Can babies eat fresh cherries? Here is everything you need to know about serving cherries for baby led weaning.
Fresh cherries are a delicious treat full of nutrients and antioxidants! Because cherries are small and round, they can be difficult to serve to baby led weaning babies just starting out. Here is what you need to know about safely offering cherries for baby led weaning, including serving ideas.
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Can Babies Eat Cherries?
As soon as babies are developmentally ready for solids, they can eat fresh, ripe cherries! However, the size and shape of cherries doesn't allow us to cut them in a good shape for young babies to grip for baby led weaning, so they must be cut into small pieces to avoid creating a choking hazard. Young 6 months old who are just starting solids will find these pieces very difficult to pick up, but that doesn't mean it can't be done! If you want your inexperienced eater to try fresh cherries, it'll take a little more creativity!
Are Cherries Healthy For Babies?
Cherries are full of fiber, which can help aid digestion and gut health, as well as potassium, and vitamin C, which helps baby's body absorb iron. Cherries are also loaded with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds.
How To Serve Cherries for Baby Led Weaning
Since we typically like to cut soft foods in long pieces that are easy for young babies to grip, cherries are a little difficult. Round, slippery foods can be a choking risk, so out best bet is to serve them in little pieces. Be sure cherries are ripe, soft and have the pits removed.
Cut into small pieces (best for 9+ months)
Until babies have developed a pincer grasp, around 9-10 months of age, these little pieces will be difficult for babies to pick up, but that doesn't mean they cannot try. Keep it to just a few pieces alongside other, easier to grip foods, to avoid little babies getting frustrated.
Other ideas for serving cherries BLW-style (6+ months)
- Cooked down in a small bit of water and smashed into a compote to serve on a preloaded spoon, spread on toast fingers, or stir in yogurt or oatmeal. Frozen cherries may be easier to cook down into a compote than fresh.
- Chopped up very fine and stirred into yogurt, ricotta cheese, or oatmeal.
- Chopped up fine and baked into muffins or pancakes.
- Pureed in a smoothie.
How To Cut Cherries for Baby Led Weaning
- Remove the stem. Remove pit with a cherry pitter.
- Cut pitted cherry in half.
- Cut each half into fourths.
FAQ
Yes. Because cherries are small, round, and smooth, they can be a choking hazard. They also have small pits which can be a choking hazard. Cherries must be cut small before serving to babies to avoid choking risk. Always make sure cherries are ripe and soft, and that the pit and stem are removed.
No, cherries are not a common allergen. Some individuals with Oral Allergy Syndrome may react to cherries, especially if they react to other stone fruits or almonds.
Cherries are usually canned with sugar syrup, which should be avoided until at least 1 year of age, and preferably 2 years. Fresh or frozen, thawed cherries are best (just make sure frozen cherries contain just cherries, and no sugar or sauces!).
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