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Learn moreDumpling
Prepared
Age Suggestion
6 months
Iron-Rich
No
Common Allergen
No
When can babies have dumplings?
Dumplings may be introduced as soon as baby is ready to start solids, which is generally around 6 months of age, as long as any choking hazards inside them have been modified for a child’s age and eating ability.
Dumplings are found in cultures all over the world and vary widely in preparation, shape, and filling–even the definition of a dumpling can actually be pretty hard to pin down. From Chinese jiaozi, baozi, and wontons; Japanese gyoza; Korean mandu; Tibetan momo, and many other regional dumplings reflect a long history of culinary traditions, family gatherings, and comfort food. Depending on the type, dumplings can be steamed, boiled, baked, or pan-fried, served on their own or as part of soups, stir fries, and more.
How do you serve dumplings 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 a whole, large, soft dumpling with a soft, mashable filling for baby to explore and munch on. Make sure the dumpling is large enough that baby can’t put the whole thing in their mouth at once. Serving the dumpling covered in a bit of sauce or oil can make the food easier for baby to manage in their mouth (although it can also make it more slippery in their hands). Young babies may not have the biting skill needed to pierce the outside of the dumpling, and that’s okay. If you want baby to taste the inside, offer just the soft filling mixed into another scoopable food for baby to try. If the dumpling’s filling is springy or slippery, qualities that can increase the choking risk, you can finely chop or thoroughly mash it before mixing into a scoopable food. Make sure any common allergens in the dumpling, such as wheat or soy, have been safely introduced before serving.
9 months old +:
Offer whole dumplings as long as they are large and soft. Baby may be able to tear open or take bites of the outside of the dumpling more easily at this age, and that’s okay. It’s normal to see baby spit out pieces of the dumpling as they practice the challenging textures. Alternatively, you can serve the dumpling cut into bite-sized pieces for baby to pick up with their developing pincer grasp. If the dumpling’s filling is springy or slippery, qualities that can increase the choking risk, you can finely chop or thoroughly mash it before mixing into a scoopable food. Make sure any common allergens in the dumpling, such as wheat or soy, have been safely introduced before serving.
12 months old +:
Serve whole dumplings for the child to practice tearing and biting—the resistive texture of the outside of many dumplings makes for great practice with these skills. You can also serve dumplings cut into bite-sized pieces, halves, or quarters, as desired, and offer the pieces for the child to pick up with their hands or practice with age-appropriate utensils. Continue to make sure that any fillings that pose an increased choking risk, such as very springy, slippery, or firm foods, have been mashed or finely chopped.
18 months old +:
Serve whole dumplings for the child to practice tearing and biting. The resistive texture of the dough makes for great practice with these skills, and at this age, you may see the child better able to take bites from even pan-fried, firmer dumplings. You can also serve dumplings cut into bite-sized pieces, halves, or quarters. Continue to serve with toppings and sauces as desired.
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Are dumplings a choking hazard for babies?
Yes. Depending on the type, the dumpling’s exterior can be challenging to chew, and the filling can be firm, slippery, and chewy, which are qualities that pose an increased risk of choking. To reduce the risk, prepare and serve dumplings in an age-appropriate way as described in the How to Serve section. As always, create a safe eating environment and stay within reach of baby during meals.
Learn the signs of choking and more about choking first aid in our free guides, Infant Rescue and Toddler Rescue.
Do dumplings contain common allergens?
Yes, although it depends on the specific type. Dumplings often contain egg, finned fish, shellfish, peanuts, sesame, soy, and wheat.
Prior to sharing dumplings with baby, it is important to introduce common food allergens on their own and rule them out as allergens before serving them together in a prepared food. This way, you’ll be able to identify which allergen is responsible if baby has a reaction. Then, when you are ready to offer dumplings, you will be confident that baby has already safely eaten any common food allergens in the food.
Are dumplings healthy for babies?
Yes, they can be. The nutritional profile of dumplings depends on what they’re made of: they may offer protein from meats, seafood, or tofu; carbohydrates from the dough; and fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants from an assortment of vegetables. Together, these nutrients provide the building blocks for growth, development, neurological and digestive functioning, immunity, skin health, bodily resilience, and more.
Dumplings and the foods they are served with can be high in sodium, but sharing meals, even if those meals contain some salt, can bring baby into their family food culture as soon as they are ready to start solids, which has other benefits. Family meals are opportunities for baby to explore a wide variety of food, practice eating food with different colors, flavors, and textures, and get comfortable with food that the rest of the family likes to eat.
Should dumplings be boiled or steamed?
Both boiled and steamed dumplings can be just fine for babies. Some dumplings lend themselves better to being steamed or boiled, depending on the type. Ultimately, choose what makes the most sense for the meal you’re enjoying and what is accessible to you.
Can babies eat restaurant dumplings?
Generally, yes. But check the texture and ingredients before sharing with baby. Make sure the filling is soft and mashable, and that any common allergens in the dumplings have been safely introduced before baby joins the meal. Dumplings from restaurants can be particularly high in sodium, but sharing the occasional high-sodium meal is not a cause for concern.
Our Team
Written by
Dr. Sakina Bajowala
Pediatrician & pediatric allergist/immunologist
Kim Grenawitzke
Pediatric occupational therapist, feeding & swallowing specialist, international board-certified lactation consultant
Venus Kalami
Pediatric registered dietitian & nutritionist
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