How to Serve Mango for Baby Led Weaning (Recipes too!)
As a baby-led weaning dietitian and mom, I’m excited to share my tips on introducing mango to your baby. Mango is a delicious and nutritious fruit and is a great choice for new eaters who are ready for solid foods. In this post, I’ll cover everything from serving mango as a finger food and a puree, storing tips, allergy information, and even a yummy mango coconut chia seed pudding recipe and a mango puree recipe. Let’s dive in!
Health Benefits of Mango
Introducing new foods is an important milestone for your baby! Mango is a perfect food for babies because it’s packed with essential nutrients, including vitamin A, vitamin C, and dietary fiber, all of which growing babies need. Plus, it’s a great first food because it’s easy to prepare and has a sweet, mild flavor that babies love.
When can babies eat mango?
Babies can eat mangoes as soon as your baby is starts solids, at 6 months of age. One of the easiest ways to introduce mango to a baby with a palmar grasp (6-9 months) is by offering slices of ripe mango the length and width of an adult pinky finger. The mango pit also makes a perfect teether for babies between 6-9 months. Smaller pieces of mango (chickpea-sized bites) can be served to babies with a pincer grasp (9+ months).
How to pick a ripe mango
Choosing a ripe mango can be tricky. The color of the mango doesn’t always reflect how ripe it is. Usually ripe mangos are yellow, red, and orange while an unripe mango will be green.
The best way to check a mango for ripeness is to apply pressure with your fingers. A ripe mango will give slightly under light pressure while an unripe mango will be hard.
How to prepare mango for babies
To prepare mango for your baby follow these steps:
- Cut the mango lengthwise with a sharp knife, on either side of the pit. You’ll end up with two pieces of mango flesh.
- Next, cut the mango into slices by cutting through the flesh and stopping before cutting through the peeling.
- Scoop out the mango slices with a large spoon and either serve the slices or cut the slices into bite-sized pieces depending on your baby’s grasp.
You can also offer the whole mango pit to your baby. Although it seems odd, mango pits are large enough to not be a choking hazard for your baby and they are the perfect teether. Often mango flesh is left on the pit after cutting, but you can also purposely leave extra flesh on the pit for your baby.
Mango pits are very slippery! You may like to roll the pit in the toppings below to add grip to the mango pit.
How to add grip to mangoes
To help your baby grip a slippery mango, roll the mango slice or pieces in chia seeds, hemp seeds, flax seeds, ground nuts, crushed cereal (ie. sugar-free Cheerios), or finely-grated coconut. These are all awesome nutrient boosters too!
Are mangoes a choking hazard for babies?
Yes, they are a choking hazard due because of how slippery they are. To reduce the risk of choking, offer your baby a soft, ripe mango because firm, unripe mangoes are also a choking hazard. Add grip with the foods listed above to reduce choking risk further.
​Is mango a common allergen?
No, allergies to mango fruit are not common. Although allergies to mango are rare, they do exist. People who are allergic to latex or pollen have also been allergic to mangoes.
Some people may have an allergic reaction to the skin of the mango or the sap found in the mango skin. As with all new foods, start with a small amount and monitor your baby for a reaction within a couple hours after ingestion. If you suspect that your baby has a mango allergy, seek medical advice.
Can babies drink mango juice?
No, avoid giving juice of any kind to babies. After your baby turns one, offering small quantities of juice (less than 4 ounces per day and diluted with water to reduce the sweetness) is okay. However, it’s best to limit fruit juice for kids of all ages because of the high sugar (even natural sugar) content.
Regular consumption of sweet food and beverages can take the place of other foods and reduce food diversity. Offering a large diversity of foods and flavors reduces the risk of health issues like obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and cavities and increases the likelihood that your baby will enjoy a diversity of foods later in life. Whole fruit offers more nutrition (added fiber) than fruit juice as well.
Mango recipes for babies
Mango Puree
Besides serving cut mango, you can serve mango puree to your baby. It’s easy to make at home using a food processor or blender.
- Wash the mango under running water.
- Cut the mango lengthwise, on either side of the pit. You’ll end up with two pieces of mango flesh.
- Next, cut the mango into cubes without cutting through the peeling. Cut through the flesh lengthwise and then cutting the other way and stopping before cutting through the peeling.
- Scoop out the mango cubes with a large spoon and place in your blender or food processor.
- Blend the mango until it reaches a smooth consistency. You can add water or breast milk or formula if you’d like a thinner consistency.
- You can serve the puree on a preloaded spoon at room temperature or chilled. Mango puree can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days, or in an ice cube tray in the freezer for up to three months.
Mango-coconut chia seed pudding
Try this mango chia pudding recipe for a delicious and super nutrient-dense (and messy!) way to serve mango to your baby. Chia seeds are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and protein. This mango chia pudding is an easy way to incorporate these nutrients into your baby’s diet. Parents and kids will love this recipe too!
Ingredients:
- 1 ripe mango, peeled and diced
- 1/2 cup coconut milk
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon lime juice
- Ripe bananas, strawberries, or other fresh fruit for topping
Instructions:
- Peel and dice the mango into small pieces.
- In a blender or food processor, blend the mango, chia seeds, coconut milk, cinnamon, and lime juice until smooth.
- Cover the bowl and place it in the refrigerator for at least two hours or overnight.
- Once the pudding has set, serve it to your baby either on a preloaded spoon or allow your baby to scoop it up with their hands. Your older kids will also enjoy it!
How to store mango
To keep your mango safe to eat and fresh, it’s important to store it properly. Mangoes can be stored in the refrigerator or at room temperature, depending on their ripeness. If the mango is ripe, store it in the refrigerator to extend its shelf life. If it’s unripe, keep it at room temperature until it ripens.
You can also store cut or pureed mango it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
Cut mango also freezes well. Peel and dice the mango, then store it in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to six months.
Best tips for serving mango to babies
- Mango is a delicious and nutritious fruit that can be introduced to your baby when they start solids at 6 months
- Mango is a ready-eat fruit that can be a great snack or addition to a meal
- Mangoes pair well with many other foods like avocado, beans, and yogurt
Looking for more recommended baby-led weaning supplies? I have it all laid out for you in this baby-led weaning supply guide. Follow our baby-led weaning journey on instagram @mydietitian.friend!
One Comment