Goose
Meat
Age Suggestion
6 months
Iron-Rich
Yes
Common Allergen
No
When can babies have goose?
Goose, when well-cooked, may be offered as soon as baby is ready to start solids, which is generally around 6 months of age.
Wild geese have inhabited fields, marshes, and open waters all over the globe for thousands of years. Wild geese show up in the ancient art of Asia, old fairytales of Europe, hieroglyphics of North Africa, and the time-honored traditions of First Nations peoples of North America. Humans learned to breed geese long ago in the region around the Mediterranean Sea, and today, most goose meat, eggs, fat, and liver come from birds raised on farms, rather than hunted geese. But both wild and domesticated geese are edible—they just require different cooking methods to draw out their rich flavor. Domesticated goose meat tends to be fattier, softer, and less dense than that of wild goose, whose muscles toughen during the bird’s seasonal migration.
How do you serve goose 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 large, flat strips of cooked goose meat (any bone, loose cartilage, and skin removed) about the size of two adult fingers pressed together. Keep in mind that cooked goose can be quite firm, which means baby may not swallow much, and it will act more like a teether. Keep in mind that there is benefit in this oral exploration, even if nothing is swallowed. If baby succeeds in biting off a big piece, take a deep breath and give the child the opportunity to push the food out with their tongue. You can even kneel down next to the high chair so that baby looks down at you, allowing gravity to help the food move out of the mouth. Alternatively, give baby a drumstick bone with all meat, loose cartilage, and skin removed. While baby won’t get any food in the belly this way, munching on the bone helps develop oral-motor skills. Hold off on any glazed goose dishes that contain honey, which carries an increased risk of infant botulism for babies under 12 months of age.
9 months old +:
Serve shredded or finely chopped pieces of goose meat, either on their own or as part of a dish. To minimize the risk of choking, refrain from offering cubes of meat. Try not to fret when you see baby trying to shovel food into their mouth: it is normal at this age and a learning experience for the child to understand what “too much food” feels like in the mouth. Hold off on any glazed goose dishes that contain honey, which carries an increased risk of infant botulism for babies under 12 months of age.
12 months old +:
Serve bite-sized pieces of goose meat for toddlers to practice picking up with fingers or a utensil. When you feel comfortable with the toddler’s biting and chewing skills, increase the size of food by serving a whole drumstick with the skin and loose pieces of cartilage and fat removed.
How to prepare goose for babies 6 months+
How to prepare goose for toddlers 12 months+
Videos
Is goose a choking hazard for babies?
Yes. Goose can be firm and challenging to chew, which are qualities that increase the risk of choking. To reduce the risk, refrain from cutting goose 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 goose 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 goose a common allergen?
No. Goose is not a common food allergen. However, individuals with allergies to chicken meat may have an increased risk of allergy to goose due to cross-reactivity of allergenic proteins. Goose is not commonly reported as a potential trigger for FPIES (Food Protein-Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome). However, it is closely related to chicken and turkey, which are known triggers of FPIES. FPIES results in delayed vomiting with or without diarrhea beginning 2 to 4 hours after the ingestion of the meat.
Some individuals with known allergy to feather and egg may 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. Therefore, routine testing for goose meat allergy is not recommended in cases of egg allergy.
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 goose healthy for babies?
Yes. Goose is an excellent source of protein and fats, including omega-3 fatty acids, which babies need for healthy growth, development, and brain function. Goose 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.
Avoid glazed goose dishes that contain honey, which should not be given to babies under 12 months of age due to the risk of infant botulism.
★ Tip: To minimize the risk of foodborne illness, goose should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius) (even though many recipes direct the meat to be served on the rare side). Always wash your hands and any surfaces that come into contact with raw goose, and do not wash goose before cooking. Washing raw goose creates droplets that can contaminate the kitchen and increase the risk of illness.
What utensils do I need to get started?
None! Put solid food directly on baby’s tray, plate, or bowl, then let baby explore with their hands. If you like, keep a baby spoon or fork nearby to help familiarize the child with utensils, but the skills to use them are not expected until early toddlerhood.
Does baby need a high chair?
While a high chair can help create a safe eating environment, there are alternative ways for baby to eat safely, such as holding the child on your lap or sitting together on the floor. For more information, see our article on high chairs.
Our Team
Written by
Dr. Rachel Ruiz
Pediatrician & pediatric gastroenterologist
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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