How to serve, by age
6–9 mo
Peel away the skin and white pith, deseed the segments and cut the flesh small; the segment membranes cannot be chewed yet, so take them off.
9–12 mo
Membrane-free, seedless flesh pieces for your baby to pick up.
12 mo+
Segments with the coarse outer membranes peeled away can be tried.
Choking risk: Moderate
Membranes and seeds are the choking items, and pith-wrapped pieces can be swallowed as a slippery clump. Strip the membranes early on.
If choking ever happens: act immediately — call emergency services (911 in the US) and seek emergency care. Do not wait.
Allergens
Orange is not among the eight most common food allergens (milk, egg, peanut, tree nuts, soy, wheat, fish, shellfish). Any food can cause a reaction in principle — introduce new foods one at a time, during the day, and watch your baby.
Common questions
- A red ring appeared around the mouth — allergy?
- Citrus juice commonly irritates the skin and leaves a red mark that fades once wiped clean. Spreading rash, vomiting or diarrhea means stop and ask your pediatrician.
Practical tips
- Sour varieties get refused — start with a sweet one.
- Orange juice is not a stand-in for the flesh (see Fruit Juice).
Sources
This page is general guidance assembled from the public sources above. It is not medical advice. For questions about your baby — including allergies, prematurity and any health condition — ask your pediatrician. See our medical disclaimer.