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Coconut

Fruit

Age Suggestion

6 months

Iron-Rich

Yes

Common Allergen

No

a whole coconut before being prepared for babies starting solids

When can babies have coconut?

Coconut may be introduced as soon as baby is ready to start solids, which is generally around 6 months of age. 

Coconut likely originated in the tropics of Asia and spread around the globe with colonization and trade. It is sometimes called the tree of life, as the entire plant can be utilized by humans, who turn coconut palms and their fruit into fiber, medicine, musical instruments, shelter, and of course, food. Coconuts can be enjoyed at various stages of maturity, from young, green coconuts to the oldest, brown coconuts, and each stage can be used slightly differently in the kitchen.

How do you serve coconut 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 +:

Serve dried finely shredded coconut (also called desiccated coconut) mixed into warm cereals and other soft foods. Coconut oil and coconut milk or cream work well as a base for oatmeal, rice, and warm cereals, or can be added to sauces and soups. Avoid large flakes of coconut (sometimes called “coconut chips”) at this age, as they can be sharp and difficult to move around in the mouth.

9 months old +:

Serve dried finely shredded coconut mixed into or sprinkled on top of a child’s food and use coconut oil and coconut milk or cream as desired in meals. If you have young coconut available, you can serve small strips about the size of an adult pinky finger, as long as the coconut is soft enough that it mashes easily with gentle pressure.

12 months old +:

Serve dried finely shredded coconut mixed into or sprinkled on top of a child’s food and use coconut oil and coconut milk or cream as desired in meals. If desired, you may also start to introduce coconut milk or coconut water as a beverage in small quantities to encourage development of drinking skills. If you have young coconut available, you can also serve small strips about the size of an adult pinky finger, as long as the coconut is soft enough that it mashes easily with gentle pressure.

18 months old +:

Serve pieces of young coconut, coconut oil, milk, and cream, as well as finely shredded coconut as desired. Encourage the child to sprinkle finely shredded coconut on their food by offering a small spoonful on the side at mealtime. If you have access to fresh young coconuts, invite the child to try and use a spoon to scoop the soft flesh from one half. When the child has at least one set of molars and shows more mature eating skills (including taking manageable bites, thoroughly chewing food, and safely swallowing), you can offer flat pieces of mature coconut with the shell removed as well as coconut chips (large flakes of baked or toasted coconut).

Videos

Beth, 6 months, munches on a mango pit rolled in finely shredded coconut

Amelia, 9 months, eats mango with shredded coconut

Julian, 13 months, drinks coconut water for the first time.

Is coconut a choking hazard for babies?

It can be. Young coconut as well as coconut milk or cream should not pose much risk, but pieces of mature, raw coconut and coconut chips are firm and can be challenging to chew, qualities that increase the risk of choking. To reduce the risk, prepare and serve coconut in an age-appropriate way as described in the How to Serve section. 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.

Is coconut a common allergen?

No, coconut allergy is rare. However, in the rare cases when it does occur, coconut allergy has been associated with severe reactions.

Although it is not typical for individuals with peanut or tree nut allergies to also be allergic to coconut, cross-reactivity has occasionally been observed between coconut and macadamia, almond, walnuts, hazelnuts, lentils, and latex.

Dried coconut is commonly preserved with sulfites. While sulfites are not a common allergen, certain individuals, particularly those with asthma, can have allergy-like reactions to added sulfites. If sulfites are a concern, avoid ingredients such as sulfur dioxide, potassium bisulfate, potassium metabisulfite, sodium bisulfite, sodium metabisulfite, and sodium sulfite to name a few.

As you would when introducing any new food, start with a small amount at first and follow baby’s lead.

Is coconut healthy for babies?

Yes. Coconut offers fat, fiber, and protein, in addition to some iron, magnesium, potassium selenium, zinc, and various B vitamins. These nutrients work together to provide plenty of energy to fuel growth and development, as well as exploration and play. They also support digestive function, iron status, electrolyte balance, hormone function, immunity, and countless metabolic processes.

Is coconut oil healthy for babies?

Yes, coconut oil is an excellent source of fat that works well in a variety of dishes. In particular, its fat content provides energy for baby’s rapid growth and development at this stage.

When can babies drink coconut milk?

Hold off on coconut milk as a drink until after 12 months of age, as breast milk and formula are baby’s main drinks in the first year of life. That said, coconut milk may be used as an ingredient in solid food as soon as baby is developmentally ready for solids, usually around 6 months of age. Learn more about coconut milk for babies.

When can babies drink coconut water?

Hold off on coconut water as a drink until after 12 months of age, as breast milk and formula are baby’s main drinks in the first year of life.

Can babies eat dried coconut that has sulfites?

Yes, as long as the child does not have a sulfite sensitivity, dried coconut with added preservatives and sulfites is fine as part of a varied diet. Sulfites are naturally present in certain foods and can be added to others to help prevent browning, decrease the growth of microbes, and extend a food’s shelf life. In the United States, sulfites are generally recognized as safe by the Food and Drug Administration.

If you suspect baby is sensitive to sulfites or would like to avoid them, simply look for a brand that is sulfite-free. In sensitive individuals, consuming sulfites can cause an allergy-like reaction and cause asthma flare-ups. If sulfites are a concern, avoid ingredients such as sulfur dioxide, potassium bisulfate, potassium metabisulfite, sodium bisulfite, sodium metabisulfite, and sodium sulfite to name a few.

Our Team

Written by

Dr. Rachel Ruiz

Dr. Rachel Ruiz

Pediatrician & pediatric gastroenterologist

Dr. Sakina Bajowala

Dr. Sakina Bajowala

Pediatrician & pediatric allergist/immunologist

Kim Grenawitzke

Kim Grenawitzke

Pediatric occupational therapist, feeding & swallowing specialist, international board-certified lactation consultant

Venus Kalami

Venus Kalami

Pediatric registered dietitian & nutritionist

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