Kiwi

Kiwi can start when your baby is ready for solids, usually around 6 months. It comes from East Asia and is widely grown in New Zealand. There the fruit used to be called gooseberry. It was later sold as kiwifruit, after the small brown flightless bird of New Zealand.

It gives carbohydrate, fiber and water. Minerals and vitamins include potassium, magnesium, calcium, folate, and vitamins K, C and B6. Vitamin C helps iron absorption and immunity. These nutrients support the gut microbiome, bone density and brain development.

Ripeness

Kiwi should be ripe, soft and mash under light pressure. Unripe kiwi can irritate the mouth. Serve a modest amount at a time and together with other foods.

Skin

The skin of every kiwi variety is edible and rich in fiber and antioxidants. Wash it well, since it may hold pesticide residue. Half-peeled kiwi is easier for a baby to hold.

Slippery pieces

After 9 months, try large bite-sized pieces or thin slices when kiwi gets slippery. If it slides too much, roll it in shredded coconut, breadcrumbs or finely ground nuts.

Kiwi juice

A small amount of kiwi juice can be given to drink once your child is past 12 months. For regular sweet drinks, waiting until the second birthday is better.

Kiwi flesh can be firm and slippery. These two traits raise the choking risk. Pick ripe, soft fruit. Cut it in a way that suits your child's age. Stay close at meals, within arm's reach.

Kiwi is not counted as a common allergen. Even so, kiwi allergy is reported more and more often. Reactions range from mild to severe. Kiwi naturally contains an enzyme called actinidin, and some people are sensitive to it.

Kiwi can also be a problem for people with latex-fruit syndrome, meaning an allergy to avocado, banana, or chestnut. Proteins in kiwi can cross-react with those in stone fruits, peanut, and tree nuts. Still, most people with kiwi allergy can eat those foods safely. Birch or beech pollen allergy can lead to oral allergy syndrome, which commonly feels like a short itch, burn, or tingle around the mouth. Peeling or cooking can lessen the reaction.

Kiwi's acid may leave a harmless red patch near the mouth and may make diaper rash worse. This is not an allergy. A thin layer of barrier cream on the face before the meal can help. Start with a small amount the first time.