When can babies eat cranberries?
Fresh cranberries that have been cooked and smashed may be introduced as soon as your baby is ready to start solids, which is generally around 6 months old. Avoid dried cranberries (and dried fruits in general), which are choking hazards for babies because they are sticky and hard to chew. If you can, hold off on serving dried fruit until your child is 2 years old and even then, prioritize fresh fruit over dried fruit.
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Are cranberries healthy for babies?
Yes. Fresh cranberries contain more than 24 antioxidants, along with vitamins C, E, and K. They also have a fair amount of fiber, which can help reduce constipation. Importantly, cranberries are only healthy when they are prepared from fresh cranberries without any added sugar. Cranberry sauce, cranberry juice, dried cranberries, and other processed cranberry products can contain a lot of sugar and are not appropriate for babies.
When cooked and smashed to reduce the choking hazard, fresh cranberries are a great topping for oatmeal, ricotta cheese, and yogurt. They also pair well with duck, turkey, venison and fatty cuts like brisket. Just be warned: too many cranberries can cause diarrhea.
Are cranberries a common choking hazard for babies?
Yes. Just like grapes, cherry tomatoes, and blueberries, fresh cranberries are hard and round—two qualities that create a high choking risk. Always cook fresh cranberries until they’ve reached a soft consistency and ensure that any remaining intact berries are smashed before serving to your baby.
For more information, visit our section on gagging and choking and familiarize yourself with common choking hazards.
Are cranberries a common allergen?
No. Cranberries are not a common food allergen, though people who are allergic to salicylates may be allergic to them.Cranberries (and especially dried cranberries) are high in salicylates, which some people are very sensitive to. If your baby is allergic to berries or fruits such as apricot, cherry, pineapple, prunes, or tangerines, consider testing your child for salicylate allergy.
How do you prepare cranberries for babies with baby-led weaning?
Every baby develops on their own timeline, and the suggestions on how to cut or prepare particular foods are generalizations for a broad audience. Your child is an individual and may have needs or considerations beyond generally accepted practices. In determining the recommendations for size and shape of foods, we use the best available scientific information regarding gross, fine, and oral motor development to minimize choking risk. The preparation suggestions we offer are for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for child-specific, one-on-one advice from your pediatric medical or health professional or provider. It is impossible to fully eliminate all risk of a baby or child choking on any liquid, puree, or food. We advise you to follow all safety protocols we suggest to create a safe eating environment and to make educated choices for your child regarding their specific needs. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read or seen here.
6 to 12 months old:
Fresh cranberries must be stewed and smashed to break down their hard, round shapes before serving to your baby. As the berries cook, they soften, burst, and release their juices. Before serving, double check that all whole cranberries have popped, and if they didn’t, gently smash them with a fork or potato masher before serving.
12 to 24 months old:
Continue to serve cooked cranberries in the form of a sauce and if you feel your toddler is ready, offer whole cooked cranberries (smash between your fingers slightly to reduce the choking risk.)
Cranberries freeze well and a little cranberry sauce goes a long way. Make a batch of cranberry sauce, divide into ice cube trays, freeze, then store the frozen cubes in a sealed container until you’re ready to serve.
For more information on how to cut food for babies, visit our page on Food Sizes & Shapes.
Baby’s First Cranberry Sauce
Not sure how to introduce this food? Give this recipe a try. Feel free to substitute ingredients and flavor the food with your favorite seasonings.
Ingredients
Whole cranberries (frozen or fresh)
Coconut oil or unsalted butter
Water
Directions
Rinse the cranberries in a colander and pick out any stems and leaves.
Place the cranberries in a saucepan with a tiny splash of water, and good whop of coconut oil. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium low.
Simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 30 minutes, or until the cranberries have completely cooked down. As the cranberries begin to soften, use a fork or potato masher to smash any remaining whole berries.
Let the cranberry sauce cool, then set aside the portion you want to serve right away. Divide the rest in an ice cube tray and freeze. Store the cubes in a sealed container for future mealtimes.
Serve the fresh cranberry sauce on top of ricotta cheese or yogurt, on toast, or on the side of brisket, duck, or venison. A little cranberry goes a long way!
Pairings
Cranberries pair well with cheese, gamey meats such as quail and venison, and with fatty meats like brisket and pork shoulder. Once you’ve introduced cranberries, consider adding some spices to the sauce as well. Cranberry pairs well with cardamom, cinnamon, and ginger.
Written and reviewed by these specialists
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The content offered on SolidStarts.com is for informational purposes only. Solidstarts is not engaged in rendering professional advice, whether medical or otherwise, to individual users or their children or families. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or your medical or health professional, nutritionist, or expert in pediatric feeding and eating. By accessing the content on SolidStarts.com, you acknowledge and agree that you are accepting the responsibility for your child’s health and well-being. In return for providing you with an array of content “baby-led weaning” information, you waive any claims that you or your child may have as a result of utilizing the content on SolidStarts.com.
