What fruit screams summertime? Watermelon, of course! Here are some ideas for trying this colorful fruit with your infant or toddler.
Infants: Watermelon is a great fruit to support oral motor development and exposure to naturally sweet flavors, all with minimal prep!
- Watermelon Strips: As a pediatric feeding and swallowing specialist, I recommend serving watermelon in serrated strip shapes. This makes it easier for your baby to grasp the slippery fruit and safely explore its texture. Watermelon may seem simple, but it actually challenges a baby's mouth with three different textures.
- The thin juice
- The soft, watery flesh
- The occasional flexible white seeds
- Expert Tip: If a baby hasn't mastered the oral motor skills to manage all three of these textures, it can lead to coughing or even choking. That's why proper preparation is key. Use the ezpz Baby-Led Weaning Food Cutters to slice the watermelon into serrated strips. This shape makes it easier for baby to place it onto their gum line to better learn how to chew and swallow safely.
Toddlers: One of the best ways to get picky toddlers to try new fruits is to make it fun and novel. Here is an idea, with only a few minutes of prep needed.
- Popsicle Mold: Watermelon juice and pulp are perfect for adding into a popsicle mold. The color is bright, and the taste is refreshing. Check out our Watermelon Basil Pop recipe for more inspo!
- Expert Tip: Use the ezpz Happy Pops, which are a silicone popsicle mold designed for children 24+ months. They have frozen sensory bumps on the tip to support feeding and chewing development, perfect for expanding textures and temperatures for picky eaters!
What are some of your baby / toddler’s favorite fruits? #ezpzfun #watermelon
