Age Suggestion
6 months
Iron-Rich
No
Common Allergen
No
Cucumber may be introduced as soon as baby is ready to start solids, which is generally around 6 months of age.
Cucumbers are native to Southeast Asia, and today they grow worldwide wherever the weather is sunny and warm. There are so many varieties to try: small thin-skinned Persian cucumbers, extra-long Japanese cucumbers, round lemon cucumbers, seedless English cucumbers, and the ubiquitous Kirby cucumbers, to name a few.
Yes. Cucumbers offer some fiber, and vitamins C and K, nutrients that help support hydration, digestion, wound healing, and blood clotting. They also contain a dash of calcium, iron, folate, and zinc to support bone, red blood cell, nervous system, and immune health. Cucumbers also contain antioxidants which can help reduce inflammation and stress in the body.
No. Allergies to cucumbers are rare, though individuals with Oral Allergy Syndrome who are allergic to ragweed may be sensitive to cucumber. Oral Allergy Syndrome typically results in short-lived itching or burning in the mouth and is unlikely to result in a dangerous reaction.
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. Raw cucumber is firm, slippery, chewy, and often cut in tapered shapes, qualities that increase the risk of choking. To reduce the risk, prepare and serve cucumber in an age-appropriate way. 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 pickled cucumbers (pickles) as soon as they are developmentally ready for solids, typically around 6 months of age. Minimize choking risk by sharing pickles that are cut in shapes that are safe for a child’s age and eating ability. Keep in mind that quick-pickled cucumbers and other vegetables may be firmer and pose a higher risk than those that have been commercially preserved or fermented for a longer time at home.
Every baby develops on their own timeline, and the suggestions on how to cut or prepare particular foods are generalizations for a broad audience.
Slice a large cucumber in half lengthwise with the skin on. This size and shape is easy for baby to hold and move around the mouth on their own, which builds skill and awareness of how the mouth works. If you feel comfortable, you can also serve a whole Persian cucumber, a smaller variety also known as the mini-cucumber with the rounded ends cut off. Leaving the skin on decreases choking risk by making it harder to bite off pieces, less slippery, and easier for baby to hold. Alternatively, offer long, wide rectangles (thinly sliced) of large cucumber with the skin on or off. The slices should be thick enough that they do not flop over as baby holds them. To help baby get a hold of the rectangle, hold it vertically in the air in front of baby and let them try to grab it. If baby is able to bite off a big piece, stay calm and let baby work with it. If necessary, baby may spit, gag, or cough the piece out, which are all perfectly normal at this stage.
Worried about the seeds? Try not to be. Cucumber seeds are not a choking hazard and because they are mixed into the flesh of the cucumber, there is a low risk of aspiration or choking.
Offer cucumbers cut into long, wide, flat slices with the skin on or off (either is fine) and serve along a food high in protein or fat for a boost of nutrition. When baby has developed a pincer grasp, consider offering cucumber that has been cut into thin rounds. Feel free to leave the skin on or remove it, as desired.
Explore a variety of cuts: thin rounds, thin half-moons, either with or without the skin. Hold off on serving bite-sized chunks or spears of cucumber (which can be broken into chunks) at this age, as these shapes pose a high choking risk.
Explore a variety of cuts: thin rounds, thin half-moons, and long thin rectangular slices, either with or without the skin. If the toddler has had experience with biting and tearing, you can consider offering whole Persian or mini cucumbers with the rounded ends cut off, or long spears cut from a larger cucumber with the tapered ends cut off. Cutting off the tapered ends of the spear (which are closer in size to the child’s airway) can reduce the choking risk. Coach the child to take small bites by modeling how it is done: once you have their attention, slowly take a bite and chew with your teeth in an exaggerated way so the child can watch and learn. Make sure to maintain a safe eating environment, and end the activity if the child is distracted or not staying seated. Hold off on serving bite-sized chunks of cucumber at this age, as this shape requires significant grinding ability to break down.
Around this age, if the toddler has had practice biting, tearing, and chewing from spears or mini cucumbers, and when you feel the child has developed mature eating skills (taking small bites, moving food to the side of the mouth when chewing, chewing thoroughly before swallowing, not stuffing food in their mouth, and identifying and spitting out foods when they are not well chewed, they may be ready to practice chewing chunks of cucumber. Coach the child to carefully take one piece at a time and chew with their molars by modeling how it is done: once you have their attention, slowly place a piece in your mouth and chew with your teeth in an exaggerated way so the child can watch and learn. Say “Watch me. I am going to move this to my big strong back teeth to chew.” Make sure to maintain a safe eating environment, and end the activity if the child is distracted or not staying seated.
Find out if your baby is ready to start solids on our Readiness to Start Solid Food FAQ page.
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