Can I drink coconut water for babies?

Coconut water is often seen as a drink that has many health benefits, including for babies. Even though you have heard this advice, you may still hesitate to give coconut water to babies. Actually, can you give your little one coconut water?

Can I give coconut water for babies?

Coconut water is not ordinary water with the added taste of coconut. Coconut water is a clear liquid found in green coconuts and can be drunk.

The coconut water in green coconut fruit is different from coconut milk. Coconut milk is not produced from green coconuts, but from grated dark brown flesh.

Unlike clear coconut water, coconut milk has a white color resembling milk.

Coconut water is predicted to have good benefits to help restore the body's condition when you are sick.

That is why babies who are sick or recovering from illness are advised to drink coconut water.

The question now is, is it okay for babies to drink coconut water? Well, the short answer, of course, is fine.

It's just that, there are certain age rules if you want to give coconut water to babies.

New babies are allowed to drink coconut water when they are more than 6 months after starting to consume baby drinks and food other than exclusive breastfeeding.

Ideally you can give it around the age of 6-8 months or at the same time the baby starts trying complementary foods (complementary foods).

Of course, the provision of coconut water cannot be arbitrary and must be adjusted to the baby's complementary feeding schedule.

What are the nutrients in coconut water?

Interestingly, coconut water is considered to contribute various benefits that are good for the health of the baby's body.

Launching from the Mother and Baby page, coconut water is good for preventing dehydration due to illness or diarrhea because it is rich in electrolytes.

Judging from its nutritional content, 100 milliliters (ml) of coconut water contains about 17 calories of energy, 3.8 grams (gr) of carbohydrates, 0.2 grams of protein, and 0.1 grams of fat.

Not only that, according to Indonesian Food Composition Data, coconut water is also equipped with 15 milligrams (mg) of calcium, 8 mg of phosphorus, 0.2 mg of iron, 1 mg of sodium, 149 mg of potassium, 25 ml of magnesium, and 1 mg of vitamin C.

Coconut water is rich in electrolytes, such as potassium, magnesium and calcium, which help contribute benefits and support the function of the body's organs.

Its low sugar and calorie content also adds to the list of benefits when giving coconut water to babies.

This drink is also predicted to maintain heart health, lower blood pressure, relieve constipation, a source of antioxidants, and a source of good hydration for the body.

So, apart from giving lots of breast milk or infant formula and drinking water for babies after the age of 6 months, coconut water can also be another option.

In fact, a series of nutritional content in coconut water can also help meet the baby's nutritional needs, thereby reducing the risk of nutritional problems in babies.

How to give coconut water to babies

Coconut water can be given to babies in various ways, either given directly by drinking it or processed into the baby's solid food menu.

You can serve processed coconut water in the form of food or drinks as the main meal menu or baby snack.

You can also make a snack, namely pieces of fruit mixed with head water and yogurt for babies.

Providing coconut water can help optimize hydration for babies, especially when the weather is hot.

But be careful, coconut water can trigger allergies

Besides being drunk directly, coconut water can also be processed with other solid foods as breakfast, lunch, or dinner for your little one.

However, you should still be careful before giving coconut water to babies. First, make sure the baby does not have any allergies to coconut and all its preparations.

To find out, wait a few days after your baby first tries drinking coconut water, before switching to other types of new foods and drinks.

If you do have allergies, usually the symptoms will appear a few days later. This means that you can no longer provide coconut and its processed products for your little one.

However, if your little one seems fine and likes him instead, then there's nothing to worry about.