Cranberry

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

Cranberries are native to boggy areas across the Northern Hemisphere, and are now cultivated wherever the soil can be moist and well-drained and the temperatures are cool. The plant’s berries turn rosy red as they ripen, but unlike some fruits, they remain firm and very tart, even when fully ripe. In New England, the berry was known as sasemineash in the language of the Narragansett people, and when European settlers came to the region, they prized the berry for its ability to stay fresh for long periods of time, due to its high acid content. That natural acidity also means that today, the fruit is often paired with sweeteners like sugar to balance the fruit’s tartness in desserts, juice, and sauces.

Yes. Cranberries offer carbohydrates, fiber, and water, in addition to vitamins C, E, and K. Together, these nutrients help provide energy to support baby’s movement and exploration, their developing gut microbiome, and their hydration needs. They also help to support electrolyte balance, skin health, iron absorption, immune function, and blood clotting. Cranberries are rich in a variety of antioxidants, like quercetin and proanthocyanidins, which help support baby’s overall health. Due to their high vitamin C content, cranberries pair well with plant-based sources of iron, like beans and nuts, to optimize nonheme iron absorption. 

No. Cranberries are not a common food allergen. Cranberries (and especially dried cranberries) are high in salicylates. Individuals who are allergic to salicylates and/or blueberries, huckleberries, or lingonberries may also be sensitive to cranberries.

What is more common with acidic foods like cranberries, however, is a harmless contact rash around the mouth or diaper area. Applying a thin layer of barrier ointment—such as pure petroleum jelly or a plant-based oil/wax balm—to baby’s face and bottom prior to mealtime can help prevent contact rashes. 

Dried cranberries or cranberry juice may be preserved with sulfites. Some individuals, particularly those with asthma, can have allergy-like reactions to added sulfites. However, most individuals with asthma are not sensitive to small amounts of added sulfites in food.

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.

Yes. Cranberries are small, round, and very firm, qualities that increase the risk of choking. To reduce the risk, prepare and serve cranberries 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.

Babies can have cranberry sauce when developmentally ready for solid foods, usually around 6 months of age. While most cranberry sauces have some added sugar, it is fine to offer small amounts here and there as one of a variety of foods in the diet.

Yes, but only after the dried cranberries have been fully rehydrated in hot water until fully softened to reduce choking risk. Hold off on regularly serving unmodified dried cranberries until sometime after the second birthday, when the child has molars for chewing more challenging textures and is consistently chewing well and not stuffing their mouth, as dried fruit is challenging to chew and a potential choking hazard.

Small amounts of cranberry juice may be shared as a drink after 12 months of age. That said, it can be beneficial to wait until after a child’s 2nd birthday to regularly share juice and other sugary drinks. Research suggests that regular intake of juice and other sweet drinks tends to increase the risk of dental cavities and take up space in the belly, which may decrease a child’s motivation to eat other foods at mealtime and may negatively affect the child’s growth over time. However, occasional servings of juice after one year of age generally isn’t a cause for concern. Learn more about serving juice to babies and toddlers.