Talk to me about citrus fruit...

[Longtalljosie]

Hello - we're baby led weaning and having lots of mess fun with it...

At my MILs at the weekend, DD (7 months) was offered a clementine and loved it - MIL gave me some to take back with me - but then I saw someone on here say you shouldn't give oranges for the first year.

Is that the case?

Not sure, but fwiw, I did find that DS had a bad reaction to citrus until about 18 months and then seemed to grow out of it. It was in the form of terrible, burn-like nappy rash (!) which I then discovered from posting here is not unusual. Maybe sensitivity to citrus is common for young ones? He is totally fine with citrus now.

Anyhoo -- don't worry too much. Apparently strawberries are also off limits until 12 months but I had no idea about this until it was far too late and DS has been an enthusiastic strawberry fan since about 9 months with no ill effects.

Citrus, strawberries etc belong to the foods that are more likely to cause allergies if the child is predisposed to them, but they are not forbidden- if your dd was fine eith clementine, go on. In any case, the reaction is usually rush around mouth etc, not a shock like with peanuts,I think.
DD has been having clementines and strawberries, didn't have any problem.

citrus, strawberries, etc are fine from 6 months but they can be common allergens so it is something to look out for.

Babycentre says this about them:

Citrus fruits

Citrus fruits such as orange, clementines, grapefruits, lemons and limes contain lots of vitamin C. Fruit juices and citrus fruits such as oranges should not be given before your baby is six months old. If you buy ready-prepared baby foods, check the label for citrus fruits such as lemon juice as these are often added to early weaning purees such as apple or banana. If you give fruit juice, keep it to meal times only and make sure it is very well diluted (one part juice to 10 parts water) and given in a cup or beaker, never a bottle. Drinking quickly can help reduce the risk of tooth decay from the sugars and acid which are naturally present.

Strawberries and raspberries

Seed fruits can occasionally cause an allergic reaction in children. Wait until your baby is six months before giving them. Allergic reactions to these types of fruit and vegetables are usually mild, and often just affect the mouth, causing some itching or a rash where the food touches the lips and mouth. This is called oral allergy syndrome.

That's reassuring. Thanks all