Broccoli

When can babies eat broccoli?

Broccoli, when cooked to a soft consistency, can be introduced as soon as baby is ready to start solids, which is generally around 6 months of age. Super nutritious and a fun texture for babies to explore, broccoli is a terrific first food.

Is broccoli healthy for babies?

Broccoli is a nutritional powerhouse. It contains a number of vitamins and minerals that babies need, including vitamins A, C, K, B6 and folate, and it even contains every other mineral including iron and zinc, the latter of which are crucial for optimal growth and development.

Broccoli has a number of cousins that are also wonderful for babies: romanesco (a gorgeous lime-green Italian variety); purple sprouting broccoli, which is common in England; and broccoli rabe, a more bitter variety. All are wonderfully nutritious for babies. Fun fact: broccoli is actually an edible flower!

Is broccoli a common choking hazard for babies?

While broccoli does not top the list of choking hazards, theoretically any food can present a risk if not prepared and/or cut correctly for your baby. To minimize the chance of choking, steam the broccoli florets until soft, then slice each floret in half lengthwise along the stalk. You can also cut the stalk off entirely if you prefer.

For more information, visit our section on gagging and choking and familiarize yourself with common choking hazards.

Is broccoli a common allergen?

No. Allergies to broccoli are rare, though in theory one could be allergic to any food.

How do you prepare broccoli for babies with baby-led weaning?

Every baby develops on their own timeline. The preparation suggestions below are for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for professional, one-on-one advice from your pediatric medical or health professional, nutritionist or dietitian, or expert in pediatric feeding and eating. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read or seen here.

6 to 9 months old: Serve large, whole florets of steamed broccoli for your baby to munch on. For the youngest eaters, if you serve large broccoli florets upside down (on the head, stem up), your baby will likely pick it up by the stem and then eat the soft floret top. If the broccoli stem makes you nervous, cut large florets in half, through the stem, and serve that way. Additionally, you can serve the broccoli stem as a finger food by cutting the skin off of it and boiling or steaming until soft.

9 to 12 months old: At this age your baby is starting to develop their pincer grasp, where the thumb and pointer finger meet. Try moving down in size to small, bite-sized pieces. If your baby is having a hard time picking small pieces up, move back up in size. Large pieces of food are completely fine–just make sure they are cooked well and soft.

12 to 24 months old: As your baby becomes more of an advanced eater, you can decrease the amount of time you are steaming or cooking the broccoli a bit. Follow your baby’s ability (and your gut instinct) and incorporate broccoli into any dish as desired.

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Steaming broccoli (as opposed to boiling) will help retain its nutrients. Roasting broccoli works, too, though the oven method tends to yield a tougher texture. For young babies, steaming is the safest option and has the benefit of being soft on their little gums.