Black Elderberry

Fruit

Age Suggestion

6 months

Iron-Rich

Common Allergen

a small pile of elderberries with a bit of pink juice at the base on a white background

Warning

Never serve or eat raw elderberries, including dried, uncooked berries. Raw elderberries, green unripe berries, and elderberry leaves, seeds, and stems contain cyanide-producing toxins that are not safe for ingestion.

When can babies have elderberries?

Cooked elderberries may be introduced as soon as baby is ready to start solids, which is generally around 6 months of age. Raw elderberries are not safe to eat because they contain a natural toxin that can cause serious health problems. Reserve elderberry syrups and extracts for older children. While elderberry syrups and extracts have been used to treat ailments like the common cold and influenza for centuries and some studies in older children and adults have shown black elderberries to have antiviral properties, there is insufficient research to substantiate the safety and efficacy of their use in children under the age of 5.

Elderberries grow worldwide, from the fields and forests of Europe and the Americas, to the highlands of Asia, to the rainforests of Australia. For centuries, the elder tree has provided humans with many gifts, including the shiny berries that can be cooked into sauces, sweets, tonics, and vinegars. There are different species—some edible, others not—but the berries of Sambucus nigra, also known as black elderberries, are the most widely consumed. These berries are distinctly glossy, inky black, and so juicy that they are used as dye for beverages, pastries, and other products.

How do you serve elderberries 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 +:

Cook fresh elderberries with a splash of water by bringing to a boil and simmering for at least 60 minutes to make them safe for consumption. Use dried elderberries the same way, just add more water for cooking to make sure they become fully soft and rehydrated. Drizzle the sauce on shredded meat, flaked fish, vegetables, porridge, or yogurt. Alternatively, stir cooked elderberries into oatmeal or chia seed pudding.

9 months old +:

Continue to cook fresh elderberries with a splash of water by bringing to a boil and simmering for at least 60 minutes to make them safe for consumption. Use dried elderberries the same way, just add more water for cooking to make sure they become fully soft and rehydrated. At this age, babies develop the pincer grasp (where the thumb and forefinger meet), which enables them to pick up smaller pieces of food. Try serving bite-sized pieces of shredded meat, flaked fish, or vegetables topped with or alongside a cooked elderberry sauce. You can also experiment with stirring this cooked elderberry sauce into pancake or muffin batters, and offering the baked goods broken into bite-sized pieces.

12 months old +:

Continue to serve cooked elderberry sauce and experiment with seasonings like citrus, herbs, and spices. At this age, you can start helping the child spread or drizzle elderberry sauce or jam onto their own food from a small container, if you’d like.

Videos

Wei Wei, 9 months, eats black elderberries on labneh.

Río, 17 months, eats cooked elderberries on bread.

Are elderberries a choking hazard for babies?

Not when cooked. To avoid toxicity, elderberries must be cooked, which significantly reduces the risk of choking. That said, in theory, an individual could choke on any food. To reduce the risk, prepare and serve elderberries in an age-appropriate way as described in the How to Serve section. As always, make sure you create a safe eating environment and stay within an arm’s reach of baby during meals.

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

Are elderberries a common allergen?

No. Allergies to elderberries are rare, but have been reported. 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 elderberries safe for babies?

Yes, but only when elderberries are cooked. Raw elderberries (including dried berries) contain cyanide-producing toxins that can cause serious health problems. Make sure all stems, leaves, and unripe berries are removed when cooking elderberries, as they also contain these toxins. To minimize the risk, bring fresh or dried elderberries to a boil in water and cook for at least 60 minutes to ensure that the berries are safe to eat. Cooking ripe elderberries for at least 60 minutes eliminates this natural toxin from the fruit and seeds, making the berries safe for consumption.

What are the benefits of elderberries?

Nutritionally, cooked elderberries are an excellent source of fiber and vitamin B6, nutrients that support digestion and neurological development. Elderberries also contain iron, which is important for a child’s growth and healthy circulation, alpha linolenic acid (ALA), an essential fatty acid with anti-inflammatory properties, as well as flavonoids and anthocyanins, plant compounds that promote immunity and heart health.

There is also some evidence to suggest that elderberry may reduce the length and severity of upper respiratory infections (the common cold) in adults, although more research is needed on whether elderberry may do the same for children under 5 years of age.

Can babies have elderberry syrup or extract?

Generally, no. While elderberry syrups and extracts have been used to treat ailments like the common cold and flu for centuries, there is insufficient research to substantiate their safety in babies and children under 5 years of age. To complicate matters, elderberry syrups often contain honey, which is not safe for babies under 12 months of age. If you would like to offer elderberry syrup or extract to a baby or toddler, it is imperative that you first consult with your child’s primary healthcare provider.

Can babies or toddlers have elderberry tea?

Elderberry tea may be offered after the first birthday. Purchasing pre-packaged elderberry tea rather than making your own at home will ensure that toddlers are not exposed to uncooked elderberries. Do not give tea or beverages besides breast milk or formula to babies under 12 months of age to ensure that the necessary nutrition from breast milk or formula isn’t displaced by other drinks.