Strawberries are a great, kid friendly fruit. If you’re wondering how to serve strawberry for babies, this resource will share how to do it safely.
Strawberries are a great first food for your baby as they are naturally sweet and soft for gummy mouths.
Benefits of strawberries for babies
While sweet and perfect for littles, they also have the added benefit of being good for you! Here’s what the USDA says on the topic.
- These berries are 91% water, so they are a great source of hydrations for kids.
- Essential vitamins like C, P, K, magnesium and calcium.
- Source of fiber to aid digestions (1.8g/100g)
Avoiding Choking:
Strawberries are on the list of common choking hazards for babies and kids. Below we’ll share how to avoid this as best as possible when serving to littles.
Always make sure you are brushed up on baby first aid when introducing solids of any kind.
How to prepare and serve strawberries for baby led weaning
Babies love strawberries since they are naturally sweet and soft. Here’s how to safely serve the fruit.
Puree
Purees are an easy way to introduce strawberries. Since they are sweet, they pair well with less desirable veggies in a puree. This is especially true for those with iron, like spinach, as the Vitamin C in strawberries helps the iron be properly digested.
Fresh or defrosted frozen strawberries tossed into a blender or food processor should blend easy without liquid. If it get stuck, add a bit of water or breast milk.
Practice baby led weaning with purees by offering preloaded spoons!
Mashed
Mashed is an easy and safe option for strawberries, especially for fruit that is too small for little mouths.
Simple take your berry and mash with the tines of a fork. Another option is to defrost a frozen strawberry and smash.
A bit of texture is fine, but avoid any big chunks if giving to a baby 6-9 months.
Feed to baby on the tray, allowing them to use their hand and fingers to pick up and feed themselves. Alternately, give baby preloaded spoons with the strawberry mush.
We love these spoons for baby led weaning.
Whole
If your baby is 6-9 months, we want to do all we can to avoid any kind of choking situation. Since they don’t have an understanding of moving small pieces around in their mouth yet, we’re going to serve a whole berry.
Use LARGE strawberries for this, ideally about the size of her fist. If the berry is smaller it’s best to go the mashing option. If the berry is too large for her hand, cut in half, leaving 2 large chunks.
Cut off the top of a clean strawberry, and give to baby. Baby will gum and gnaw, getting small, manageable pieces.
Cut up.
Cutting them can be a great option to hone baby’s pincer grip, but you’ll have to cut differently for different ages.
If your baby is 9-12 months, I suggest cutting in thin slices or into large quarters like pictured above for safety. ALWAYS use your gut! If it seems too small, mash or try a larger berry.
If your baby is 12 months+, you can try chopping in smaller pieces less than .5 inch. This is great for learning and honing pincer grip but small enough to avoid choking,
Smoothie
I love smoothies for kids of all ages, and strawberries are a great, sweet add in.
Make sure whatever you’re putting into your smoothie is something your kiddo has already tried and shown no allergies to.
We love this strawberry beet smoothie.
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