Banana for Baby: Why Bananas Are Good & How to Serve Them
December 2022
Author:
Hyemyung Kim, RD, CDN, CNSC, CLC
Coauthors:
Erinn Jacobi, M.S. OTR/L
Stefanie Kain, B.S. M.Ed
Johane Filemon, MS, RDN, CLT
About Kids Eat in Color
Created by experts, Kids Eat in Color is the leading resource for families seeking evidence-based information and strategies on child nutrition and feeding.
Author:
Hyemyung Kim, RD, CDN, CNSC, CLC
Coauthors:
Erinn Jacobi, M.S. OTR/L
Stefanie Kain, B.S. M.Ed
Johane Filemon, MS, RDN, CLT
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Inside: Nutritious, tasty and easy to serve, bananas are an appealing early food for babies. Learn more about why our registered dietitian loves banana for baby, how to serve bananas safely, and how to help your child like them.
Bananas tend to be a popular first food for babies and there is a reason why! Bananas are highly nutritious and easy to introduce to babies, given its soft texture and palatable taste.
In this article, we explain how to safely prepare bananas as a puree or for baby-led weaning. Plus, we talk about the benefits of bananas for babies, how to tell if your baby is having an allergic reaction when eating them and how to get your baby to like them.
Yes! Bananas are a nutrient-dense fruit, filled with essential nutrients for a growing baby, and they can be introduced to babies as soon as they are ready to start solids.
Nutrients in banana include:
Carbohydrates: the type of carbs in bananas is resistant starch which does not cause sudden blood sugar spikes and provides food for the good bacteria in the gut. Resistance staches are high in green bananas, and become simple sugars as the banana ripens.
Fiber: supports digestive health and regulates bowel movements.
Potassium: necessary for normal cell function, muscle contraction, nerve transmission and proper cardiac function including the heart.
Vitamin C: acts as an antioxidant, promotes wound healing, improves iron absorption and supports immune health.
Vitamin B6: important for brain development and immune function, involved in metabolism processes.
Are bananas a choking hazard for babies?
Bananas are relatively low in choking risk, although gagging is common due to its soft texture.
If significant gagging is noticed, offer bananas mashed on a spoon or bananas sliced into long sticks to minimize too much banana going into the baby’s mouth.
Note: Avoid offering dried banana chips or anything hard though, as those versions of banana will increase risk of choking.
Gagging vs. choking
Gagging is a normal step in the eating solids process. It is the body’s natural protective response to prevent choking.
Gagging can look like:
Gurgling
Coughing
Spitting
Audible gagging noises
The baby’s tongue will thrust forward to remove the food piece from their mouth.
The most important thing to remember is gagging is normal and that you should not react when it happens. Remain neutral as your child works through their protective gag to continue eating/engaging with the new foods.
How do I know if my baby is choking?
Choking, however, is very different. Choking is when the child’s airway is blocked. Choking can be life-threatening and requires immediate intervention.
Choking can look like:
Silent/quiet struggling
Inability to cough
Inability to or difficulty breathing
Here’s an easy way to quickly remember the difference between gagging and choking: If the baby is loud and red, they’re likely gagging and you should proceed with the meal like normal. If they’re quiet and blue, they need immediate help.
A fresh banana can be peeled, cut in half and served whole to baby.
If it is difficult for baby to hold the banana without slipping out, consider rolling the banana in ground flax seeds, chia seeds, hemp seeds or baby cereal. Or, a little peel can be left on instead, for the baby to grasp.
A fresh banana can also be sliced into long sticks and offered to baby as well.
How to make banana puree for babies
Bananas can be easily mashed or pureed for babies. Cut a peeled banana into chunks and either mash with a fork or use a blender or food mill to achieve the desired consistency.
How to prepare banana for baby-led weaning
Peel a banana, cut it in half and offer the banana whole to your baby.
Another option is to cut the banana into long sticks.
Once a baby develops the pincer grasp, you can offer banana slices or smaller bite-sized chunks instead for your baby to practice picking up.
Where can you buy bananas?
Bananas can be found in grocery stores, markets and farmers markets. They can be purchased fresh or frozen.
When choosing which bananas to take home, consider when you’d like to eat them. Bright yellow bananas are ready to be eaten right away, but bananas with green tips will need a few more days to ripen.
Are bananas considered an allergen?
Bananas are typically not an allergen, but the proteins found in bananas are similar to those found in particular pollen (in this case, ragweed) and can trigger an allergic reaction due to cross-reactivity.
This secondary food allergy is called oral allergy syndrome (OAS), and it occurs in people who are already known to have allergies to pollen.
Allergic symptoms tend to be mild and usually occur within a few minutes after contact with these foods. Most common symptoms are itchiness and/or swelling of the mouth, lips, tongue and throat.
One way to reduce cross-reactivity with food is to heat the food (i.e baking or cooking), which helps to break down the proteins responsible for OAS.
Bananas and FPIES
Bananas can be a trigger food for a rare food allergy disorder called food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES), of which a reaction to the food consumed is delayed, about 1-4 hours afterwards.
How can you tell if a baby is having an allergic reaction to bananas?
Common allergen symptoms your baby could experience during an allergic reaction include:
Hives
Itching
Swelling of the lip or tongue
Rashes
If signs of wheezing, throat tightness, difficulty swallowing or trouble breathing are observed, call your pediatrician immediately.
It is rare for OAS to trigger severe throat swelling leading to difficulty swallowing or breathing.
The hallmark feature with FPIES tends to be profuse and repetitive vomiting or chronic watery diarrhea. If any of these symptoms are observed, then contact the doctor immediately.
How to help babies learn to like bananas
As your baby continues to learn to eat, you can help support their development while also helping them learn to like bananas. These techniques can also help prevent picky eating in toddlers.
Eat bananas with your baby to get them to like them
While you eat, let your baby join you at the table. This helps lay the foundation for eating and exposes them to the foods your family commonly eats. If your baby shows interest in your food, you can offer a sample.
While you model eating a banana for your baby, use simple, clear language.
“I’m eating a banana today.”
“Banana for snack!”
“Banana in my smoothie.”
Let your baby explore bananas through food play
Consider freezing mashed bananas in ice cube trays with popsicle sticks in each section to make banana ice pops.
Once frozen, offer this cold treat to your baby to suck on and enjoy. Allow them time to explore the banana as they bring it to their mouth, touch it with their fingers, tap it on their high chair tray, and rub it back and forth.
Here are some simple things you can say during this food activity:
“Oooh, that’s a cold banana!”
“Freezy banana!”
“Tap, tap, tap the banana.”
“Soft and sweet banana.”
Floor time helps baby develop eating skills
Allowing infants to lay down on the floor, roll around, and push up while on their bellies will help them develop motor skills needed to eat.
The more they practice these skills, the easier it will be to hold themselves up at the table, reach for food, and bring food to their mouths.
As babies explore safe, open spaces on the floor, offer toys for them to reach for, grasp and bring to their mouths.
As they play, clearly describe your baby’s actions:
Created by experts, Kids Eat in Color is the leading resource for families seeking evidence-based information and strategies on child nutrition and feeding.
Hyemyung Kim has been a registered and certified dietitian and nutrition support clinician for 10 years. She initially started her career as an inpatient dietitian with the adult population but fell into the role as a neonatal and pediatric dietitian after a co-worker needed to go on maternity leave. This led to her falling in love with this population and working with parents. She continued to progress her career working in the neonatal and pediatric intensive care units as the nutrition support dietitian and in the nutrition clinic as the outpatient dietitian. During this time, she also obtained her certification as a certified lactation counselor to promote breastfeeding and provide education and support for mothers.
It was while working as a clinical dietitian that Hyemyung got to meet and talk to parents about their struggles with picky eating, finding her passion for teaching and educating parents on tips to help their children to eat. She is passionate about working with parents on this common but tough issue and finds it rewarding when she hears about progress. Now as a new mom to a 1 year old boy, she is also dealing with selective eating and can empathize how parents feel when they are experiencing this. In her role as the dietitian and weaning specialist, Hyemyung strives to approach each parent with empathy, understanding and compassion as she educates and provides support.
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Inside: Nutritious, tasty and easy to serve, bananas are an appealing early food for babies. Learn more about why our registered dietitian loves banana for baby, how to serve bananas safely, and how to help your child like them.
Bananas tend to be a popular first food for babies and there is a reason why! Bananas are highly nutritious and easy to introduce to babies, given its soft texture and palatable taste.
In this article, we explain how to safely prepare bananas as a puree or for baby-led weaning. Plus, we talk about the benefits of bananas for babies, how to tell if your baby is having an allergic reaction when eating them and how to get your baby to like them.
Article contents:
Are bananas good for babies?
Are bananas a choking hazard for babies?
How do I know if my baby is choking on bananas?
How to safely prepare eggs for baby
How to puree banana for babies
How to prepare banana for baby-led weaning
Are bananas considered an allergen?
How can you tell if a baby is having an allergic reaction to bananas?
How to help babies learn to like bananas
Are bananas good for babies?
Yes! Bananas are a nutrient-dense fruit, filled with essential nutrients for a growing baby, and they can be introduced to babies as soon as they are ready to start solids.
Nutrients in banana include:
Are bananas a choking hazard for babies?
Bananas are relatively low in choking risk, although gagging is common due to its soft texture.
If significant gagging is noticed, offer bananas mashed on a spoon or bananas sliced into long sticks to minimize too much banana going into the baby’s mouth.
Note: Avoid offering dried banana chips or anything hard though, as those versions of banana will increase risk of choking.
Gagging vs. choking
Gagging is a normal step in the eating solids process. It is the body’s natural protective response to prevent choking.
Gagging can look like:
The baby’s tongue will thrust forward to remove the food piece from their mouth.
The most important thing to remember is gagging is normal and that you should not react when it happens. Remain neutral as your child works through their protective gag to continue eating/engaging with the new foods.
How do I know if my baby is choking?
Choking, however, is very different. Choking is when the child’s airway is blocked. Choking can be life-threatening and requires immediate intervention.
Choking can look like:
Here’s an easy way to quickly remember the difference between gagging and choking: If the baby is loud and red, they’re likely gagging and you should proceed with the meal like normal. If they’re quiet and blue, they need immediate help.
Related: Common Choking Hazards + How to Prevent Choking
How to safely prepare bananas for babies
A fresh banana can be peeled, cut in half and served whole to baby.
If it is difficult for baby to hold the banana without slipping out, consider rolling the banana in ground flax seeds, chia seeds, hemp seeds or baby cereal. Or, a little peel can be left on instead, for the baby to grasp.
A fresh banana can also be sliced into long sticks and offered to baby as well.
How to make banana puree for babies
Bananas can be easily mashed or pureed for babies. Cut a peeled banana into chunks and either mash with a fork or use a blender or food mill to achieve the desired consistency.
How to prepare banana for baby-led weaning
Once a baby develops the pincer grasp, you can offer banana slices or smaller bite-sized chunks instead for your baby to practice picking up.
Where can you buy bananas?
Bananas can be found in grocery stores, markets and farmers markets. They can be purchased fresh or frozen.
When choosing which bananas to take home, consider when you’d like to eat them. Bright yellow bananas are ready to be eaten right away, but bananas with green tips will need a few more days to ripen.
Are bananas considered an allergen?
Bananas are typically not an allergen, but the proteins found in bananas are similar to those found in particular pollen (in this case, ragweed) and can trigger an allergic reaction due to cross-reactivity.
Related: Can the Early Introduction of Allergens Prevent Food Allergies?
Oral allergy syndrome
This secondary food allergy is called oral allergy syndrome (OAS), and it occurs in people who are already known to have allergies to pollen.
Allergic symptoms tend to be mild and usually occur within a few minutes after contact with these foods. Most common symptoms are itchiness and/or swelling of the mouth, lips, tongue and throat.
One way to reduce cross-reactivity with food is to heat the food (i.e baking or cooking), which helps to break down the proteins responsible for OAS.
Bananas and FPIES
Bananas can be a trigger food for a rare food allergy disorder called food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES), of which a reaction to the food consumed is delayed, about 1-4 hours afterwards.
How can you tell if a baby is having an allergic reaction to bananas?
Common allergen symptoms your baby could experience during an allergic reaction include:
If signs of wheezing, throat tightness, difficulty swallowing or trouble breathing are observed, call your pediatrician immediately.
It is rare for OAS to trigger severe throat swelling leading to difficulty swallowing or breathing.
The hallmark feature with FPIES tends to be profuse and repetitive vomiting or chronic watery diarrhea. If any of these symptoms are observed, then contact the doctor immediately.
How to help babies learn to like bananas
As your baby continues to learn to eat, you can help support their development while also helping them learn to like bananas. These techniques can also help prevent picky eating in toddlers.
Eat bananas with your baby to get them to like them
While you eat, let your baby join you at the table. This helps lay the foundation for eating and exposes them to the foods your family commonly eats. If your baby shows interest in your food, you can offer a sample.
While you model eating a banana for your baby, use simple, clear language.
Let your baby explore bananas through food play
Consider freezing mashed bananas in ice cube trays with popsicle sticks in each section to make banana ice pops.
Once frozen, offer this cold treat to your baby to suck on and enjoy. Allow them time to explore the banana as they bring it to their mouth, touch it with their fingers, tap it on their high chair tray, and rub it back and forth.
Here are some simple things you can say during this food activity:
Floor time helps baby develop eating skills
Allowing infants to lay down on the floor, roll around, and push up while on their bellies will help them develop motor skills needed to eat.
The more they practice these skills, the easier it will be to hold themselves up at the table, reach for food, and bring food to their mouths.
As babies explore safe, open spaces on the floor, offer toys for them to reach for, grasp and bring to their mouths.
As they play, clearly describe your baby’s actions:
References