How to Serve Watermelon for Baby Led Weaning (BLW)

Watermelon was one of my baby’s favorite first foods and still is! Watermelon is packed with necessary nutrients like tons of water, antioxidants, fiber, and vitamins. 

Here you’ll learn how to serve watermelon at each stage of baby-led weaning, if watermelon is a choking hazard or an allergen, the health benefits of watermelon and more!

When can babies have watermelon?

Watermelon is the perfect first finger food! It can be offered to your baby as soon as they are showing signs of readiness to start solid foods (around 6 months of age). 

How to choose the best watermelon?

I always have a hard time remembering how to choose the best watermelon when I’m at the grocery store. If you’re not pressed for time, it’s best to choose a whole watermelon rather than pre-cut. Pre-cut watermelon is more susceptible to bacteria like salmonella. 

Here are some tips to pick out a juicy, fresh whole watermelon:

• Shape: look for a symmetrical watermelon without dents or cuts
• Spot: look for a more yellow than white spot, which is the field (ground) spot where the watermelon has been resting on the ground as it grows
• Feel: gently press into the rind. Watermelon rinds should feel firm and not give in to pressure
• Weight: a ripe and juicy watermelon will be heavy for its size
• Sound: a good watermelon will make a deep sound, instead of a hollow sound when tapped 

When is watermelon season?

Watermelon season is May through September. However, the best watermelons will be in grocery stores in July and August.

What kind of watermelon is best for babies?

A ripe, juicy, seedless watermelon is perfect for babies. If your watermelon does have black seeds in the flesh, be sure to pick them out before serving to your baby. Small, soft, white watermelon seeds are okay for you baby to have.

Ripe watermelon should be easily squished. You can test this by squishing a small piece between your fingers or between the roof of your mouth and tongue.

How to serve watermelon to babies doing baby-led weaning

There are a few options to serving watermelon to your baby. Always wash the ripe melon before serving. Read below to learn how to safely serve watermelon to your baby depending on how old they are.

How to serve watermelon to babies 6-8 months old

To offer your 6-8 month old baby watermelon, you can do it a few different ways. You can serve it on the rind or in watermelon sticks.

How to serve watermelon on the rind to babies 6-8 months old

When watermelon is served on the rind, the rind will be acting more as a teether and as an unbreakable food for baby to practice chewing skills and strengthen the tongue.

To serve watermelon on the rind follow these steps:

1.  Wash the outside of the watermelon with water. 
2. Cut the watermelon into 1 inch wide, and at least 2 inch long pieces with a small amount of watermelon flesh left on the rind. 
3. Serve to baby!

How to serve watermelon off the rind to babies 6-8 months

For babies closer to 8 months of age, or those that have stronger biting skills, a watermelon stick the size and length of two adult fingers can be served. You may also serve a larger piece of watermelon off the rind about the size and shape of a deck of cards.

How to serve watermelon to babies 9-14 months old

For 9-14 month old babies offer watermelon sticks the length and size of two adult fingers together or cut into bite-sized, small pieces. Around 9 months of age, most babies develop the pincer grasp which makes it easier for them to pick up bite-sized pieces of food.

You can still offer watermelon on the rind but at this age your baby may be strong enough to bite a piece of the rind off. Remain calm if your baby does take a bite of the rind. Allow them to work it out and consider removing the rest of the rind and cutting the watermelon into the bite-sized pieces.

How to serve watermelon to babies 15+ months of age

By 15 months old you can serve watermelon in small, bite-sized pieces or in traditional watermelon slices with the rind on. Watermelon rinds are edible and are a great way to get teething relief for babies and toddlers.

Watermelon popsicles are also a great way to get your teething toddler relief. Scroll down for a watermelon popsicle recipe!

Is watermelon healthy for babies?

Definitely! Watermelon is a good source of the powerful antioxidant lycopene which protects the body’s cells from damage.  It is also high in beta carotene which supports immune function and an amino acid (protein) called citrulline that shows promise in promoting healthy blood pressure.

Watermelon is full of water (who knew?!) and is perfect for munching on during those hot summer days when water needs increase.

Is watermelon a good source of vitamin C?

Yes! The juices of watermelon are full of vitamin C. This vitamin C helps support babies’ immune system. Vitamin C also helps increase iron absorption from plant-sources like quinoa, lentils, beans, leafy seeds, chia seeds, and hemp seeds. 

It’s important to focus on iron-rich foods for babies and toddlers. Babies have iron stores after birth that become depleted around 6 months of age (about the time solid foods are introduced). 

Need help prioritizing iron in your baby’s meals? I have created a 12 week meal plan that includes iron-rich foods at each meal! The meal plan also includes grocery lists and products that I used for my baby when starting solids. 

Is watermelon a choking hazard for babies?

Watermelon is not a common choking hazard for babies and kids, but any food can be choked on. Watermelon is a mixed consistency food which means there are solid parts that must be chewed and parts that are liquid. This mixed consistency can be difficult for younger babies to manage. 

Watermelon seeds also pose an aspiration risk. Remove any hard, black seeds before serving to your baby. Follow the serving guidelines above based on your baby’s age to minimize the risk of choking. 

Because of watermelon’s high water content, expect young babies to cough and gag on the watermelon. This is because water moves so quickly through the mouth and throat and babies need time to learn how to manage water’s consistency. Don’t worry, gagging and coughing is a completely normal, and protective part of starting solid foods. 

Are watermelon allergies common? 

No, watermelon allergies are not one of the top 9 common allergens. However, people with oral allergy syndrome, or grass or ragweed allergies may be sensitive to watermelon. 

As with any new food it’s a good idea to start with a small amount the first few times you serve it. Monitor your baby for an allergic reaction and increase the quantity of new foods in future meals. 

Does watermelon cause diarrhea?

Yes, it can. Watermelon has a high water content and it can cause looser stools. Your baby’s poop may also have a red-tinge after your baby ate the red-fleshed watermelon. Don’t worry this is normal!

Can watermelon help relieve constipation?

Yes! On the flip-side, if your baby is constipated, watermelon can help loosen stools and get babies pooping regularly again.

How to freeze and store watermelon

You can store a whole watermelon at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the fridge for 2 weeks. Once you cut into the fresh fruit, store in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the refrigerator. 

Is your watermelon too big to cut all at once? You can cut one half of the watermelon and wrap the other half tightly with plastic wrap and store in the fridge. Be sure to cut and consume the uncut half within 5 days. 

My favorite watermelon recipes

Learn how to serve more new foods to your baby by browsing the baby-led weaning blog and following my baby’s journey by following @mydietitian.friend on Instagram!

Best Tips for Serving Watermelon to Babies

We covered a lot in this post. Here are the highlights when it comes to watermelon and babies:

• Babies can have watermelon when first starting solids
• Choose a ripe, easy to chew watermelon for babies during watermelon season (May-September)
• Watermelon is a healthy food for babies full of water, vitamin C, and antioxidants
• Follow serving suggestions for watermelon based on your baby’s age to reduce choking risk
• Watermelon is not a common choking hazard
• Watermelon is not a common allergen
• Watermelon can cause diarrhea or help relieve constipation due to its high water content
• Watermelon can be pureed and added to yogurt or other purees or made into yummy popsicles for teething relief