Infants

Some babies are ready to begin their transition into solid foods as early as 4 months old. Because the banana is easily digestible, mild-flavored and smooth-textured, it is often one of the first solid foods fed to infants. Mashed or pureed bananas make an ideal start for this exciting step in a baby's diet.

Ripe bananas are best used for infants because they are softer to consume and contain readily digestible sugars, which are converted from starches during the banana's ripening process. Bananas are typically identified as fully ripe when brown specks appear on the peel.

Parents know that babies can be very selective eaters. The taste and feel of foods are two of the main attributes under the child's tough scrutiny. The sweet taste and smooth feel of bananas often pass the test for infants and make bananas a very desirable part of their diets. As a perfect weaning food, mashed bananas can give way to chunks or whole fruit pieces as a baby develops. Serving bananas is an excellent way for children of this age to be introduced to good eating habits.