How to serve carrot by age
6–8 months
Steam or roast whole finger-length sticks until very soft and squishable. Never raw sticks or rounds at this age.
9–11 months
Soft-cooked carrot cut into thin sticks or small bite-size pieces. Raw carrot only finely grated into other food.
12–24 months
Soft-cooked sticks or halved coins in family meals. To be extra safe, we suggest raw carrot only grated or in thin ribbons until about age 4.
Needs special prep: high
choking risk in its raw or whole form
Steam or roast until a stick squishes between your fingers, or finely grate raw carrot.
Raw carrot sticks and coins are hard; a bitten-off chunk or round slice can lodge in the airway.
Nutrition
- Contains beta-carotene, which the body can convert to vitamin A.
- Contains fiber and potassium.
Preparation tips
- Test doneness by pressing a cooked stick between your thumb and finger; it should squash flat.
- Stir grated carrot into pancakes, meatballs, or oatmeal for older babies.
Sources
- CDC · Infant and Toddler Nutrition: Choking Hazards
- American Academy of Pediatrics · HealthyChildren.org: Starting Solid Foods
- NHS Best Start in Life · Weaning
This is general information, not medical advice. Read our disclaimer and methodology.
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