Cantaloupe for Baby (and Big Kids)

cantaloupe cut for baby on a purple plate.

Cantaloupe for Baby (and Big Kids)

Learn safe ways to cut and serve cantaloupe to a baby (and to toddlers) with these easy options. Be sure to start with a ripe, soft melon to reduce the risk of choking.

Course Snack

Cuisine American

Prep Time 5

Total Time 5

Servings

Calories 23kcal

Author Amy Palanjian

Equipment

Ingredients

1 cantaloupe

Instructions

Cantaloupe Puree

Cut the melon in half. Scoop out the seeds with a spoon and discard .Use a knife to remove the skin. Roughly chop at least 2 cups of the melon. (You can eat the rest yourself or store it in the fridge for future use.) Add melon to a blender and blend smooth. Serve with a spoon or in a reusable pouch.

Sliced and Diced Cantaloupe

Cut the melon in half. Scoop out the seeds with a spoon and discard. Use a knife to remove the skin. 6+ months: Serve a large slice for baby-led weaning. 9+ months: Serve the fruit diced very small. 12+ months: Serve cut into thin matchsticks. 18+ months: Serve as thicker slices.

Notes

Be sure to start with a ripe, soft melon to reduce the risk of choking.
Look for a melon that gives slightly at the base and smells fragrant.
Offer cantaloupe to a 6-month-old baby as either a thick slice for baby-led weaning or as a puree.
Offer cantaloupe to a 9-month-old baby diced into very small pieces, as long as the melon is very ripe and soft.
Offer it to a 12+ month baby, as long as the melon is very ripe and soft, as matchstick pieces.
Offer larger pieces, again as long as soft and ripe, to toddlers 18+ months.
You can add fresh chunks of cantaloupe to a blender and blend smooth to make a fresh puree.
Store leftover melon or puree in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Nutrition