When you were a child, it was the simple things that made the best memories. Playing in the back garden all afternoon, making a sandcastle in the sandpit, and heading into the fields to go strawberry picking with your siblings; wicker basket and sunhat in tow!

Now that you’re a parent, you can’t wait to give your baby similar experiences to the ones you had as a young child and introduce them to the taste of sweet, delicious fruits such as strawberries. However, you’re wondering whether it’s safe for your baby to eat strawberries yet, and how long you should wait before introducing them to this fruit.

So, let’s clear up whether strawberries are safe for your baby, what the benefits of strawberries are for a baby, and when and how to introduce them.

To begin with, we’ll start by outlining whether strawberries are safe for your baby to eat.

Are strawberries safe for my baby?

Strawberries aren’t a common allergen, so that’s not the primary concern when it comes to safety for a baby. Strawberries are commonly safe for babies to eat, as long as they are around the age of 4 to 6 months, when they are typically introduced to solids. If solids are introduced too early, babies risk gagging or pushing the food back out of their mouth.

However, experts say that it’s much better to go by developmental achievements rather than age to judge whether your baby is ready for food or not. To gauge this, ask yourself questions such as, can your baby bring objects to the mouth? Can they open their mouth when they are offered food? Can they swallow food? Can they control their head and neck? Can they sit up alone without any support? This will be a good indicator as to when they are ready to try eating strawberries.

Having found out whether strawberries are safe for your baby, let’s look at the benefits of giving your baby strawberries.

What are the benefits of giving my baby strawberries?

Strawberries are a fantastic source of Vitamin C. Vitamin C is essential for maintaining a healthy immune system.
Strawberries are also a fantastic source of dietary fibre. This fibre is helpful for babies who drink formula, which can cause constipation.
Eating fruit has been associated with a lower risk of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease.

Now that we’ve looked at the benefits of giving your baby strawberries let’s understand more about the safety precautions you should take when feeding your baby strawberries.

What safety precautions should I take when feeding my baby strawberries?

Be aware of choking hazards. Be aware that strawberries can be a potential choking hazard. It’s best to be aware of this and prepare properly in order to control this risk.

Be aware of the risk of food allergies. Although strawberries aren’t high on the list of allergens, it’s good to be aware that this is a potential risk. Strawberries are also acidic and can cause milk skin rashes. If you run into trouble with this, then give the doctor a call.

Now that we’ve discussed what safety precautions to take when feeding your baby strawberries, let’s explore when and how to give your baby strawberries and in what amount.

When and how should I introduce my baby to strawberries?

As with any new food, it’s best to check with your baby’s paediatrician that strawberries are suitable for them to eat. Start with caution and patience, and remember that this is a completely new experience for them.

When your baby first tries strawberries, remember that their belly is much smaller than yours and that their serving should reflect this. Try giving them 1 to 2 teaspoons of pureed strawberries, to begin with. Then after the first few tastes, use your baby’s fist as an indicator as to how much you should serve them in one sitting.

When can my baby eat strawberries?