to get the maximum amount of vitamins and minerals.

Children usually like to eat bananas, but if the baby refuses, do not force him. Think about how you can replace a banana in your child's diet.

Sweet and soft banana

Sweet and tender banana will become your baby's favorite dish. For the first time, let your baby try a teaspoon of fruit puree in the third stage of complementary feeding. Banana is necessary for hematopoiesis and brain development, metabolic processes, strengthening the immune system. The fruit is rich in vitamins of group B, PP, iron, magnesium, sodium and fluorine.

The vitamin C found in bananas not only helps babies strengthen their immune system, but also improves the absorption of iron, which is very important for the proper development of children after six months. Iron is an essential component of blood cells and is involved in many processes in the body, so it is necessary for the full development of the child. Therefore, during the period of active growth, it is necessary to include foods rich in iron in the diet of your little fidget and contribute to its better absorption, for example, bananas.

Many mothers are wondering at what age you can give a banana to feed your baby. If your baby is 6 months old and has been eating vegetable purees or milk porridge for at least 3-4 weeks, moms can start introducing him to tasty and healthy fruits. They should be introduced into the child's diet more or less in the same way as the vegetable puree introduced earlier into the food. First you need to choose fruits with a light green or white tint, such as apples or pears. Although bananas are the right color for first foods, moms should remember that this is an exotic fruit for your baby, so it's best to introduce banana puree after he's tried his first fruit supplement.

Substances in banana pulp can cause an allergic reaction in babies, so be careful with your little fidget when introducing banana puree. To get started, let your baby give no more than 0.5-1 teaspoon of banana puree in one of the feedings, preferably in the middle of the day, when the baby is in a good mood. In this case, it is necessary to carefully monitor the well-being of the child. If he has an allergy to banana puree, this product should be excluded from the baby's complementary foods. But if the baby likes the taste of the new puree, you can gradually increase the serving to 100-150g per feeding over 2-3 weeks.

When mashing, remember to standardize the consistency to make it easier for your child to swallow a new product. To make banana puree even more tender, you can add a little breast milk or infant formula to it if your little gourmet is already on a mixed diet.

There are no pits in the banana, but before feeding the baby, it should be washed and peeled well so that nothing prevents him from enjoying the taste of his favorite dish.

When cooking for a child, do not use sugar or other sweeteners to enjoy the natural taste and benefits of mashed banana. But you can add cottage cheese to the puree - thanks to this, your child will get more protein, which his body really needs for full growth and development.

When your child tastes different fruit purees, you can mix them together to make a vitamin-rich diet and try different flavors.

Choose Your Bananas Correctly

In order not to provoke digestive problems, bananas for babies should be chosen very carefully!

They must be:

  • Well ripened, uniform, dark yellow. A child's body is unlikely to be happy with an immature fetus.
  • No black spots on the peel. Who knows what infection lurked in suspicious dark spots.
  • Whole, regular shapes.
  • Free from rot and creases.

How much banana to give

Bananas are mashed to a puree consistency, because a weak digestive system will not digest the whole product. First, eat 0.5 tsp. no more than 3 times a week. Fruit is best served before dinner, because in the evening such food can cause problems with sleep.

After using a new product, take a break for 3-4 days to make sure there are no allergies. If the child's health has not worsened, the amount of fruit in complementary foods is increased. After 3 weeks give up to 3 tbsp. l., subsequently the daily dose is 150 g of the product. It is often mixed with porridge, cottage cheese, vegetable puree and other fruits.

Children's age: complementary feeding norms

Exotic fruits should be used with caution when starting complementary foods.

  1. At the age of 6.5 months, you can give liquid puree - one teaspoon. Up to 7 months - 3 tbsp. spoons.
  2. At the age of 8. 5 - 10.5 months, the rate is increased to half of the fruit in the form of a thick puree.
  3. From 11 months to a year, you can offer from half to a whole fetus. If your child has teeth, you can cut them.

When you can give a whole banana

After babies are 11 months old, you can give birth to the whole fetus if the baby already has teeth. First put the sliced ​​\u200b\u200bfruit pieces in a plate, then a half or a whole banana. Thus, babies train motor skills, and solid food helps to improve chewing skills.

How many bananas a day can a child

Banana, like any other supplement, should be given to the child gradually and in small portions. You should start with 0.5 teaspoon, preferably in the morning, so that during the day you can monitor if the child has an allergy to an unknown product. First, it is advisable to keep a child's food diary, which notes what product was given to the child and what was the reaction to it. This will allow you to adjust your child's diet if necessary. If the child has a skin rash or loose stools, it is better to stop feeding for a while and try again in a month.

If there is no negative reaction to banana puree after 7 days, 1 tablespoon per day may be given. By the age of one, a child can eat half a banana without harm to health. It is not necessary to bring the fruits to a homogeneous state. At 18 months, a baby can eat a whole banana. Schoolchildren are recommended to eat up to 2 bananas a day. They will help your child stay mentally and physically active.

That is, how many bananas a child can get per day depends on his age.

Choice of bananas for baby food

For children, choose only ripe bananas with a uniform, pale yellow color and a smooth, undamaged skin. A few brown dots may be present, indicating maximum maturity. Fruits with a green tint can be bought, but left at home to ripen for 1-2 days at a temperature of +10. +15°С. If a child eats an immature product, flatulence and intestinal problems may occur.

For kids, choose bright yellow bananas.

The fruit should be elastic to the touch with a soft texture, and the aroma should be rich and pleasant. The dents and shriveled, black skin are the marks of overripe bananas. They are not suitable for complementary foods, as they cause constipation, stomach cramps and allergies in children.

In winter, fruits are often sold with a gray rind that develops when exposed to frost. Therefore, it is better for children not to buy them during this period.

Chemical composition of bananas

Sweet fruits of tropical plants contain 96 kcal. 94% of these are carbohydrates (glucose, mono- and disaccharides). In 100 g of the product, the amount of fiber reaches 2.6 g, which is 13% of the daily intake of the substance. There is little protein and fat in bananas, but there are a lot of vitamins B6 (0.37 mg) and C (8.7 mg). The pulp contains the following minerals (in mg per 100 g):

  • potassium - 358;
  • silicon - 77;
  • magnesium - 42;
  • boron - 0. 4;
  • manganese - 0.3.

Banana cons

It also has a number of disadvantages that women should be aware of before giving fruit to their children. The digestive and enzymatic systems of a child do not always have time to form before 6 months of age. And when you're faced with a product that's high in fiber and starch, you might not get the best reaction. You can expect any digestive disorders: vomiting and diarrhea, flatulence and belching.

Although banana allergy is rare, it is possible in babies. So start with a very small amount and watch the reaction closely. If the child has a rash, you should give up the banana for a while. Finally, if the child is prone to obesity, it is recommended to limit the consumption of such nutritious and high-calorie fruits.

Contraindications and harms

Do not include these fruits in the diet of children with kidney disease. If their work is impaired, the rate of potassium excretion decreases. The result is hyperkalemia, which can be accompanied by abdominal pain, convulsions, cardiac arrhythmias, and decreased muscle tone.

Bananas should not be used for the following diseases:

  • diabetes mellitus;
  • thrombophlebitis;
  • ischemic heart disease;
  • increased blood clotting;
  • epilepsy;
  • problems with the thyroid gland.

Eating bananas on an empty stomach is unhealthy. They activate the pancreas, so insulin levels rise sharply. Additionally, heartburn and flatulence appear. With simultaneous use with milk in children, the work of the stomach worsens.

New mothers sometimes worry about whether their children can eat exotic fruits for diarrhea. If this is due to poisoning or rotavirus infection, the product is excluded from the diet.

Banana increases the load on the digestive system. In other cases, ripe fruits will ease the condition.

Allergy symptoms

Bananas rarely cause an allergic reaction. The disease affects children with food allergies (avocados, tomatoes, kiwi, apples, carrots, nuts, legumes, citrus fruits) and allergies to grass pollen. In this case, the following symptoms are observed:

  • nausea and vomiting;
  • abdominal pain;
  • swelling of the throat, tongue and lips;
  • runny nose;
  • redness of the eyes;
  • persistent sneezing;
  • urticaria;
  • itching;
  • diarrhea.

Nausea, stomach pain are signs of an allergy to bananas.

In severe cases, anaphylactic shock occurs, often accompanied by a decrease in blood pressure, shortness of breath, wheezing and loss of consciousness. If a child has symptoms of an allergy, the product is excluded from the diet and contacted by a pediatrician.

How to start complementary foods with a banana?

Complementary foods are introduced after breastfeeding or formula feeding. The introduction of a new product should be gradual. But how is it?

  • On the first day, give the baby 1 tsp. Pre-fed by breast or formula.
  • Approximately 2 days - 3 teaspoons. (15g)
  • On the third day - 6 teaspoons. (30g)
  • Day 4 - 50 g
  • On the fifth day - 70 years
  • Day 7 - 100 g
  • In 8-10 days - bring to 150 g.

Be aware that when supplementing from the 4th month, the introduction of 1 new product may take longer than the supplementation from the 5th or 6th month, i.e. up to 10 days or more, depending on the reaction of the child. .

It is important that the child gradually gets used not only to the new product, but also to its quantity. In the future, you should try to gradually increase the amount of the product at a time until reaching adulthood.

Banana recipes for children.

Curd-banana dessert with biscuits

The following products are used for sweet dishes:

  • banana - 1 piece;
  • cookies - 2 pcs. ;
  • yogurt - 100 ml;
  • cottage cheese - 150 g

Dessert of cottage cheese and banana - a simple and quick dish.

Curd is heated to room temperature and transferred to a mixer. Add crushed biscuits and banana rings (no peel). Top with yogurt and whisk.

Curd dessert
  • 150 g cottage cheese;
  • 100 g yoghurt;
  • one banana.

Place chopped fruit in a blender. Add the rest of the ingredients. Shoot down. Can be given to a child.

Rice porridge with milk

This food is suitable for children from 1 year old. Porridge is prepared from the following ingredients:

  • milk - 150 ml;
  • rice - 150 g;
  • banana - 1 pc.;
  • sugar - 2 tbsp. I.;
  • butter - 30 g.

Wait for the rice to boil. When it boils, reduce the heat and simmer for about 20 minutes with the lid closed. Then the groats are salted. Milk is boiled, added to rice with sugar. Continue to cook the porridge for 6 minutes, then turn off the stove. At the end, add banana puree.

Oatmeal
  • 40 g oatmeal;
  • 100 g milk;
  • banana half;
  • water - as needed.
  1. Dilute milk with water. Add cereal. Mix.
  2. Mash the fruit with a fork (make a puree).
  3. The cooked porridge is ready to be mixed into the puree.
  4. Garnish with shredded coconut.

Tasty and healthy baby banana porridge is ready.

How to select and store bananas

Overseas fruits for a child should be chosen very carefully. Preferably in a large supermarket.

Maturity to be considered:

  1. Ripe fruit is the best choice for a child. The skin should be smooth, without spots, light yellow in color. If a little underripe, leave it in the room for up to two days.
  2. Not ripe. Dark skin covered with black spots. Dangerous consequences: constipation, allergies.
  3. Green. It causes the process of fermentation, gas formation.

How to store bananas:

  1. Fruit should be stored in a dark, cool place. It is better not to put in the refrigerator. Exotic fruits quickly deteriorate, acquiring foreign odors.
  2. Store no more than 5 days.
  3. Do not use plastic bags. Exotic fruits need air access.

How to cook a banana:

  • peel and vein, cut off the ends;
  • carefully inspect and remove if necessary dark areas to keep smooth, light flesh;
  • cut into pieces and grind in a blender, it is possible with an apple, only such an apple-banana mixture cannot be used as a first food;
  • add to porridge or serve the resulting puree from a spoon.

It can be served not only in ground form, but also in small pieces in the form of microdoses - depending on the type of complementary food chosen.

A good option for children up to a year is a nibbler. Put a piece of banana in it and give it to the baby. This will completely eliminate the swallowing of large pieces and the danger of their entry into the respiratory tract.

Do not use the chewing device all the time. The child should be able to develop chewing skills.

If a mother is afraid to feed her child with foods without heat treatment, then after washing, a sliced ​​banana can be cooked in a steam bath or in a double boiler, beaten and served as such.

Which puree to prefer

When choosing banana puree in the store, parents prefer popular baby food manufacturers (Agusha, HIPP, Frutonyanya). Be sure to pay attention to the composition, expiration date and date of manufacture indicated on the label. The mass should not contain preservatives, sugar, dyes.

Cotton when opening the package indicates the quality of the goods. For small children, small jars of fruit puree are fine, as they won't eat much. The opened product is stored in the refrigerator for no more than 24 hours. A child over 1 year old can buy a mixture of several fruits. A combination of a banana with an apple, pear, mango, strawberry, cherry is considered successful.

In order to please your child with delicious banana dishes, it is enough to follow elementary simple rules, then the food will bring pleasure and benefit to the little man.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Sources:
  1. Horse, I.Ya. Modern scientific principles of the organization of complementary foods for children of the first year of life / I.Ya. Horse // Regular issues of "RMJ" No. 23. - 1998. - p.5 https://www.rmj.ru/articles/pediatriya/SOVREMENNYE_NAUChNYE_PRINCIPY_ORGANIZACII_PRIKORMA_DETEY_PERVOGO_GODA_GhIZNI/
  2. Horse, I.Ya. The modern scheme of feeding children in the first year of life / I.Ya. Horse, T.N. Sorvachev, V.I. Kurkova // Pediatrics, 1997, N3, C, 61–65.
  3. Studenikin, M.Ya. Nutrition of young children / M.Ya. Studenkin, K.S. Ladodo // Moscow. - 1991. - p. 175
  4. Filina, V.A. Nutrition of children of the first year of life / V.A. Filina, T.G. Vereshchagina / / Moscow: Dynasty. — 2005. — pp. 6–10, 52–80.
  5. Shabanova, A.N. Handbook of the paramedic / A.N. Shabanova // Medicine. - 1976. - Ch. 6 Childhood diseases. Children's nutrition. http://lechebnik.info/621-3/35.htm
  6. Gordeeva, E.A. Lure; cereals and meat in the nutrition of a child of the first year of life / E.A. Gordeeva, T.N. Sorvachev // Moscow. — 2014. http://www.medlinks.ru/article.php?sid=60519
  7. Zakharova, I.N. Complementary foods of industrial production in the nutrition of young children / I.N. Zakharova, L.I. Mozzhukhina, Yu.A. Dmitrieva, V.I. Svinitskaya // Russian Bulletin of Perinatology and Pediatrics. - Moscow. — 2011. https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/produkty-prikorma-promyshlennogo-proizvodstva-v-pitanii-detey-rannego-vozrasta/viewer
  8. Burmistrova, O.M. On the influence of different temperature regimes of ripening on the consumer properties of bananas / O. M. Burmistrova, N.L. Naumova, E.A. Burmistrov, Yu.A. Bets // Bulletin of the Altai State Agrarian University. — 2017. https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/o-vliyanii-raznyh-temperaturnyh-rezhimov-dozarivaniya-na-potrebitelskie-svoystva-bananov/viewer

Author of the article: Mikhailov Vladimir Pavlovich

Specialty: Gastroenterologist, Gastroenterologist for children

Archived: Pediatrics

From what age can a child be given a banana?

Bananas in children's diet

Bananas, despite their overseas origin, are very fond of the population of our country due to their rather soft, delicate, pleasantly sweet taste. Bananas quickly saturate the body, nourishing it with useful vitamins and minerals. Today, any child will confirm that the banana is his favorite fruit. But at what age can a child be given a banana? When to introduce this fruit into the diet of your child? After all, some parents do this almost like the birth of a baby, while others doubt their benefits, so they introduce their child to an exotic fetus after a year. What to do? First of all, weigh all the positive and negative qualities of bananas, and then draw conclusions.

Banana and its benefits

To give a child a banana or not is the business of every parent. But the benefits of this fruit are still worth mentioning:

  1. Bananas are rich in such vitamins as C, B, E, PP, K. Such a set of useful substances contributes to normal sleep and has a positive effect on the child's nervous system.
  2. Bananas contain potassium, iron, sodium, fluorine and magnesium among useful microelements. Their benefit lies in the beneficial effect on the work of the baby's cardiovascular system, on the formation of the child's teeth and skeletal system.
  3. Bananas contain starch, which is broken down into glucose during digestion to provide energy for the baby.
  4. Due to its soft texture, the banana is easily absorbed by the child's body.
  5. Pectin contained in ripe bananas helps to normalize the baby's stool. Therefore, this fruit is very useful if the baby is diagnosed with diarrhea.
  6. The starch found in unripe bananas helps with constipation. Such fruits can be used as a safe laxative.
  7. Bananas help to improve attention and concentration, cheer up, activate physical activity.

If you start to introduce banana complementary foods from a certain age and continue it regularly until school age, all the psychophysical functions of the child will be formed faster and more efficiently. The child will be active, mentally developed, vigorous and healthy. But if bananas are so good for kids, why are some parents vehemently against them?

What is the harm of bananas?

In general, a banana is a healthy and safe fruit. However, this is the case if the baby does not have abnormalities and pathologies that this fetus can aggravate. Therefore, parents should carefully study the contraindications to the use of bananas by young children, which can harm their body.

  1. Babies under 6 months of age have not developed enough digestive system to process this product. Due to the high content of fiber and starch in bananas, it is not recommended to give this fruit to a baby - he may experience vomiting, diarrhea, flatulence, colic and other troubles.
  2. Banana contains a substance called serotonin. It may cause an allergic reaction. Therefore, it is not recommended to give this tropical fruit to a child prone to allergies.
  3. Banana is a fairly high-calorie and nutritious fruit, so it is not recommended for overweight children: the fruit contributes to weight gain, which adversely affects the functioning of all body systems.

If the child does not have these contraindications, a banana can be added to the child's diet without fear. But when to do it?

At what age should a banana be added to a baby's diet?

Infancy - the time when the baby's body is formed and improved, gets used to new food. From 5-6 months, pediatricians recommend introducing the most harmless mashed potatoes from zucchini, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots and apples that grow in our latitudes into the children's diet. Other fruits begin to be introduced from 7-8 months.

Since a banana is a fruit that does not grow in our country, which means that it is much more difficult for a child's body to get acquainted with it, it is recommended to introduce it into the diet of an infant no earlier than 8 months after birth. If you start giving a banana to a baby before this age, you can provoke unwanted reactions of a small organism - diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, abdominal pain and colic, bloating. Do not overload the baby's body - you will always have time to introduce him to this sweet tropical fruit.

How to start giving bananas?

The kid should get acquainted with bananas gradually: do not immediately give the baby a whole fruit and admire how he will eat it on both cheeks.

Learn more