Coconut Milk

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

Coconut is a fruit that grows abundantly on palms in tropical climates. Within the hard shell are two nutritious staple foods for cultures around the world: the refreshing water and the creamy white meat. Read on to learn more—and see Coconut for more information about introducing fresh or dried coconut meat and coconut oil.

Yes. Coconut milk offers fat, some fiber, 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. 

★Tip: The solids and liquids often separate in canned coconut milk. To re-combine, simply shake vigorously in a closed can or jar.

No, coconut is not a common allergen globally. Coconut is a fruit, and not actually a nut. However, the United States Food & Drug Administration classifies coconut as a tree nut, which means it must be labeled as an allergen in the U.S. by law, even though coconut allergy is rare. In fact, some organizations advise that individuals with tree nut allergies avoid coconut, even as they acknowledge that coconut can be safely consumed by most individuals with tree nut allergies. In the small number of documented coconut allergies, most were not allergic to tree nuts. 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.

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.

No. Coconut milk presents a low risk when safely prepared for a child’s age and developmental ability, though, in theory, an individual could choke on any food. To reduce the risk, prepare and serve coconut milk 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.

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. Some of our favorite first foods include steamed broccoli, oatmeal, and mango pits. See more ideas in our guide, 50 Fantastic First Foods.

It’s flexible. Generally speaking, bring baby to the table at least once per day between 6 and 7 months of age, twice per day between 8 and 9 months of age, and 3 times per day starting at around 10 months of age. See our sample feeding schedules for details.