App First Foods® Database Gift Toddlers Book

Duck

Meat

Age Suggestion

6 months

Iron-Rich

Yes

Common Allergen

When can babies have duck?

Duck, when well-cooked, may be introduced as soon as baby is ready to start solids, which is generally around 6 months of age.

These adaptable and ubiquitous birds were likely first domesticated thousands of years ago in East Asia, and today, domesticated ducks are raised for both egg production and meat across the globe. Both wild and domesticated ducks are edible—they just require different cooking methods to draw out their rich flavor. Domesticated duck meat tends to be fattier, softer, and less dense than that of wild duck.

How do you serve duck 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 +:

Offer long strips of duck meat about the size of two adult fingers pressed together and remove any bone, loose chunks of cartilage, and all skin to minimize the risk of choking. If baby bites off a piece, take a deep breath and give the child the opportunity to push the food out with their tongue.

Alternatively, give baby a large drumstick bone with loose cartilage, loose pieces of meat or fat, and skin removed. Lastly, you can finely chop or shred duck meat and mix it into a soft, scoopable food, such as mashed vegetables, porridge, or yogurt.

9 months old +:

Serve shredded or flat, bite-sized slices of cooked duck meat for baby to pick up with their developing pincer grasp (where the thumb and index finger meet). These pieces can be offered on their own or as part of a dish. Try duck that has been slow-cooked or braised or duck served in a sauce: these cooking methods soften the meat, which makes it easier for baby to chew and manage the food. You can also let baby munch on a whole duck drumstick as long as loose gristle, cartilage, and skin have been removed. To minimize the risk of choking, refrain from offering cubes of duck meat.

12 months old +:

Serve bite-sized pieces of cooked duck for toddlers to pick up with fingers or a utensil. Duck that has been slow-cooked or braised, or duck served in a sauce, will likely be easier for the child to manage than dry meat on its own. When you feel comfortable with the toddler’s biting and chewing skills, serve a whole drumstick with loose pieces of cartilage removed. The skin and fat can also be removed for added safety, as these can be a bit challenging to chew, but know that the more familiar a toddler becomes with these textures, the more likely they will be to practice and accept them over time.

a hand holding one thick slice of cooked duck meat — A long strip of duck meat for babies 6 mos +

a hand holding small shredded pieces of cooked duck meat — Shredded pieces of duck for babies 9 mos +

a hand holding six bite-sized pieces of duck — Bite-sized pieces of duck for toddlers 12 months +

Videos

Riley, 7 months, eats a strip of duck meat.

Cooper, 14 months, eats shredded pieces of duck meat.

Is duck a choking hazard for babies?

Yes. Duck can be firm and challenging to chew, which are qualities that increase the risk of choking. To reduce the risk, refrain from cutting duck into chunks or cubes and prepare and serve it in an age-appropriate way as described in the How to Serve section. Also, be sure not to overcook duck as this causes it to be dry and more challenging to chew and move backwards to swallow. 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.

Is duck a common allergen?

No. Duck meat is not a common allergen, though individuals with chicken meat or turkey meat allergies can also be allergic to duck meat, and cases of poultry allergy have been reported.

Duck has been reported as a trigger for FPIES (food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome), which results in delayed vomiting with or without diarrhea 2 to 4 hours after the ingestion of duck meat. While rare, certain individuals with fish allergies may have an increased risk of being sensitive to poultry, such as duck. Some individuals with known allergy to feather and egg also have positive allergy test results to poultry meat. However, this does not commonly result in symptoms after the ingestion of well-cooked meat, as the allergenic protein is heat sensitive.

As you would when introducing any new food, start by offering a small quantity during the first few servings. If there is no adverse reaction, gradually increase the amount over future meals.

Is duck healthy for babies?

Yes. Duck is an excellent source of protein and fats, including omega-3 fatty acids, which babies need for healthy growth, development, and brain function. Duck is also rich in choline, iron, selenium, zinc, and vitamins B6, B12, and E. Together, these nutrients support growth, brain development, energy to play and explore, healthy red blood cells, taste perception, immune health, hormone function, metabolic processes, and more.

Can babies eat wild duck?

Yes. Wild duck is safe for babies and toddlers as long as the meat is thoroughly cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 165 F (74 C) to reduce the risk of foodborne illness. If hunting duck or obtaining wild duck meat from others, ensure that it has been hunted, processed, inspected, and cooked with impeccable care. If you have the slightest doubt of the meat’s quality, do not serve it to baby.

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