How to Serve Cantaloupe to Baby
Learn how to prepare cantaloupe for your baby in 8 delicious and easy ways! As a deliciously sweet fruit, Cantaloupe and all other melons, can be served to babies 6 months and up. Serve them as a baby food puree, as a solid for the finger food stage or for baby-led weaning.
Medically reviewed and co-written by Jamie Johnson, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), and Lauren Braaten, Pediatric Occupational Therapist (OT).
Cantaloupe for Baby
Looking to serve cantaloupe 🍈 to your baby, but not sure how?
Then this guide is for you!
In this guide, we will go over all the information you need in order to serve cantaloupe to your baby as a puree, as a finger food, or for baby-led weaning. Below you will learn the benefits of cantaloupe for our baby, FAQs, how to select and store cantaloupe, as well as 8 delicious and easy recipes for you to try.
First time making homemade baby food? Then, I would suggest that you start by reading my very in-depth Guide on how to Make Homemade Baby Food – which goes over all the important information such as the best cooking tools to have on hand, safe storage, how to know when baby is ready for solids, how to introduce purees, the best first foods for baby, and more! If you are doing Baby-Led Weaning, then be sure to check out my Complete Guide to Baby-Led Weaning – which covers what exactly is baby-led weaning, to every parent’s concern of baby-led weaning and choking, this guide goes over it all. I will also share how to know when baby is ready for BLW, the top 10 best first foods, a helpful sample blw feeding schedule, helpful tools to have on hand, and much much more!
Want more information? Then make sure to check out my best-selling cookbook for even more information and recipes!
Cantaloupe for Baby Video
Watch this video to get some ideas on how to serve melon to your baby!
Reasons to Love Cantaloupe for Baby
- delicious baby food purees – 6+ months
- great for baby-led weaning – 6+ months
- also great for the finger food stage – 9+ months
- full of essential nutrients for baby
- different ways for baby to eat – spoon-fed or self-feed
- easy to make – no cooking required
- recipes are great for Honeydew, Cantaloupe and other varieties of melons
Nutritional Benefits of Cantaloupe
Melons are filled with a wide variety of nutrients for your baby;
- Contain potassium, an important electrolyte for maintaining fluid balance, muscle contractions and normal heartbeat.
- High in vitamin C, which supports the immune system and helps with iron absorption.
- Cantaloupe is an excellent source of vitamin A, which is necessary for healthy eyes and skin.
- High water content helps keep your baby hydrated and relieves constipation.
How to Pick a Ripe Cantaloupe
Here’s how to pick a cantaloupe that’s perfectly ripe and ready to enjoy:
- Weight: pick up the melon and hold it in your hands. If it feels heavy for its size, you have a cantaloupe that’s close to ripe.
- Touch: a ripe cantaloupe should have the right level of firmness. It shouldn’t be as hard as a watermelon, although too soft and it may be past its prime.
- Color: if the rind on your cantaloupe has a greenish hue, it likely needs a couple more days to ripen fully. But if the rind has a beige, pale yellow hue, it’s likely ripe and ready for eating.
- Sound: give the melon a little shake. If it’s ripe, you should hear all those little seeds making a rattle.
- Scent: give it a quick sniff. Ripe cantaloupes should have a sweet, musky smell. If you don’t smell anything, it’s likely not ripe yet.
How to Store a Melon: You can store uncut, whole cantaloupe at room temperature for a couple of days. If you aren’t ready to cut your cantaloupe, you can store it in the fridge for about 5 days. If your cantaloupe isn’t ripe enough, you can keep it in a closed paper bag to accelerate the process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Whether you’re starting your baby on purees or are doing baby-led weaning, cantaloupe is a refreshing and enjoyable first food for your baby! When a baby can start on solids is determined by their own rate of development, which generally comes between 4-6 months of age for purees and or after 6 months for baby-led weaning. Some of the developmental milestones your baby needs to reach in order to start on solids include: if your baby has solid control of their head and neck, if your baby has doubled in weight, and if your baby is reaching for or opening their mouth when you eat (see my guide here). Before you start your baby’s feeding journey, you should consult with your pediatrician to make sure your child is developmentally ready.
Yes, melon can be a choking hazard, especially when served in the form of melon balls. Always serve melon in an age-appropriate way.
No, melon is not a common allergen; however, as with all foods, start with a small portion and be aware of any signs that may be an allergic reaction after introducing it.
Melon does not usually cause constipation in babies. In fact, due to its high water content, it can actually help relieve constipation.
Types of Melons
There are actually many different types of melons, including Winter Melon, Banana Melon, Canary Melon, and Galia Melon but the most common ones in the States are:
- Watermelon
- Honeydew
- Cantaloupe
Tools Needed
These tools will make it a lot easier for you to serve melon to your baby. For more of my favorite kitchen tools, make sure to check out my shop.
- Blender or Food Processor
- Storage Containers for Fridge
- highchair
- bib with catch pocket
- Baby Bowls
- Suction Baby Plates
- Baby Spoons
- Freezer Storage Tray
- Gootensil
- Saucepan
- Baking Sheet
How to Serve Melon to Baby
There are several different ways to prepare melon for your baby! You can make it into a smooth puree, a combination puree, a chunky puree for stage three, mashed and spread on toast or whole for baby-led weaning or a finger food. Here are 8 of my favorite ways to serve cantaloupe to baby:
Stage One Puree
- Basic Cantaloupe Puree
Stage Two Puree
- Cantaloupe Banana Yogurt Puree
- Cantaloupe Cauliflower Mint Puree
Stage Three Purees
- Chunky Cantaloupe Tofu Puree with Mint
Baby-Led Weaning or Finger Foods
- Cantaloupe for Baby-Led Weaning or Finger Foods: thin strips, cut into small pieces or in a small wedge.
- Chunky Cantaloupe Tofu Puree with Mint
- Cantaloupe Lemon Popsicles for Baby
- Cantaloupe Smoothie
Basic Cantaloupe Puree
This simple, yet delicious stage one puree takes all of 60 seconds to make!
Instructions (for the full recipe, see recipe card below): blend ripe pieces of cantaloupe until smooth, pour into a bowl and serve. Due to cantaloupes’ high water content, this puree will be on the thinner side.
More Ways to Serve: you can serve this Basic Cantaloupe Puree with yogurt, mixed with apple, pear, or sweet potato puree, or swirled into oatmeal, quinoa, cottage cheese or ricotta.
Cantaloupe Banana Yogurt Puree
This super creamy and thick cantaloupe puree is another easy puree that can be made in minutes. It’s great for spoon feeding to your baby or served in a reusable pouch.
Instructions (for the full recipe, see recipe card below): place cantaloupe chunks, banana and yogurt into a blender and puree for 30-60 seconds or until smooth. Pour into a baby bowl and serve.
Cantaloupe Cauliflower with Mint Puree
A tasty way to incorporate cauliflower into a baby’s diet! Gently steamed cauliflower is paired with naturally sweetened cantaloupe and rounded out with fresh mint. You can also use basil or chives in place of the mint.
Instructions (for the full recipe, see recipe card below): steam some cauliflower until fork tender. Transfer to a blender, add cantaloupe and mint, and puree until smooth.
Chunky Cantaloupe Tofu and Mint
Cantaloupe and tofu make a great team! Here we are roughly chopping both and pairing them with a sprinkle of chopped mint for an easy finger food for baby. You can use raw tofu or cook it lightly in a skillet before chopping and adding to the cantaloupe.
Instructions (for the full recipe, see recipe card below): on a cutting board, roughly chop some cantaloupe and sprouted tofu. Mix together and then sprinkle on some chopped mint or basil to the top.
Cantaloupe for Self Feeding
Cantaloupe is a good food for your baby to self-feed, whether for baby-led weaning, which happens around 6 months of age, or during the finger foods stage at 9 months.
Large Stick – 2 fingers wide (6+ months): great for babies 6+ months or just starting on solid foods. It’s best to start your baby with a bigger piece of cantaloupe, at least 2 fingers wide.
Chopped or Wedge (9+ months): when your baby’s pincer grasp has developed, you can serve chopped bite-size pieces of cantaloupe or a wedge to your baby.
Wedges or Smaller Sticks (12+ months): as your baby’s eating skills advance you can serve them wedges of cantaloupe so they can learn how to take a bite as well as smaller sticks.
Cantaloupe Lemon Popsicles
Want a fun way to serve cantaloupe to your baby on a hot day? Then try these Cantaloupe Popsicles! Made with only 4 ingredients; these popsicles will be a fun (if not a little messy) way for your baby to explore this popular fruit!
Instructions (for the full recipe, see recipe card below): blend cantaloupe, yogurt, lemon juice and sweetener (optional). Pour into small baby-friendly popsicle molds and freeze. Once frozen, take a popsicle out of the mold and hand it to your baby.
Cantaloupe Smoothie
Made with 6 simple ingredients – including one veggie – this smoothie is easy to make and even easier to drink! Great for 9+ months!
Instructions (for the full recipe, see recipe card below): place cantaloupe, frozen mango, frozen banana, frozen cauliflower, chia seeds and milk into a blender and puree until creamy. Pour into a baby-safe cup and serve.
Tips for Feeding Melon to Baby
- Buy whole melon instead of pre-cut and always wash before cutting to reduce the risk of salmonella.
- Pick a cantaloupe – by choosing a firm and symmetrical melon that is free from bumps, cuts, and dents.It should feel heavy in your hands and have a sweet scent.
- Wash First: Make sure you wash and dry your watermelon for cutting into it.
Or watch the shortened video here.
Get the recipe: Cantaloupe for Baby: Puree & BLW
Ingredients
Basic Cantaloupe Puree
- 2 cups cantaloupe, peeled, deseeded and roughly chopped
Cantaloupe Banana Yogurt Puree
- 1 cup cantaloupe, peeled, deseeded and roughly chopped
- 2 medium bananas, ripe
- 1/2 cup plain whole milk yogurt
Cantaloupe Cauliflower Mint Puree
- 1 cup cantaloupe, peeled, deseeded and roughly chopped
- 2 cups cauliflower
- 2 mint leaves
Chunky Cantaloupe Tofu and Mint
- 1/4 cup cantaloupe chunks
- 1/4 cup sprouted tofu
- 2 mint leaves, finely chopped
Cantaloupe for Self Feeding
- 1 slice cantaloupe
Canaloupe Lemon Baby Popsicles
- 2 cups cantaloupe
- 3/4 cup plain yogurt
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 2-3 tbsp agave nectar or maple syrup (optional)
- 1 cup strawberries (Optional)
Cantaloupe Smoothie
- 1 cup cantaloupe
- 1/2 cup frozen mango
- 1 medium banana, preferable frozen
- 1/4 cup frozen caulilfower florets or califlower rice
- 1/2 tsp chia seeds (optional)
- 2-3 tbsp honey (over 1 year), maple syrup or agave nectar (optiona)
- 3/4 cup milk, regular, almond, soy, cashew, oat, etc.
Instructions
Basic Cantaloupe Puree
- Place the cantaloupe into a blender.
- Puree on medium speed for 10-20 seconds or until smooth.
- Serve and enjoy!
Cantaloupe Banana Yogurt Puree
- Place the banana, cantaloupe and yogurt into a blender.
- Puree for 30-60 seconds or until smooth.
- Serve and enjoy!
Cantaloupe Cauliflower Mint Puree
- In a medium saucepan, bring 2″ of water to a boil over medium heat. Place the cauliflower into a steamer basket, cover and cook for 9-11 minutes or until tender. Reserve steamer water. Let cool slightly.
- Place the cauliflower, cantaloupe and mint into a blender and puree for 1-2 minutes on medium-high or until smooth.
- Serve and enjoy!
Chunky Cantaloupe Tofu and Mint
- Place cantaloupe and tofu on a cutting board and finely chop into very small pieces.
- Transfer the cantaloupe and tofu to a small bowl and add in mint, mix until incorporated.
- Serve and enjoy!
Cantaloupe for Self Feeding
- Serve to your baby in thick sticks, chopped, as a wedge, on the rind, or in small sticks depending on your baby's age (see graph).
Cantaloupe Lemon Popsicle
- Place the cantaloupe, yogurt, lemon juice, sweetener (if using), and the strawberries (if using) into a blender and blend on medium-high speed puree the cantaloupe mixture for 1-2 minutes or until the mixture is completely smooth.
- Using your favorite popsicle mold, pour the cantaloupe mixture into the molds until the fill line. Place in the popsicle sticks.
- Place the popsicle mold into the freezer and let freeze for at least 5 hours but preferably overnight. Once frozen, take a popsicle out of the freezer and take out of the mold. Eat and enjoy.
Creamy Cantaloupe Smoothie
- In a blender add in the cantaloupe, mango, banana, cauliflower, chia seeds, honey (over 1 year) and milk. Turn the blender on and blend for 1-2 minutes or until completely smooth.
- Once blended, pour into a small cup with a lid and serve.
Notes
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1 Comment on “How to Serve Cantaloupe to Baby”
Can the purees be frozen. I will be making my granddaughters food and I make a two weeks supply at a time. The plan is for me to make the food and my daughter will take out of the freezer of what she needs and thaw in the fridge. Baby is only a 4 weeks old right now but I’ve been stockpiling recipes and coming out of my garden after it’s planted in October.