6 Local Fruits you should be Feeding your Baby

A lot of baby websites tend to skew baby food recipes towards the more orang putih version, which is great, but did you know our local fruits are high in nutrients too? 

Feeding your little one local fruits has its benefits too. First of all they require less travel time which ensures customers receive goods at the peak of their quality. They are also easier to source and therefore more cost effective due to their short farm to table time. Besides, shouldn’t we support local?

Here are 6 local fruits you should be feeding your baby:

1. Ciku

Surprise, surprise! The ciku might not look like much, but the ripe fruit is packed with minerals including iron, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, zinc, copper and selenium. All of which are in higher amounts compared to what is found in an apple. The slightly grainy yet soft texture makes it easy to mash and natural sugars in the fruit will give your baby an extra boost of energy. However, do remember to remove the black seeds before feeding it to your baby to avoid the risk of choking. 

2. Papaya

Don’t overlook the humble papaya because this fruit contains considerable amounts of vitamin-A, B, C, and proteolytic enzymes like papain and chymopapain. Known to aid digestion due to its high water and fibre content, it is also antiviral, antifungal, and full of antibacterial properties. Each serving is packed with dietary folate that is crucial for the development and growth of babies, while vitamin A supports your baby’s vision.

3. Guava

You might not know this but guavas can be given to babies from the age of 6 months. It can be given deseeded, cooked in puree form slowly transitioning to soft cooked guava when your baby is older. It is rich in essential micronutrients such as vitamins A and C, folic acid, dietary fiber, iron, manganese, potassium, and copper. The high dietary fibre in guava helps to keep constipation at bay and is great for your baby’s gut flora.

4. Red Dragon Fruit

Dragon fruits are loaded with many essential nutrients such as Vitamin A, B1, B2, B3 and C, Iron and calcium. Another famous fruit for improving bowel movements amongst parents, although it is advisable to wait up to a year before introducing this gorgeous fruit to your little one. The red ones are generally sweeter in taste compared to the white ones making them more palatable. So if your little one is okay with the taste of it, they generally won’t put up much of a fuss. Another good point to note is the fruit’s detoxification effect that can help rid the body of harmful chemicals. 

5. Young Coconut

Coconut water has healing properties that help in curing a common cold, flu as well as fever. A great way to keep your little ones hydrated, coconut water can also help to reduce fever. So be it diarrhea, vomiting, a cold or fever, coconut water can be offered to babies in small amounts. It is refreshing and packed with Calcium, Vitamin C, Iron, Magnesium, Sodium, Potassium, Carbohydrates and Protein that is great for the body.

6. Banana

Bananas are no strangers to us. Soft and sweet, it is a super easy snack to carry around. Just peel one and scrape it with a spoon and you’re ready to feed your baby! The banana is also one of nature’s perfect foods because it contains many important nutrients like potassium and fiber. Bananas are also high in Vitamin B6, Vitamin C and Vitamin B2.

See? Local fruits are pretty cool too!

So don’t just stick to orang putih fruits because our local fruits are worth exploring also.

As always, remember to follow the three-day wait rule if you are introducing a fruit for the first time. This will help you determine if a particular fruit is suitable for your baby while ruling out any possible allergies. During this time, do not introduce a different fruit. If your baby shows any signs of discomfort, stop feeding the fruit and consult your doctor.