Bone Marrow
Meat
Age Suggestion
6 months
Iron-Rich
Yes
Common Allergen
No
When can babies have bone marrow?
Bone marrow, when well-cooked, may be introduced as soon as baby is ready to start solids, which is generally around 6 months old.
Bone marrow is the jelly-like substance in the middle of animal bones, often a cow’s femur bones, but other bones are also used, from lamb to moose, and more. Humans have long enjoyed this food, rich in fat, flavor, and protein. In some dishes, the marrow is scooped or sucked straight from the bone, while in others, marrow bones are used to flavor soups and stocks from bulalo to phở.
How do you serve bone marrow 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 +:
Spread well-cooked bone marrow on toast strips or mix it into soft, scoopable foods, such as mashed vegetables. To reduce choking risk, make sure to break up any globs or chunks of fat until the bone marrow is smooth. Alternatively, offer an open cup with a small amount of just the broth made from marrow bones.
24 months old +:
Spread well-cooked bone marrow on toast strips or mix it into soft, scoopable foods, such as mashed vegetables. At this age, you can serve the marrow still in the bone and offer the child a small spoon or blunt spreader knife for them to try scooping the marrow themselves and spreading it on food as desired. Alternatively, offer soups made from marrow bones in a bowl for practice with a spoon, or just the broth in an open cup for drinking.
Add bone marrow to protein-rich foods, like smashed beans or lentils, for an added nutrient boost to the dish. Butter also makes bone marrow even more delicious!
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Is bone marrow a choking hazard for babies?
Yes. Bone marrow can contain globs of fat, which can be firm and slippery, qualities that increase the risk of choking. To reduce the risk, prepare and serve bone marrow 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.
Is bone marrow a common allergen?
No. Bone marrow, whether from cow, lamb, or other animals, is not a common food allergen, although allergic reactions to various red meats have been reported. Certain tick bites (mainly the Lone Star tick in the continental United States, but other ticks in different parts of the world), are associated with the development of an allergy to galactose-alpha-1, 3-galactose (“alpha gal”), a sugar which is present in all non-primate mammalian meat. This results in a delayed allergic reaction 3-8 hours after red meat or organ tissues (such as bone marrow) are consumed. However, some individuals with alpha gal allergy also react to small amounts of the sugar present in dairy products or gelatin from mammals. Alpha gal allergy is more prevalent in the southeastern United States, but is starting to become more common in other areas as the geographic distribution of the Lone Star tick expands.
As you would when introducing any new food, start by offering a small quantity for the first few servings and watch closely as baby eats. If there is no adverse reaction, gradually increase the serving size over time.
Is bone marrow healthy for babies?
Yes. Bone marrow is rich in fat, including omega-3 fatty acids, in addition to iron, selenium, and zinc, as well as vitamins A, B12, E, and K. Together, these nutrients support growth, development, healthy red blood cells, immune function, vision, skin health, blood clotting, and more.
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.
Do I need to start solids with purees?
You can if you’d like, but there's no developmental need to start with textureless food. Babies can be served modified versions of what you eat. Use our First Foods Database to find how to safely serve any food.
Our Team
Written by
Kim Grenawitzke
Pediatric occupational therapist, feeding & swallowing specialist, international board-certified lactation consultant
Venus Kalami
Pediatric registered dietitian & nutritionist
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