Cómo Empezar Base de Datos First Foods®Regalo Infantes

Waffle

Comida preparada

Sugerencia de edades

6 meses

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Alérgeno común

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two waffles stacked on top of each other with a third tilted off the stack on a white background

When can babies have waffles?

Waffles may be introduced as soon as baby is ready to start solids, which is generally around 6 months of age, as long as they do not contain honey, which is associated with a risk of infant botulism.

Different forms of waffle exist worldwide, but most are made by combining ingredients to form a leavened batter that is then cooked in a waffle iron to make its distinctive shape and texture. From the practice of making communion wafers in the early Christian church, secular wafers and waffles became a popular food in the lands around the Mediterranean and beyond. Some waffles are often paired with sweet flavors, such as bright green pandan waffles or the cookie-like pizzelles or stroopwafels, while others are treated as a savory dish, like American fried chicken and waffles or potato waffles.

How do you serve waffles to babies?

Cada bebé se desarrolla a su propio ritmo, y las sugerencias que ofrecemos sobre cómo cortar o preparar determinados alimentos son generalizaciones para una amplia audiencia.

a Solid Starts infographic with the header How to Cut Waffles for Babies: strips for 6 months+, bite-sized pieces for 9 months+, whole or in pieces with a utensil for 18 months+

6 months old +:

Offer strips of waffle about the size of two adult fingers pressed together. If baby doesn’t seem interested or has trouble picking up the strip, hold one in the air and let baby grab it from you. Waffles with a crispier exterior (such as freshly cooked or toasted waffles) are less likely to gum up in baby’s mouth. Very soft or fluffy waffles (such as mochi waffles) may cause more gagging. Adding butter or a thin spread of applesauce or yogurt to a very fluffy or very dry waffle can help decrease gagging. Avoid waffles that contain or are topped with honey, due to the risk of infant botulism.

9 months old +:

Serve waffles cut into bite-sized pieces or continue to offer waffle strips for biting and tearing practice. If baby is overstuffing their mouth, try serving one piece or waffle strip at a time. Avoid waffles that contain or are topped with honey, due to the risk of infant botulism.

18 months old +:

Serve waffles in strips or bite-sized pieces. At this age, you can also serve a whole waffle for the child to pick up and take bites from. Feel free to serve waffles with an age-appropriate utensil, but don’t expect accurate and consistent utensil use until a child is older (closer to age 2).

a hand holding two thin strips of waffle for babies 6 months+ — Strips of waffle for babies 6 months+

a hand holding five bite-sized pieces of waffle for babies 9 months+ — Bite-sized pieces of waffle for babies 9 months+

Videos

Wei Wei, 7 months, eats a strip of waffle.

Mila, 15 months, eats bite-sized pieces of waffle.

Juliet Rose, 19 months, practices eating pieces of waffle with a fork.

Are waffles a choking hazard for babies?

No. Waffles present a low risk when safely prepared for a child’s age and developmental ability, though, in theory, an individual could choke on any food. To reduce the risk, prepare and serve waffles in an age-appropriate way as described in the How to Serve section. Note that fluffy or sticky waffles can cause more gagging. Serving alongside a cup of water can help. As always, create a safe eating environment and stay within reach of baby during meals.

Learn the signs of choking and more about choking first aid in our free guides, Infant Rescue and Toddler Rescue.

Do waffles contain allergens?

Yes. Waffles are often made with wheat, dairy, and eggs, and may also include other common food allergens such as soy and nuts (like almonds, peanuts, and more), depending on the type of waffles.

You will have more control over the ingredients when preparing waffles from scratch at home. When you want to offer pre-made waffles, be mindful of food allergies and check the ingredient list carefully every time. Ingredients and recipes vary from one pre-made waffle to another.

Prior to sharing waffles with baby, it is important to introduce common food allergens on their own and rule them out as allergens before serving them together in a prepared food. This way, you’ll be able to identify which allergen is responsible if baby has a reaction. Then, when you are ready to offer waffles, you will be confident that they have already safely eaten any common food allergens in the dish.

As you would when introducing any new food, start by offering a small quantity for the first few servings. If there is no adverse reaction, gradually increase the quantity over future meals.

Are waffles healthy for babies?

Yes. Waffles usually offer carbohydrates, as well as some protein and fat. They can also contain a variety of micronutrients, like calcium, iron, folate, B vitamins, and various other vitamins and minerals. These nutrients work to provide energy for growth, play, and exploration, in addition to supporting bone health, red blood cells, neurodevelopment, metabolic processes, and more.

When serving waffles to baby, avoid the addition of honey, which poses a rare risk of infant botulism to babies under 12 months of age.

Can babies have frozen waffles?

Yes. While some frozen waffles can be high in sodium and/or sugar, the amount that babies eat tends to be low as they learn the skills to feed themselves, and some sodium is important for supporting baby’s electrolyte balance, hydration, and movement. Plus, frozen foods can help families save time and make a varied diet more achievable.

Can I give baby a frozen waffle for teething?

Yes. As long as baby is in a safe eating environment and you are carefully supervising the activity, baby can gnaw on a frozen waffle if it helps relieve discomfort from teething. If the waffle starts to thaw and get gummy in baby’s mouth, remove it and offer a new waffle that is still frozen. In addition, make sure that any common food allergens in the waffle have been safely introduced before offering a waffle as a food teether. Keep in mind that if baby is allergic to an ingredient in the waffle, they could have a reaction while teething on the food, even if they do not consume much of it.