Can Babies Eat Melon?
Yes. From around 8 months, melon is a lovely juicy food, especially in summer. The one thing to respect is its shape. It's slippery and can be firm, so serve it as chunky, grippable strips rather than little balls or hard cubes.
Melon is basically summer in fruit form. It's sweet, cooling and mostly water, which babies love and which also means it turns up in fun places, like the high chair, the floor and your baby's ear. Here is how to serve it safely, plus when to start and a quick recipe.
What is a melon?
Melon is a large, sweet, juicy fruit from the gourd family. Cantaloupe and honeydew have soft, fragrant flesh, while watermelon is crisper and even more watery. All of them are eaten fresh, and the seeds and tough rind are set aside.
Melon plays nicely with creamy foods that tame its wateriness. Mash it into yogurt, or serve it alongside mashed banana for a bit more substance.
Melon nutrition for babies
Melon is light and hydrating, with a good dose of vitamin C and, in the orange kinds, vitamin A.
| Nutrient | Per 100 g (raw) |
|---|---|
| Energy | 34 kcal |
| Carbohydrate | 8.2 g |
| of which sugars | 7.9 g |
| Fibre | 0.9 g |
| Protein | 0.8 g |
| Vitamin C | 36.7 mg |
| Vitamin A | 169 mcg |
Typical values for raw cantaloupe. Source: USDA FoodData Central.
When can babies eat melon?
Melon fits in nicely from around 8 months. How you cut it matters more than anything else here:
Serve flat, chunky strips a baby can grip, or mash the softest, ripest flesh. Skip small round balls, which roll and slip.
Cut small, flat pieces once your baby is picking food up and chewing more confidently.
Small cubes are fine now, though watermelon can still be firm, so keep the pieces sensible. Soft ripe figs need barely any cutting by this age.
Choking: melon is slippery and can be surprisingly firm. Skip melon balls and round chunks for babies, serve flat strips or small pieces instead, and always sit with your baby while they eat.
Health benefits of melon for babies
Hydrating
Melon is mostly water, so it's a refreshing food on hot days and a gentle top up of fluids.
Vitamin C
It delivers vitamin C for the immune system and to help your baby absorb iron from other foods.
Vitamin A
Orange melons like cantaloupe add vitamin A, which supports eyes, skin and growth.
Melon is a great partner for foods with a bit more staying power. Pair it with oatmeal at breakfast, or browse more first fruits in our fruits guide.
How to serve melon safely
Do
- Use ripe, sweet melon.
- Remove the seeds and the rind.
- Serve flat, grippable strips for young babies.
- Wipe your baby's face afterwards.
Avoid
- Melon balls and round chunks for babies.
- The hard rind, which is a choking risk.
- Huge amounts at once, since it can loosen stools.
- Leaving your baby to eat alone.
Risks and safety
Melon is low on the allergy scale, so the two things to manage are choking and the mess. Serve it in flat, grippable pieces, keep the rind well away, and expect a watery clean up afterwards, much as you would with papaya. A little juice rash around the mouth is common and harmless, much like the mark blackberries leave behind.
A varied plate: the World Health Organization suggests a range of safe, nutritious foods from 6 months, so serve melon alongside more filling foods rather than on its own.
Easy melon recipe (8 months)
Melon and yogurt mash
Makes 2 baby portions, from 8 monthsIngredients
- A thick slice of ripe melon, seeds and rind removed
- 2 tbsp plain whole milk yogurt
Method
- Mash the soft melon flesh with a fork, or blend it for a smoother texture.
- Stir it through the yogurt.
- Serve it cool, and keep leftovers in the fridge.
Melon FAQ
When can babies eat melon?
Melon suits babies from around 8 months. It is soft and hydrating, but also slippery and slightly firm, so serve it as chunky strips your baby can grip, or mash the very ripe parts.
Which melon is best for babies?
Cantaloupe, honeydew and watermelon all work. Cantaloupe is a touch softer and higher in vitamins. Whichever you pick, use ripe fruit and take out the seeds and rind.
Is melon a choking hazard?
It can be. Melon is slippery and small round balls or firm chunks are risky. Serve flat, grippable strips for younger babies and small pieces once they are chewing well.
Can melon give my baby a rash or loose stools?
Melon is very watery, so a lot of it can loosen stools, and juice around the mouth can cause a mild rash. Both are usually harmless. Offer it in normal amounts and wipe faces after.
Sources
- Melon, Wikipedia.
- FoodData Central, U.S. Department of Agriculture.
- Infant and young child feeding, World Health Organization.
This article is general information, not medical advice. Every baby is different. Talk to your doctor, health visitor or paediatrician about your own baby, and about starting solids or any allergy concerns.
