Allergen note
Oranges are not a common allergen, though the acid in juice can cause a red rash around the mouth that is usually harmless. Juice is not recommended before 12 months; after that, offer a small amount with a meal and watch for any reaction.
How to serve
From 12 months, pieces of whole orange are the better choice. If you offer juice, give 100% juice, no more than about 120 ml4 oz a day, in an open cup with a meal, and never in a bottle or at bedtime.
Preparation
Choose pasteurized 100% orange juice with no added sugar, and skip fruit drinks, nectars and unpasteurized fresh-pressed juice from the store. If you squeeze it at home, wash the oranges first and serve it right away; diluting it with plenty of water is a good habit.
Texture and choking risk
Juice is not a typical choking hazard, but toddlers can cough and sputter if they gulp. Offer small sips from an open cup while your child sits upright, and don't let them carry a cup around all day, which also harms their teeth.
Sources: cdc.gov · cdc.gov · healthychildren.org · healthychildren.org · nhs.uk · nhs.uk
Starting ages are typical guidance for healthy, full-term babies who show signs of readiness. Your paediatrician may advise differently, especially where there is a family history of allergy.
Recipes with orange juice
Track first tastes and reactions
Log when your child first tries orange juice, note any reaction and see it in the allergen tracker.
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