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.

Grain

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

Fruit

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

Choking risk

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

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.

Fish

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

Iron-rich protein

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

Allergen

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

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.