12 months baby foods: safe first-food guide

First foods

Usually suitable from about 6 months when baby is developmentally ready.

First foods

Often suitable from about 6 months when soft, ripe, and served in an age-aware shape.

Allergen

Can be introduced around 6 months for many babies, fully cooked and in small amounts.

Allergen

Many babies can try peanut after solids start, but never as a thick sticky spoonful.

Dairy

Plain pasteurized yogurt can fit after solids start, but avoid added sugar and watch dairy allergy context.

Dairy

Pasteurized, lower-sodium cheese can fit after solids start, but portion size, salt, and choking shape matter.

Grain

Often suitable from about 6 months when cooked soft and adjusted to baby's texture stage.

Grain

Cooked rice can fit after solids start when it is soft, moist, and not served as dry clumps.

Grain

Soft cooked pasta can fit after solids start when served in a shape baby can hold or manage.

Fruit

Apple needs texture adjustment for babies; raw hard chunks are not an early serving shape.

Fruit

Very ripe or cooked pear is often suitable after solids start when texture is soft enough.

Vegetable

Broccoli can fit after solids start when cooked until the stem and floret are soft.

Fruit

Ripe mango can fit after solids start when it is soft, peeled, and served in a manageable shape.

Fruit

Strawberries can fit after solids start, but the serving shape should reduce round or firm choking risk.

Choking risk

Blueberries need shape changes for babies because whole berries are small, round, and slippery.

Fruit

Tomato can fit after solids start, but small round tomatoes need careful cutting and the acidity can irritate skin.

Fruit

Watermelon can fit after solids start when rind, seeds, and hard chunks are removed.

Vegetable

Carrots are suitable only when cooked very soft; raw carrot pieces are not baby-safe.

Vegetable

Cucumber can be tricky for babies because the firm raw texture and peel can be hard to manage.

Vegetable

Cooked peas can fit after solids start when they are soft and flattened or mashed for early eaters.

First foods

Fully cooked squash is a useful first-food texture once baby is ready for solids.

First foods

Usually suitable from about 6 months when fully cooked until soft.

Protein

Chicken can be offered after solids start when fully cooked, moist, tender, and free of bones.

Iron-rich protein

Beef can be useful after solids start when fully cooked, tender, moist, and shaped for baby's skills.

Fish

Can be offered after solids start when fully cooked, low-mercury, and carefully checked for bones.

Allergen

Tofu can fit after solids start, but soy is a common allergen and texture should be soft and easy to manage.

Iron-rich protein

Cooked lentils can fit after solids start when they are very soft and served with enough moisture.

Iron-rich protein

Cooked beans can fit after solids start when they are very soft, mashed, and served with enough moisture.

Grain

Cooked quinoa can fit after solids start when it is soft, moist, and served in a spoonable mixture.

Allergen

Bread can fit after solids start, but wheat, salt, texture, and gumminess need attention.

Allergen

Pancakes can work as an occasional finger food when soft, low in added sugar and salt, and cut safely.

Fish

Tuna can require extra caution because fish allergy, cooking, bones, sodium, and mercury choices matter.

Allergen

Shrimp can be introduced after solids start only when fully cooked and cut to reduce chewy choking risk.

Choking risk

Still never serve whole. Quarter lengthwise and supervise closely.

Avoid

After 12 months, honey is no longer restricted for infant botulism in ordinary use.

Choking risk

Avoid whole nuts for babies and young children because they are hard, small choking hazards.

Choking risk

Hot dogs are a high-risk choking shape for babies and young children and are not a good first food.

Choking risk

Popcorn is a choking hazard for babies and young children and should not be used as a first food.

Avoid as drink

At 12 months and older, pasteurized whole cow's milk can become a drink option for many children.

Avoid as drink

After 12 months, juice should still be limited; whole fruit and water are usually better routine choices.