Is there any harm in leaving rinds on melon that baby is eating?

Question

We're doing baby-led weaning. My son loves cantaloupe. He can't get enough of it. I think he likes it even better than my melons ::groan::...

Anyway, that stuff is slippery. I find that if I leave a bit of the rind on it, he gets a better grip. He knows enough to put the cantaloupe-y side in mouth, but occasionally, he will suck on the rind.

This won't hurt him, right? I wash the rind and scrub it with a vegetable brush before cutting the melon, to get any crud and pesticides off of it.

Answer 1

I don't see how it could hurt - though if you are worried about residue right on the surface, you could also take a potato peeler and just skim the outer layer off. Just be sure that you leave a big enough bit of rind that it can't be a small hard choking hazard.

Answer 2

"...I think he likes it even better than my melons" I'm sorry but I have to say that you made me laugh!   :)

As long as you keep washing it and he's not chewing/eating on the rind he'll be fine.

Answer 3

If he eats any of the rind it can upset his tummy and make him sick so it is really best to take it off so you aren't risking him eating it.  

Answer 4

*lol* There's nothing wrong with the rinds.  In all likelihood he won't eat them (though they are nice for teething).  But there is no reason not to eat them, it won't upset his stomach.  Rinds aren't poisonous.  They even pickle watermelon rinds.

PS you can also eat banana skin, its sometimes used in cooking as well.  You obviously eat citrus rind that's what's in marmalade and candied and used in cakes.

I've eaten lots of pineapple rind over the years as well.  

Most of the rest of the world eats far more parts of plants.  Lime leaves, banana leaves, etc are delicacies.

Answer 5

Its fine as long as you are washing the rinds well like you said..  

Answer 6

If your son isn't getting sick and he's been eating it for a while then I assume it's alright. And you wash it so it's even better! Your son is adorable the picture on your icon is so cute!

Answer 7

well if he eats any of it he can get sick..

but since he does kinda suck on it u should wash the cantaloupe before cutting it.

Answer 8

Obviously, he should be watched closely and it's best if you turn it around for him when he starts eating the wrong side. Otherwise, what you are doing sounds just fine. Perhaps if you are worried, you could try looking for organic produce which will be less worrisome as far as what could be on the outside of the rind.