Sweet, juicy strawberries are bound to become a favorite for your baby. Here’s when you can start introducing strawberries and how to prepare them safely for your little one.

Your baby will probably open their eyes in pure joy when they take their first bite of a ripe, juicy strawberry. So, when can you add these fruits to their menu—and what are the best ways to serve strawberries to toddlers?

Here’s everything you need to know, including when to introduce strawberries, how to prepare them according to your baby’s age, and what a rash after eating strawberries might mean (good news: it might not be an allergy).

When Can Babies Eat Strawberries?

Strawberries are sweet, packed with nutrients, and easy to prepare, making them a great food to introduce to your little one early on. You can offer strawberries as soon as your baby starts eating solid foods, usually around 6 months old.

How to Prepare Strawberries for Your Baby

If you choose to serve strawberries with a spoon, you can puree them by blending until smooth.

Families following baby-led weaning (an approach that introduces solids in the form of soft, chewable finger foods instead of purees) will need to prepare strawberries as finger foods. Luckily, this is easy to do: for babies 6 months and older, ripe, juicy strawberries are soft enough to serve raw. All you really need to do is remove the stem and cut them into age-appropriate pieces. (But be cautious with unripe strawberries. Besides lacking flavor, their firm texture can be a choking hazard.)

The tips below can help parents determine how to serve strawberries at different stages, but keep in mind that all babies develop at their own pace. Talk to your pediatrician before starting baby-led weaning and consult them if you have concerns about your child’s oral motor skills, chewing, swallowing abilities, or if you’re unsure whether your baby is ready for certain food preparations.

How to Prepare Strawberries for a 6-Month-Old Baby

Cut strawberries into thin, leaf-like slices—thin enough for the baby to chew but still large enough for them to grasp in their palm. If the slices are too slippery, you can sprinkle them with baby cereal to make them easier to hold.

How to Prepare Strawberries for a 9-Month-Old Baby

When your baby has a few teeth, they can handle slightly smaller pieces of strawberries. Cut smaller strawberries into quarters and larger ones into eighths.

How to Prepare Strawberries for a 12-Month-Old Toddler

Strawberries with a fork? It might seem odd to you, but small, diced pieces of strawberries are ideal for helping your toddler practice eating with utensils.

How to Prepare Strawberries for an 18-Month-Old Toddler

By 18 months, your little muncher can likely handle whole strawberries, as long as they are small and very ripe. For larger or firmer ones, cut them in half.

Strawberry Recipes for Babies and Toddlers

They’re delicious on their own, but there are plenty of ways to incorporate strawberries into meals or snacks. Just remember to introduce one new food at a time, especially major allergens like eggs, peanuts, soy, wheat, dairy, and seafood.

Here are some kid-approved ideas to try:

Strawberry Yogurt Melts – Blend strawberries into plain yogurt until smooth. Spoon the mixture into a ziplock bag, pipe small drops onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, and freeze until solid.

Quick Strawberry Compote – Cook quartered strawberries with a little orange juice until they reach a soft, jam-like consistency. Mix with oatmeal or yogurt, or spread on toast, pancakes, or waffles.

Strawberry Smoothie – Blend fresh or frozen strawberries with a banana and milk or yogurt for a naturally sweet drink.

Peanut Butter & Strawberry Popsicles – Blend strawberries with peanut butter and milk, pour into popsicle molds, and freeze.

Strawberry Cream Sandwich – Spread cream cheese on a slice of whole-grain toast and cut it in half. Layer sliced strawberries on one half and cover with the other half. Cut into thirds or quarters for easy holding.

Strawberry Yogurt Dip – Blend strawberries and plain yogurt to create a sweet, protein-rich dip for fresh fruit or toast strips.

No-Sugar Strawberry Applesauce – Cook chopped strawberries with peeled, chopped apples until soft, then mash well.

What Are the Benefits of Strawberries for Babies and Toddlers?

Strawberries are packed with vitamin C to support your little one’s immune system. Vitamin C also plays a key role in iron absorption (an essential mineral that babies and toddlers don’t always get enough of), so consider pairing iron-rich foods like meat or beans with a side of strawberries.

Like most fruits, strawberries are high in fiber, which helps keep your child’s digestion regular. Their high water content also helps keep kids hydrated—especially useful if you struggle to get them to drink enough fluids.

Can Babies Be Allergic to Strawberries?

Noticed a red rash or hive-like bumps around your baby’s mouth after eating strawberries? It could be an allergic reaction, but more often, it’s just mild skin irritation caused by the fruit’s acidity. The rash is usually harmless, so you don’t need to avoid strawberries if your baby isn’t bothered. However, it’s worth discussing with your pediatrician, especially if it seems itchy.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), any food can be an allergen. But true strawberry allergies are uncommon, especially in children under 3 years old. In rare cases, raw strawberries can trigger oral allergy syndrome, a reaction caused by cross-reacting allergens found in both pollen and raw fruits/vegetables. However, infants and toddlers are rarely affected.

That said, it’s always a good idea to watch for signs of a potential allergic reaction. Your baby or toddler may have a food allergy if, immediately or within one to two hours after eating, they experience:

• Hives
• Itching
• Swelling of the skin, lips, or tongue
• Sneezing
• Wheezing
• Throat tightness or trouble swallowing
• Nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, or diarrhea
• Difficulty breathing

Call your doctor immediately if your child shows signs of an allergic reaction. A reaction can be severe or even life-threatening (anaphylaxis) if multiple areas of the body are affected. If your child has trouble breathing or swallowing, call 911 immediately.

Are Strawberries a Choking Hazard for Babies?

Whole or large pieces of strawberries can be a choking hazard for young children. Be sure to prepare them safely by pureeing or slicing them into thin strips for beginners and later cutting them into small, bite-sized pieces appropriate for your child’s age.

Also, always supervise your child while eating, ensure they sit upright during meals, and never serve food while they are reclining, walking, sitting in a car seat, or playing.

Juicy red strawberries are always a treat! Whether you serve them alone or as part of a meal or snack, your growing little gourmet will likely enjoy their first taste with delight.