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Learn moreBamboo
Vegetable
Age Suggestion
6 months
Iron-Rich
No
Common Allergen
No
When can babies have bamboo?
Bamboo, when cooked and peeled, may be introduced as soon as baby is ready to start solids, which is generally around 6 months of age.
There are many species of bamboo native to diverse regions throughout Asia, where the plant has long been a source of food, building material, and more. The mature plant is too tough and woody to eat, but the young, tender shoots are a popular vegetable that are eaten fresh or preserved in cooked, dried, and pickled styles.
How do you serve bamboo to babies?
Every baby develops on their own timeline, and the suggestions on how to cut or prepare particular foods are generalizations for a broad audience.
6 months old +:
Offer peeled, cooked bamboo that has been pulled into thin shreds for baby to scoop with their hands. If you’d like to serve canned, sliced bamboo shoots, finely chop and add the chopped pieces to a scoopable food such as congee, noodles, or rice. Hold off on whole bamboo shoots, bamboo shoot tips, and coin-shaped slices of bamboo, as these shapes pose a high choking risk.
9 months old +:
Serve flat, bite-sized pieces of peeled, cooked bamboo shoot or small canned strips of bamboo for baby to practice picking up with their developing pincer grasp. Alternatively, continue offering long shreds of cooked bamboo shoot for biting and tearing practice. Avoid cutting bamboo shoots into rounds or coin-shaped slices, as these shapes pose a high choking risk.
12 months old +:
Offer thin bite-sized pieces of peeled, cooked bamboo shoot for the child to pick up with their fingers or with a utensil, as well as longer thin strips of cooked bamboo for biting and tearing practice.
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Is bamboo a choking hazard for babies?
Yes. Bamboo is cylindrical in shape and the texture tends to be firm and springy, which are qualities that can increase the risk of choking. To reduce the risk, prepare and serve bamboo in an age-appropriate way. As always, make sure you create a safe eating environment and stay within an arm’s reach of baby during meals. For more information on choking, visit our section on gagging and choking and familiarize yourself with the list of common choking hazards.
Is bamboo a common allergen?
No. Bamboo shoots are not a common food allergen. That said, allergic reactions to bamboo shoots have been reported.
Canned and dried bamboo shoots are occasionally preserved with sulfites, which can cause respiratory difficulty or hives in individuals with sulfite sensitivity.
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.
Is bamboo healthy for babies?
Yes, when cooked. Avoid serving raw bamboo, as the plant contains natural toxins that must be broken down through the cooking process in order to be safe for consumption. Preserved bamboo shoots have already been cooked as part of the canning or preservation process.
Bamboo shoots are a great source of vitamin B6, which plays a role in over 100 functions in the body, as well as fiber, zinc, potassium, and other micronutrients. Together, these nutrients support the gut microbiome, growth and development, electrolyte balance, heart health, and more.
Preserved bamboo products are sometimes high in sodium. If you are looking to reduce sodium, choose low-sodium products and/or rinse the preserved bamboo under running water to help reduce sodium content.
What are some great first foods for babies?
There are many wonderful options. Look for foods that are easy for baby to feed to themselves, that are low in choking risk, and that offer nutrients babies need, such as iron. A few of our favorite first foods include cooked broccoli, oatmeal, and mango pits.
How do I calm my own nerves around starting solids?
Knowledge and practice with rescue maneuvers. Parents and caregivers who watch the choking and rescue videos in our Starting Solids bundle often share how confident they feel.
Our Team
Written by
Dr. Rachel Ruiz
Pediatrician & pediatric gastroenterologist
Dr. Sakina Bajowala
Pediatrician & pediatric allergist/immunologist
Kim Grenawitzke
Pediatric occupational therapist, feeding & swallowing specialist, international board-certified lactation consultant
Venus Kalami
Pediatric registered dietitian & nutritionist
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