Baby foods, one at a time

When to introduce each food, how to prepare it for purées and baby-led weaning, and what to watch for. Practical answers, minus the panic. Seasoning them? See baby-safe spices & herbs →

🖨️ Want it on the fridge? Grab the free printable first-foods checklist & allergen tracker →

New to solids? Start with the best first foods →

Fruits

🥭
AamrasFrom about 6 months
🍈
AbiuAround 6 months
🍒
Acerola6 months+
🟠
AchachaAround 6 months
🟡
AckeeAround 9 months
🟠
AguajeAround 6 months
🍎
AppleAround 6 months
🍎
ApplesauceFrom about 6 months
🍑
ApricotAround 6 months, once baby is starting solids and can handle very soft mashed or thinly sliced fruit.
🟡
ArazáAround 6 months, in small amounts
🫐
Aronia (chokeberry)Around 6 months, cooked
🍐
Asian pearAround 6 months
🥑
AvocadoAround 6 months
🧃
Baby food pouchesFrom about 6 months
🥭
BacuriAround 6 months
🟤
Bael fruit8 months+
🍌
BananaAround 6 months
🥭
BaobabAround 6 months
🔴
Barberry (zereshk)Around 6 months
🟢
BilimbiNot recommended for babies
🟤
Black sapoteAround 6 months
🫐
BlackberryAround 6 months
🫐
BlueberriesAround 6 to 8 months, smashed or halved
🫐
BoysenberryAround 6 months
🍋
Buddha's hand citronAround 9 months (as a flavoring)
🍫
Cacao fruit pulpAround 6 months (pulp only)
🍋
Calamansi6 months+
🫐
Camu camuAround 6 months, strained
🍮
CanistelAround 6 months
🍈
CantaloupeAround 6 months
🍈
Cempedak6 months+
🍒
Che fruitAround 6 months
🍈
CherimoyaAround 6 months
🍒
CherriesAround 9 months
🍊
ClementineAround 9 months, once baby handles soft finger foods
🟠
CloudberryAround 6 months
🍅
CoconaAround 6 months
🍒
Cornelian cherryAround 6 months
🔴
CranberryAround 6 months
🥭
CupuaçuAround 6 months, once baby is ready for solids
🫐
CurrantsAround 6 months, cooked
🟢
Custard appleAround 6 months
🟤
DatesAround 6 months, as a smooth pitted paste stirred into food
🫐
DewberryAround 6 months
🍈
Dragon fruitAround 6 months
🍑
Dried apricotsAround 9 months
🟡
DurianAround 6 months, seed removed
🫐
ElderberryAround 9 months, cooked and strained only
🥝
FeijoaAround 6 months
🟤
FigAround 6 months
🍋
Finger limeAround 6 months
🍈
Gac fruitAround 9 months, small amounts
🫐
GooseberryAround 6 months
🔴
Goumi berryAround 6 months
🟡
GranadillaAround 6 months
🍊
GrapefruitAround 9 months, once baby is picking up small finger foods
🍇
GrapesAround 6 months, always quartered lengthwise
🍌
Green bananaAround 6 months, cooked
🥭
Green mangoAround 6 months, cooked
🟡
Ground cherryAround 9 months
🍒
GrumichamaAround 6 months
🥑
GuacamoleFrom about 6 months
🍈
GuavaAround 6 months
🟢
GuinepBest delayed; pulp mashed and seed removed
🫐
Haskap (honeyberry)Around 6 months
🍈
Honeydew melonAround 6 months
🫐
HuckleberryAround 6 months
🍏
IlamaAround 6 months
🍇
JaboticabaAround 6 months
🍇
JabuticabaAround 9 months, pulp only
🍈
JackfruitAround 9 months, once baby is picking up soft small pieces
🫐
JamunAround 6 months, once baby is starting solids
🔴
JocoteAround 6 months
🫐
JostaberryAround 6 months
🔴
JujubeAround 9 months
🟢
June plumAround 6 months, ripe
🫐
Kawakawa berryAround 9 months
🍌
KeleweleFrom about 9 months
🥭
KeppelAround 6 months
🟠
Kiwano (horned melon)Around 18 months
🥝
KiwiAround 6 months
🟣
KokumFrom around 9 months, as soaked, diluted flavoring
🍊
KumquatAround 9 months
🟡
LangsatAround 9 months
🍋
LemonAround 6 months, as a splash of juice or zest in cooking
🍋
LimeAround 6 months, as a splash of juice or zest in cooking
🔴
LingonberryAround 6 months, cooked
🫐
LoganberryAround 6 months
🟤
LonganAround 6 months
🍑
LoquatAround 6 months
🟡
LucumaAround 6 months
🍈
LycheeAround 6 months, seed removed and finely chopped
🟠
Mamey sapoteAround 6 months, seed removed
🥭
MangoAround 6 months
🟣
MangosteenAround 6 months
🍈
MarangAround 6 months
🫐
MarionberryAround 6 months
🍐
MedlarAround 9 months (bletted, deseeded)
🍈
MelonAround 6 months
🫐
MulberryAround 6 months
🍇
Muscadine grapeAround 9 months, quartered and deseeded
🟡
NanceAround 9 months
🍇
NannyberryAround 6 months
🟠
NaranjillaAround 6 months
🍑
NectarineAround 6 months
🍊
OrangeAround 9 months
🍎
Otaheite appleAround 9 months
🍍
Pandanus fruitAround 9 months, pulp scraped from the fibers
🍈
PapayaAround 6 months
🟣
Passion fruitAround 9 months
🥭
PawpawAround 6 months
🍑
PeachAround 6 months
🍐
PearAround 6 months
🍈
Pepino melonAround 6 months
🟡
PequiAround 12 months
🟠
PersimmonAround 6 months
🍮
Persimmon pudding (baby-safe)Around 9 months
🫐
PhalsaAround 9 months, mashed and strained
🍍
PineappleAround 6 months
🍌
PlantainAround 6 months, once cooked soft
🫐
PlumAround 6 months, when baby is ready to start solids
🔴
PomegranateAround 9 months, arils crushed into food or a little juice mixed in; whole arils only for older, confident chewers under supervision
🍊
PomeloAround 9 months, once baby is comfortable with pincer-grasp finger foods
⚠️
Pond appleNot recommended
🌵
Prickly pear (cactus fruit)Around 9 months
🟤
PruneAround 6 months, as a smooth puree
🍒
PulasanAround 6 months
🍐
QuinceAround 6 months (cooked)
🍇
RaisinsAround 12 months
🔴
RambutanAround 6 months, seed removed and finely chopped
🫐
RaspberryAround 6 months
🍈
Ripe jackfruitAround 6 months
🍎
Rose appleAround 6 months
🫐
SafouAround 6 months
🐍
SalakAround 6 months
🫐
SalmonberryAround 6 months, mashed
🍑
SantolAround 6 months
🟤
SapodillaAround 6 months
🟠
Sea buckthornAround 6 months, cooked
🍇
Sea grapeAround 9 months
🫐
ServiceberryAround 6 months
🥤
SmoothieFrom about 6 months
🌺
Sorrel (roselle) stewedAround 9 months
🍈
Soursop6 months, once baby is ready for solids
🟣
Star apple6 months+
Star fruitOffer occasionally, check with your pediatrician
🍓
Strawberry (smashed)Around 6 months
🟢
Sugar appleAround 6 months, seeds removed
🔴
Sumac-ade (staghorn)Around 12 months, not before
🍅
TamarilloAround 6 months
🟤
TamarindFrom around 6 months, as strained seedless pulp
🍊
TangeloAround 9 months
🫐
TayberryAround 6 months
🫐
ThimbleberryAround 6 months
🍊
Ugli fruit6 months+
🍉
WatermelonAround 6 months
🍈
White sapoteAround 6 months
🫐
WineberryAround 6 months
🫐
WojapeAround 6 months, strained
🟤
Wood appleAround 9 months
🥥
Young coconutSoft jelly from around 6 months
🍋
YuzuAround 6 months (in cooking)

Vegetables

🎃
Acorn squashAround 6 months
🌿
AgrettiAround 6 months
🥬
Amaranth callaloo (stewed)Around 6 months
🥬
Amaranth leavesAround 6 months
🌶️
Anaheim PepperAround 6 months
🥕
ArracachaAround 6 months
🥬
ArtichokeAround 9 months, once baby is comfortable with soft chopped finger foods
🥬
ArugulaAround 6 months
🥒
Ash gourdAround 6 months
🥬
AsparagusAround 6 months, cooked soft
🍆
Baba ganoushFrom about 6 months, as a soft, mild, lightly-salted spread
🎋
Bamboo shootsAround 9 months, always fully cooked
🍲
Bamia okra stewAround 9 months
🌸
Banana blossomAround 9 months
🌶️
Banana PepperAround 6 months
🍄
Beech mushroomAround 9 months
🟣
BeetAround 6 months
🫑
Bell pepperAround 6 months, cooked soft and peeled
🥒
Bitter melonAround 9 months
🌿
Bitterleaf6 months+
🧄
Black garlicAround 9 months, tiny amounts
Black radishFrom about 9 months
🥬
Bok choyAround 6 months
💠
BorageNot recommended in the first year
🥒
Bottle gourdAround 6 months
🥔
BreadfruitAround 6 months
🥦
BroccoliAround 6 months
🥦
BroccoliniAround 6 months
🥬
Brussels sproutsAround 9 months
🥕
BurdockAround 9 months
🎃
Buttercup SquashAround 6 months
🎃
Butternut squashAround 6 months, when baby shows signs of readiness
🥬
CabbageAround 6 months
🥬
CallalooAround 6 months
🎃
Candy Roaster SquashAround 6 months
🌿
CardoonFrom about 9 months
🎃
Carnival SquashAround 6 months
🥕
CarrotAround 6 months, cooked soft
🥔
CassavaAround 6 months, always peeled and fully cooked
🌿
Cassava leavesAround 9 months
🥬
CauliflowerAround 6 months
🥬
Cavolo neroAround 6 months
🥬
CeleriacAround 6 months
🥬
CeleryAround 9 months
🥬
CeltuceAround 6 months
🥕
ChakalakaAround 9 months, mild and low-salt
🍄
Chanterelle mushroomAround 9 months
🥬
ChayaAround 6 months, only well-boiled
🥒
ChayoteAround 6 months, once cooked soft
🥬
Chayote shootsAround 6 months
🍅
Cherry tomatoesAround 6 months, always quartered lengthwise
🎃
ChilacayoteAround 6 months
🥬
Chinese celeryAround 6 months
🥔
Chinese yamAround 6 months
🌸
Chive BlossomAround 6 months
🌿
ChivesAround 6 months
🟠
ChontaduroAround 9 months, always long-boiled
🥬
Choy sumAround 6 months
🥬
Chrysanthemum greensAround 6 months
🧅
Cipollini onionsAround 6 months
🫛
Cluster beans6 months+
🥬
Collard greensAround 6 months
🌿
Colocasia leavesAround 9 months
🌽
CornAround 9 months
🍄
Cremini mushroomAround 9 months
🥔
CrosneAround 6 months
🎃
Crown Prince SquashAround 6 months
🫑
Cubanelle PepperAround 6 months
🥒
CucumberAround 6 months, as a large peeled spear or grated
🥕
DaikonAround 6 months
🌿
Dandelion greensAround 6 months
🎃
Delicata squashAround 6 months
🥬
Drumstick (moringa pod)Around 9 months
🥢
Drumstick pods (moringa)6 months+
🥬
Efo riroAround 9 months
🍆
EggplantAround 6 months, peeled and cooked very soft
🍠
Elephant foot yamAround 6 months, well cooked
🧄
Elephant garlicAround 6 months
🥬
EndiveAround 6 months
🍄
EnokiAround 9 months
🍆
Fairy tale eggplantAround 6 months
🌿
FennelAround 6 months, once baby is showing signs of readiness for solids
🌿
FiddleheadsAround 9 months, fully cooked
🥬
Fluted pumpkin leaves6 months+
🍟
French friesFrom about 12 months
🥒
Fuzzy MelonAround 6 months
🥬
Gai lan (Chinese broccoli)Around 6 months
🍆
Garden egg (African eggplant)Around 6 months
🧄
GarlicAround 6 months, cooked into dishes
🌿
Garlic scapesAround 6 months
🥬
GomenAround 9 months
🌿
Good King HenryAround 6 months
🍆
Graffiti eggplantAround 6 months
🫛
Green beansAround 6 months
🟢
Green papayaAround 6 months
🫛
Guaje seedsAround 9 months
🫛
Guar BeansAround 6 months
🥔
Hash brownsFrom about 9 months (many wait to 12 months for lower sodium)
🌴
Hearts of palmAround 9 months, once baby is comfortable picking up soft small pieces
🫛
Helda BeansAround 6 months
🎃
Honeynut SquashAround 6 months
🥦
HuauzontleAround 6 months
🌽
HuitlacocheAround 9 months, always cooked
🥒
Ivy gourdAround 6 months
🍆
Japanese eggplantAround 6 months
🍠
Japanese sweet potatoAround 6 months
🎃
Jarrahdale PumpkinAround 6 months
🥔
JicamaAround 9 months
🎃
Kabocha squashAround 6 months
🥬
KaleAround 6 months
🥬
KangkongFrom about 6 months
🥒
KantolaAround 9 months
🥒
KarelaAround 9 months
🌿
KatukNot recommended for babies
🌶️
KimchiAround 12 months, and rinsed to cut the salt and chili heat.
🍄
King oyster mushroomAround 9 months
🥬
KohlrabiAround 6 months
🥬
Kohlrabi greens6 months+
🥬
KomatsunaAround 6 months
🌿
KombuAround 6 months, to flavor
🥬
Lamb's lettuceAround 6 months
🧅
LeekAround 6 months
🍄
Lion's mane mushroomAround 9 months
🍅
Lomi tomato (salmon-free)Fresh tomato-onion base from around 9 months
🫛
Long beanFrom about 6 months
🪷
Lotus rootAround 6 months
🫑
MahshiAround 9 months
🍄
MaitakeAround 9 months
🥬
Malabar spinachFrom about 6 months
🥔
MalangaAround 6 months
🍌
MangúAround 6 months
🍁
Maple-braised parsnipAround 6 months
🥔
MashuaAround 6 months
🍄
Matsutake mushroomAround 9 months
🥬
MibunaAround 6 months
🥬
Miner's lettuceAround 6 months
🥬
MizunaAround 6 months
🌿
MolokhiaAround 6 months
🥬
Molokhia leavesAround 9 months
🍄
MorelAround 9 months, fully cooked
🌿
MoringaAround 6 months
🥬
MorogoAround 9 months, boiled very soft and chopped finely
🌶️
MuhammaraAround 6 months
🍄
MushroomAround 9 months, cooked fully and chopped small
🥬
Mustard greensAround 6 months
🍠
Nagaimo6 months+
🍄
Nameko mushroomAround 9 months
🥬
Napa cabbageAround 6 months
🌺
Nasturtium flowerAround 9 months, small amounts
🥬
NdoléAround 12 months, and only after peanut has been introduced and tolerated
🌿
NettleAround 6 months
🥬
New Zealand spinachAround 6 months, blanched
🌵
Nopales (cactus)Around 6 months
🥔
OcaAround 6 months
🫛
OkraAround 6 months, once cooked very soft
🫒
Olives9 months and up, in small amounts
🧅
OnionAround 6 months, cooked
🌿
Orach6 months+ (cooked, small amounts)
🌿
OracheAround 6 months
🍄
Oyster mushroomAround 9 months
🌶️
Padrón PepperAround 6 months
🥕
Parsley rootAround 6 months
🥕
ParsnipAround 6 months
🥒
ParwalAround 6 months
🥒
Pattypan SquashAround 6 months
🟢
Pea eggplantFrom about 9 months
🌱
Pea shootsAround 6 months
🧅
Pearl onionsAround 6 months
🟢
PeasAround 6 months
🌿
Perilla leafAround 6 months
🫑
Pimento pepperAround 6 months
🌶️
Poblano PepperAround 6 months
🍠
PoiAround 6 months, freshly made
🍄
Porcini mushroomAround 9 months
🍄
PortobelloAround 9 months
🥔
PotatoAround 6 months
🎃
PumpkinAround 6 months
🎃
Pumpkin leaves6 months+
🥬
PuntarelleFrom about 9 months
🍠
Purple sweet potatoAround 6 months
🌿
PurslaneAround 6 months
🥬
QuelitesAround 6 months, cooked very soft and finely chopped
🥬
RadicchioFrom about 6 months
🔴
RadishAround 9 months
🧅
RampsAround 9 months
🥬
RapiniAround 6 months
🍆
RatatouilleAround 6 months
🌱
Raw sproutsOnly if cooked through, around 12 months
🎃
Red Kuri SquashAround 6 months
🌿
RhubarbAround 9 months, once baby handles cooked, tart purees and soft-cooked veg
🥒
Ridge gourdAround 6 months
🥬
Romaine lettuceAround 9 months
🥦
RomanescoAround 6 months
🌺
Roselle (hibiscus calyx)Around 9 months
🥔
RutabagaAround 6 months
🥕
SalsifyAround 6 months
🌿
SamphireAround 9 months
🥬
SauerkrautAround 9 months
🥬
Savoy cabbageFrom about 6 months
🧅
ScallionAround 6 months, cooked
🥕
ScorzoneraAround 9 months
🌿
Sea beetAround 6 months
🫧
Sea grapesAround 9 months
🥬
Sea kaleAround 6 months
🍙
SeaweedAround 6 months, small amounts only
🧅
ShallotAround 6 months
🍄
ShiitakeAround 9 months
🌶️
Shishito PepperAround 6 months
🥕
SkirretAround 6 months
🥒
Snake gourdAround 6 months
🥬
SorrelAround 6 months, cooked
🎃
Spaghetti squashAround 6 months
🥬
SpinachAround 6 months, cooked and finely chopped or pureed
🌼
Squash blossomAround 6 months
🫘
Stink beanAround 9 months
🍄
Straw mushroomAround 9 months
🫛
Sugar snap peasAround 6 months
🥔
SunchokeAround 6 months
🎃
Sweet Dumpling SquashAround 6 months
🍠
Sweet potatoAround 6 months
🥬
Sweet potato greensAround 6 months
🥬
Swiss chardAround 6 months, cooked soft with tough stems removed and leaves finely chopped
🍠
TaroAround 6 months, always fully cooked
🍃
Taro leaf6 months+ (fully cooked)
🥔
Tater totsFrom about 12 months
🥬
TatsoiAround 6 months
🟢
Thai eggplantFrom about 6 months
🥒
TindaAround 6 months
🥬
Tokyo bekanaAround 6 months
🍅
TomatilloAround 6 months, cooked
🍅
TomatoAround 6 months
🎃
Turban SquashAround 6 months
🥔
TurnipAround 6 months
🥬
Turnip greensAround 6 months
🍠
Ube (purple yam)Around 6 months, cooked soft
🥔
UllucoAround 6 months
🌿
Upland cressAround 6 months
🍲
Vegetable tagineFrom about 9 months
🌿
WakameAround 6 months
🌰
Water chestnutAround 9 months
🥬
Water spinach (kangkong)Around 6 months
🥬
WatercressAround 6 months
🥬
Waterleaf6 months+
🫛
Wax beansAround 6 months
🫛
Winged beanAround 6 months
🍄
Wood ear mushroomAround 9 months
🥔
YaconAround 6 months
🍠
YamAround 6 months, cooked
🫛
Yardlong beansAround 6 months
🥒
Yellow squashAround 6 months
🥬
Yu choyAround 6 months
🥒
ZucchiniAround 6 months

Proteins, beans & eggs

🐚
AbaloneAround 9 months
🫘
Adzuki beansAround 6 months
🐊
AlligatorAround 9 months
🌰
Almond butter (thinned)Around 6 months, once a couple of foods are tolerated
⚠️
AmberjackNot for babies, high mercury
🐟
AnchoviesAround 9 months
🦌
AntelopeFrom about 6 months
🐟
Arctic charAround 6 months
🥓
BaconAround 12 months, occasionally
🫘
Baked beansAround 9 months
🫘
Bambara beansAround 6 months
🐟
BarramundiAround 6 months
🐟
BasaAround 6 months
🦪
Bay scallop6 months+
🌳
BeechnutNot recommended; whole nuts not before age 5
🥩
BeefAround 6 months
🥩
BisonAround 6 months
🍖
Bison liverFrom about 6 months
Black beansAround 6 months
🌰
Black walnutAround 6 months
🫘
Black-eyed peasAround 6 months
🌭
Blood sausageFrom about 12 months, as an occasional small taste
🐟
Bluefish6 months+ (occasional)
🐟
Bombay duckAround 9 months
🐟
Bonito6 months+ (occasional)
🫘
Borlotti beansAround 6 months, cooked very soft
🐟
BranzinoAround 6 months
🌰
Brazil nut (ground)Around 6 months, ground or thinned only
🌭
Breakfast sausageFrom about 12 months, as an occasional food
🫛
Broad beanFrom about 9 months
🦀
Brown crabFrom about 9 months
🌰
CandlenutNot recommended for babies
🫘
Cannellini beansAround 6 months
🐟
Capelin6 months+
🐟
CarpAround 6 months
🌰
Cashew butterAround 6 months
🐟
CatfishAround 6 months
🐟
Catla6 months+
🫘
Chana dalAround 6 months
🌰
Chestnut6 months, once your baby shows signs of readiness for solids
🍗
ChickenAround 6 months
🍖
Chicken liverAround 6 months
🍗
Chicken nuggetsAbout 12 months
🍗
Chicken tendersFrom about 12 months
🟤
ChickpeasAround 6 months
🐚
ClamsAround 9 months
⚠️
CobiaNot for babies, high mercury
🐚
CocklesAround 9 months, fully cooked only
🐟
CodAround 6 months
🐚
Conch6 months+
🍗
Cornish henAround 6 months
🦀
CrabAround 9 months
🫘
Cranberry beansAround 6 months
🦞
CrawfishAround 9 months, fully cooked and chopped small
🦗
Cricket flourAround 9 months
🦗
CricketsAround 9 months
🐟
Croaker6 months+
🍖
Curry goat (meat only)From about 9 months
🦑
CuttlefishAround 9 months
🍖
Cuy (guinea pig)Around 6 months
🥪
Deli meatAround 12 months, and only heated until steaming
🐟
Dover soleAround 6 months
🦆
DuckAround 6 months
🥚
Duck eggAround 6 months
🫛
EdamameAround 6 months
🥚
EggAround 6 months (introduce early)
🥩
ElkAround 6 months
🦤
EmuFrom about 6 months
🧆
FalafelAround 9 months
🫘
Fava beansAround 6 months
🍚
Fish congeeFrom about 6 months
🐟
Fish sticksAbout 9 months (many wait to 12 for the salt)
🫘
Flageolet beansAround 9 months
🌱
FlaxseedAround 6 months
🐟
FlounderAround 6 months
🥣
Fox nut6 months+ (ground)
🐟
Fresh cod (island-style, unsalted)Around 6 months
🫘
Ful medamesAround 9 months, mashed smooth and mild
🐚
Geoduck6 months+
🫘
Gigante beansAround 6 months
🍖
GoatAround 6 months
🐐
Goat meatAround 6 months
🍗
GooseAround 6 months
🥚
Goose eggAround 6 months
🫘
Great northern beansAround 6 months
🍖
Ground elkFrom about 6 months
🐟
GrouperAround 12 months
🍗
GrouseAround 6 months
🐦
Guinea fowlAround 6 months
🐟
GurnardAround 6 months
🐟
HaddockAround 6 months
🐟
HalibutAround 6 months
🍖
HamAround 9 months, occasionally
🍔
HamburgerAbout 9 months, though many parents wait until 12 months for lower-sodium, less-processed versions
🐇
HareFrom about 6 months
🌰
HazelnutAround 6 months, ground or thinned only
🌱
Hemp seedsAround 6 months, once baby is sitting well and showing interest in food.
🐟
HerringAround 6 months
🐟
Herring roeFrom about 9 months
🥜
Hickory nut6 months+ (as smooth butter or ground)
🐟
HilsaAround 9 months
🫘
Horse gram6 months+
🌭
Hot dogs12 months at the earliest, and an occasional food
🥫
HummusAround 9 months
🫘
Hyacinth bean6 months+
🌰
Jackfruit seedsAround 9 months
🫘
Kala chana6 months+
🐖
Kalua porkAround 9 months, in small portions
🥩
KangarooAround 6 months
🥩
KibbehFrom about 12 months, fully cooked and low-salt
🫘
Kidney beansAround 6 months, always fully cooked
🍵
KinakoAround 6 months, mixed into food
🥩
KitfoAround 12 months, fully cooked only
🍖
LambAround 6 months
🦐
LangoustineAround 9 months
🟠
LentilsAround 6 months
🫘
Lima beansAround 6 months
🥩
LiverFrom 6 months, cooked fully and pureed or mashed smooth
🦞
LobsterAround 9 months
🪷
Lotus seed6 months+ (cooked soft, mashed)
🫘
Lupini beansAround 12 months
🌰
Macadamia (ground)Around 6 months, ground or thinned only
🌰
Macadamia nut butterFrom about 6 months
🐟
MackerelAround 9 months
🐟
Mahi-mahiAround 6 months
🦪
Manila clam6 months+
🍖
Mansaf lambUsually from 9 months
🫛
Marrowfat pea6 months+
🟠
Masoor dalAround 6 months
🍖
MeatballsAround 9 months, if made baby-friendly
🐟
Milkfish6 months+
🐟
MonkfishAround 6 months
🟡
Moong dalAround 6 months
🫎
MooseFrom about 6 months
🫘
Moth beans6 months+
🐟
MulletAround 6 months
🫘
Mung beansAround 6 months
🦪
MusselsAround 9 months
🫘
NattoAround 6 months
🫘
Navy beansAround 6 months
🐙
OctopusAround 9 months
🥩
OstrichAround 6 months
🦪
OystersAround 6 months, fully cooked only
🐦
PartridgeAround 9 months
🫙
PateBest skipped in the first year and beyond
🥜
PeanutAround 6 months (introduce early)
🥜
Peanut butter (thinned)Around 6 months, thinned
🥜
Peanut puffs (Bamba)From about 6 months, once baby is showing signs of readiness for solids
🌰
PecanAround 6 months, as thinned smooth pecan butter or finely ground
🐟
PerchAround 6 months
🌿
Perilla seed6 months+
🐌
PeriwinkleNot recommended for babies
🍗
PheasantAround 6 months
🐟
PikeBetter delayed; choose low-mercury fish
🐟
Pike-perchBest avoided under age 3 (mercury)
🐟
PilchardAround 6 months
🌰
Pili nutAround 6 months
🌰
Pine nuts (ground)Around 9 months, ground or crushed
🫘
Pinto beansAround 6 months
🥜
PistachioAround 6 months
🐟
PlaiceAround 6 months
🐟
PollockAround 6 months
🐟
PomfretAround 6 months
🐟
Porgy6 months+
🥓
PorkAround 6 months
🎃
Pumpkin seedsAround 6 months
🐦
QuailAround 6 months, once baby is ready for solids
🥚
Quail eggAround 9 months
🍖
RabbitAround 6 months
🐰
Rabbit loinFrom about 6 months
🫘
RajmaFrom about 6 months
🫘
Refried beansFrom 6 months, when baby starts solids
🦌
ReindeerFrom about 6 months
🫘
Rice bean6 months+
🦐
River prawnFrom about 6 months
🐟
RockfishAround 6 months
🐟
RohuAround 6 months
🐟
SablefishAround 6 months
🌰
Sacha inchi6 months+
🍖
Salami and cured meatsBest avoided; if ever offered, only after 12 months, heated until steaming, and rarely
🐟
SalmonAround 6 months
🐟
SardinesAround 9 months
🐟
SashimiNot for babies; cooked fish from ~6 months instead
🍖
SausageBest limited; toddlers with care
🦪
ScallopsAround 9 months, once baby is established on solids
🫘
Scarlet runner bean6 months+
🐟
Sea breamAround 6 months
🐚
Sea snailAround 9 months, minced very fine
🍞
Seitan (wheat gluten)Around 6 months
🍳
ShakshukaAround 6 months
🍲
Shiro watAround 9 months
🦐
Shrimp (chopped)Around 9 months
🍮
Silken tofu puddingAround 6 months
🐟
SkateAround 6 months+
🐟
SmeltAround 6 months
🐟
Smoked salmon (lox)Skip; serve cooked salmon instead
🐟
SnapperAround 6 months
🥛
Soy milkAround 6 months (in food or a small cup)
🟢
Split peasAround 6 months
🦐
Spot prawn6 months+
🐦
Squab (pigeon)Around 6 months, once baby is ready for solids
🦑
SquidAround 9 months, once baby is a confident eater
🐟
Steamed snapper (baby-safe)Around 6 months
🐟
Striped bassAround 12 months, kept to small, occasional servings
🐟
Sturgeon6 months+ (choose farmed)
🍣
Sushi12 months+, and only fully cooked
🍢
SuyaFrom about 12 months
🫘
Sword bean12 months+, fully cooked
🐟
Swordfish and high-mercury fishAvoid for babies and young children
🥣
TahiniAround 6 months, thinned or stirred in
🧈
TempehAround 6 months
🫘
Tepary beans6 months+
🐟
Threadfin6 months+
🦐
Tiger prawn6 months+
🐟
TilapiaAround 6 months
🫘
TofuAround 6 months
🫘
Toor dalAround 6 months
🐟
TroutAround 6 months
🐟
TunaAround 6 months
🐟
TurbotAround 6 months
🦃
TurkeyAround 6 months
🫘
Urad dalAround 6 months
🥩
VealAround 6 months, once baby sits up and is ready for solids
🍖
VenisonAround 6 months
🦘
WallabyFrom about 6 months
🐟
WalleyeAround 6 months
🌰
WalnutAround 6 months
🌰
Water caltrop6 months+ (fully cooked, peeled, mashed)
🐚
WhelkAround 9 months
🫘
White beansAround 6 months
🐟
WhitebaitAround 9 months
🐟
Whiting6 months+
🌰
Whole nutsWhole nuts around age 4; nut butter or ground nuts from about 6 months
🐗
Wild boarAbout 9 months
🥢
YubaAround 9 months

Grains & starches

🌾
AmaranthAround 6 months
🐘
Animal crackersFrom about 12 months
🫓
ArepaFrom about 6 months, served as soft interior strips
🥣
Baby oatmeal cerealFrom about 6 months
🥣
Baby puffsAround 6 months, once baby sits up well and brings food to the mouth
🍚
Baby rice cerealFrom about 6 months, once baby can sit with support and holds their head steady
🥯
BagelAround 9 months
🌾
BajraAround 6 months
🌾
BarleyAround 6 months
🌾
Barley groatsAround 6 months
🌾
Barnyard millet6 months+
🍞
BiscuitAround 9 months
🍚
Black riceAround 6 months
🍞
BreadAround 6 months (lightly toasted into strips)
🍚
Brown riceAround 6 months, cooked soft so the grains clump
🌾
BuckwheatAround 6 months, cooked very soft
🌾
BulgurAround 6 months, once baby is showing signs of readiness for solids and sitting up well.
🌯
BurritoFrom about 9 months
🍰
CakeFrom about 12 months
🌾
Canihua (kaniwa)6 months+
🍚
Carnaroli rice6 months+
🌾
Cassava flour6 months+
🐠
Cheese crackersFrom about 12 months, as an occasional snack
🥟
Cheese ravioliFrom about 9 months (some wait to 12 for sodium and processing)
🍪
Chin chinFrom about 12 months, and only softened
🥐
Cinnamon rollFrom about 12 months, as an occasional treat
🍚
CongeeAround 6 months
🍪
CookiesAbout 12 months
🫓
Corn tortillaAround 6 months, cut into soft strips
🍞
CornbreadAround 9 months, once chewing and pincer grasp are coming along
🥣
CornflakesAround 6 months, softened
🥣
Cornmeal porridge (Caribbean)From about 6 months
🌾
CouscousAround 6 months
🍘
CrackersAround 9 months
🥣
Cream of wheatAround 6 months
🍘
CrispbreadFrom about 9 months
🍩
DonutAbout 12 months and up, as an occasional treat
🥞
DosaAround 6 months
🍜
Egg noodlesAround 6 months
🌾
EinkornAround 6 months
🥟
EmpanadaAround 9 months
🫓
English muffinAround 9 months
🌾
FarroAround 6 months
🫓
Flour tortillaFrom about 12 months
🌾
FonioAround 6 months
🌾
Foxtail millet6 months+
🌾
FreekehAround 6 months
🍞
French toastFrom about 9 months
🍚
GarriAround 6 months
🍪
Graham crackersAbout 12 months (most contain honey)
🥣
GranolaAround 12 months, softened
🧀
Grilled cheeseFrom about 9 months (many wait to 12mo for sodium)
🥣
GritsAround 6 months
🌽
HominyAround 9 months
IdliAround 6 months
🫓
InjeraAround 6 months
🍜
Instant ramenNot as-packaged; the plain noodles suit an older baby if you skip the packet
🌾
Job's tearsAround 6 months
🍚
Jollof rice~6 to 9 months, when ready for mixed textures
🌾
KamutAround 6 months
🥣
KashaAround 6 months
🍲
KhichdiAround 6 months
🌾
Khorasan wheat (kamut)6 months+
🌾
Kodo millet6 months+
🍚
KoshariAround 12 months
🍝
LasagnaFrom about 9 months (some wait to 12 months for restaurant or jarred versions because of sodium)
🧀
Macaroni and cheeseFrom about 9 months (many families wait until 12 months for boxed versions due to sodium)
🍚
MaqlubaAround 9 months
Masa dumplingFrom about 9 months
🥣
Masa porridge (atole)From about 6 months, unsweetened and lukewarm
🌾
MilletAround 6 months
🍡
MochiNot for babies or young children; wait until at least school age
🧁
MuffinFrom about 9 months
🍚
MujadaraFrom about 9 months
🫓
NaanAround 9 months
🥣
O-shaped oat cerealAround 9 months
🌾
Oat groatsAround 6 months, cooked very soft
🥣
OatmealAround 6 months
🥣
Ogi papFrom about 6 months
🥞
PancakesAround 6 months
🍝
PastaAround 6 months, cooked very soft
🫓
Pita breadAround 9 months, once baby is comfortable with soft finger foods
🍕
PizzaFrom about 12 months
🍌
Plantain fufuAround 9 months
🍚
PohaAround 6 months
🌽
PolentaAround 6 months, once baby sits with support and shows signs of readiness
🍿
PopcornWait until about age 4
🥨
PretzelsFrom about 12 months
🌾
Proso millet6 months+
🫓
PupusaFrom about 9 months
🫓
QuesadillaFrom about 9 months (some wait until 12 months for restaurant/salty versions)
🌾
QuinoaAround 6 months, cooked soft
🌾
RagiAround 6 months
🥣
Ragi porridgeAround 6 months
🍚
Red rice6 months+
🍚
RiceAround 6 months
🍘
Rice cakesAround 9 months
🍜
Rice noodlesAround 9 months
🍚
Riceberry6 months+
🌾
RyeAround 6 months
🍞
Rye breadFrom about 6 months
SabudanaAround 6 months, well cooked
🌾
Sattu6 months+
🥣
SemolinaAround 6 months
🥣
Semolina porridgeAround 6 months
🍜
SobaAround 9 months
🥨
Soft pretzelAround 12 months, occasionally
🌾
SorghumAround 6 months
🍜
SpaetzleFrom about 9 months
🍝
SpaghettiFrom about 6 months, though some parents wait closer to 12 months for saltier restaurant or jarred versions
🌾
SpeltAround 6 months
🥗
TabboulehAround 9 months
🌮
TacosFrom about 9 months (some parents wait until 12 months for lower sodium and less processed fillings)
🍪
Teething biscuitsFrom about 9 months
🌾
TeffAround 6 months
🥣
Teff porridgeAround 6 months
🍞
Toast stripsFrom about 6 months, once baby is showing signs of readiness for solids
🔺
Tortilla chipsFrom about 12 months
🌾
TriticaleAround 6 months
🍜
UdonAround 9 months
🌽
UmngqushoAround 9 months
🥣
UpmaAround 6 months
🥔
Veggie strawsAbout 12 months, as an occasional snack
🍚
WaakyeAround 9 months
🧇
WaffleAround 6 months
🌾
Wheat berriesAround 6 months
🍞
Whole wheat breadFrom about 6 months
🌾
Wild riceAround 6 months

Dairy

🥛
AmasiFrom about 9 months, once other cow's-milk dairy is going well
🧀
American cheeseAround 9 months, occasionally
🧀
BrieNot raw; only pasteurized and cooked piping hot, from around 12 months
🧀
BurrataAround 6 months
🧈
ButterAround 6 months
🥛
ButtermilkAround 6 months (in cooking)
🧀
Cheddar cheeseFrom about 6 months
🧀
CheeseAround 6 months
🧀
Cheese curdsAround 9 months
🧀
Chhena6 months+
🍶
Clotted cream6 months+
🧀
ColbyAround 6 months
🧀
ComteFrom about 6 months
🧀
CotijaAround 6 months
🧀
Cottage cheeseAround 6 months
🧀
Cream cheeseAround 6 months
🧀
Crème fraîcheAround 6 months
🍮
CustardAround 9 months
🧀
EdamAround 6 months
🧀
EmmentalFrom about 6 months
🧀
FetaAround 6 months, small amounts
🧀
Fontina6 months+
🧀
Fromage blancAround 6 months
🧈
GheeAround 6 months, small amounts for cooking
🧀
Goat cheeseAround 6 months
🧀
GoudaAround 6 months, pasteurized only
🥛
Greek yogurtFrom about 6 months
🧀
GruyèreAround 6 months
🧀
HalloumiAround 9 months, small amounts occasionally
🧀
HavartiAround 6 months
🍨
Ice creamBest delayed toward age 2
🧀
JameedFrom about 9 months, and only a small, well-thinned amount because it is salty
🍲
KadhiFrom about 9 months, once your baby is comfortable with thicker, spoonable textures
🥛
KefirAround 6 months, in small amounts
🥛
Khoa6 months+
🧈
KhoyaFrom about 9 months
🥣
KishkAround 9 months
🥛
LabnehAround 6 months
🧆
Labneh ballsAround 9 months, flattened
🥛
LassiAround 9 months
🧀
ManchegoAround 6 months
🧀
MascarponeAround 6 months, small amounts stirred in
🧀
Monterey jackFrom around 6 months
🧀
MozzarellaAround 6 months
🧀
MuensterAround 6 months
🧀
Munster cheese6 months+
🧀
Oaxaca cheeseAround 6 months
🧀
PaneerAround 6 months
🧀
ParmesanAround 6 months, finely grated
🧀
PecorinoFrom about 6 months, as a light grating only
🧀
ProvoloneAround 6 months
🍮
PuddingFrom about 9 months as an occasional treat
🧀
QuarkAround 6 months
🧀
Queso frescoAround 6 months
🧀
RicottaAround 6 months
🍮
ShrikhandFrom about 9 months, as a small unsweetened taste
🥛
SkyrAround 6 months, plain and whole-milk
🥛
Sour creamAround 6 months
🧀
Swiss cheeseAround 6 months
🥛
Whole milkSmall amounts in food from around 6 months; main drink at 12 months
🥛
YogurtAround 6 months
🫐
Yogurt meltsFrom about 9 months

Other

🫓
Adai6 months+
🧆
Akara6 months+
🫓
Akki rotti6 months+
🥛
Almond milkFrom about 12 months
🥞
Appam6 months+
🍲
Arroz caldo6 months+
🍚
AttiékéFrom about 9 months
🍚
Banku6 months+
🍲
Berbere-spiced stewAround 9 months
Black sesame pasteFrom about 6 months, thinned
🥞
Cachapa6 months+
Caffeine (coffee, tea, energy drinks)Not safe during infancy; keep away
🟤
CarobAround 6 months
🍫
Champorado6 months+
Chia seeds6 months+, always soaked
🍫
ChocolateNo need before age 2
🍫
Chocolate hazelnut spreadAbout 12 months, as an occasional treat
🥥
CoconutAround 6 months
🥥
Coconut cream (fresh)Around 6 months, small amounts
🥥
Coconut milkIn cooking from about 6 months
🍲
Dhokla6 months+
🟡
EgusiAround 6 months
🌿
EpazoteAround 9 months, as a trace seasoning
🍬
Fruit snacks and gummiesNot for babies; skip gummies and chewy snacks until about age 4 (choking)
🍚
FufuAround 9 months
🍮
Gelatin and jelly cupsNot a baby food; never give firm mini "jelly cups"
🍬
HalvaBest delayed toward age 2
🍭
Hard candy and lollipopsNot for babies or toddlers (skip until about age 4, with supervision)
🍲
HariraAround 9 months
🍯
HoneyAfter 12 months, never before
🌽
Humita6 months+
🍜
Idiyappam6 months+
🍓
Jam & jellyFrom about 12 months, as an occasional treat
🧃
JuiceNot before 12 months; after one, at most 4 oz a day of 100% juice
🍞
Kaya jamAround 12 months, as a rare treat
🫔
Kenkey6 months+
🍅
KetchupAbout 12 months+
⚠️
KonjacNot for babies or young children
🍡
Kozhukattai12 months+
🍱
Lunchables and lunch kitsNot for babies; an occasional older-toddler food at best
🥜
MaafeFrom about 12 months, and only after peanut is tolerated
🌽
Mamaliga6 months+
🍁
Maple syrupBest delayed toward age 2
🍬
MarshmallowsNot for babies or young toddlers; usually held to around age 4
🥚
MayonnaiseFrom about 12 months
🍲
MinestroneAround 6 months
🍲
MisoTiny amounts from around 6 months
🍌
Mofongo6 months+
🫘
Moi moi6 months+
🫓
Moong dal cheela6 months+
🥞
Neer dosa6 months+
Nigella seedsAround 6 months
🟡
Nutritional yeastAround 6 months
🥛
Oat milkFine in food from ~6 months; not a main milk drink before 12 months
🍲
Ogbono soupAround 9 months
🫒
Olive oilAround 6 months, small amounts
🌿
PandanFrom 6 months, as a flavoring
🌿
PapaloAround 9 months
🍚
Pongal6 months+
🌱
Poppy seedsAround 6 months, in the small amounts food normally uses
🧊
PopsicleAbout 12 months, and a homemade lower-sugar version even then
🍠
Pounded yamFrom about 9 months
🍋
Preserved lemonAround 12 months, tiny amounts
🥥
Puttu6 months+
🫓
Rava dosa6 months+
🍪
Raw cookie dough and batterOnly fully baked, and even then as an occasional treat
🥛
Rice milkNot as a drink under about 5 years; tiny amounts in cooking from 12 months
🍲
Sabudana khichdi6 months+
🌽
Sadza6 months+
🌰
Sesame seedsAround 6 months
🥤
SodaNot for babies or toddlers
🍯
Sorghum syrupBest delayed toward age 2
🌻
Sunflower seed butterAround 6 months
🌻
Sunflower seedsAround 6 months
🌰
TigernutsAround 6 months
🍌
Tostones6 months+ (soft cooked plantain)
🌽
Ugali6 months+
🧃
Unpasteurized juice and ciderSkip unpasteurized entirely; pasteurized juice only after 12 months
🥞
Uttapam6 months+
🍉
Watermelon seedsAround 6 months
🌿
Za'atarFrom about 6 months, as a light sprinkle
Introducing the big 9 allergens? Read the complete introduction guide →

More reading

See the best first foods, how much a baby should eat, and all our guides.

😋 🤢

Track it in YummyYucky

Log first tries and reactions, with an automatic allergen tracker when a food needs one, all in one place you can share with your pediatrician.

Start tracking for free

Last updated July 2026. Next review January 2027. How we write these: grounded in widely published pediatric guidance (the AAP, WHO, the NIAID 2017 allergen guidelines, and the LEAP study), and pending independent review by a pediatric professional. See our editorial and medical policy for how we research, source, and update these.

This is general information, not medical advice, and has not been individually reviewed for your baby. Always talk to your pediatrician about your baby's diet, introducing allergens, and any reaction. In an emergency, contact emergency services.

Some links in our guides are affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. We only suggest things we'd actually use, and it never changes our guidance.