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Learn moreKimchi
Vegetable
Age Suggestion
6 months
Iron-Rich
No
Common Allergen
Yes
When can babies have kimchi?
Kimchi may be introduced as soon as baby is ready to start solids, which is generally around 6 months of age. While kimchi can be high in sodium, an occasional taste is fine as part of a balanced diet. Avoid kimchi that contains honey until 12 months of age due to the risk of infant botulism.
Globally, kimchi is widely recognized as a spicy cabbage dish with lots of garlic, scallions, and heat from chili peppers. But for Koreans (and fans of Korean cooking) kimchi means “fermented vegetables” and describes a wide variety of dishes in which vegetables have been pickled. Cooks like to make kimchi with all kinds of plants, from cucumbers, eggplants, and tomatoes; to greens like chives, cilantro, mustard leaves, and spinach. In many homes, kimchi is eaten at breakfast, lunch, and dinner—and widely beloved for its savory crunch and healthy probiotics.
How do you serve kimchi 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 +:
Finely chop kimchi and stir into scoopable foods like noodles, porridge, or rice, or mix into foods that baby can pick up and munch on, like a strip of pancake or large, soft meatball. Alternatively, serve a large piece from the kimchi about the size of two adult fingers pressed together. Just know that baby will not consume much, if any, of the food when it is offered this way, but munching on it helps expose baby to the flavor.
If desired, you can rinse the kimchi under running water to reduce some of the spiciness and sodium in the food before serving. Keep in mind that kimchi often contains common allergens like fish, shellfish, sesame, and soy, so make sure to read the food label and safely introduce any allergens in the food to rule out an allergy before serving kimchi.
9 months old +:
Offer kimchi that has been chopped into bite-sized pieces, on their own for baby to pick up with their developing pincer grasp or mixed into shared meals. Keep in mind that the texture of kimchi varies depending on the vegetables used in it and the amount of time that the dish has fermented. Double-check firm ingredients like cabbage and radish to make sure they’re soft enough for baby to mash with their gums. If they’re not, remove them from baby’s portion or finely chop them.
12 months old +:
Serve kimchi as desired, including in larger pieces for the child to practice biting and tearing. Offer the food on its own, or as part of a mixed dish.
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Is kimchi a choking hazard for babies?
It can be, depending on the ingredients used and the amount of time the food has fermented. While some kimchi can be soft and easy to chew, it can also be slippery and challenging to chew, qualities that increase the risk of choking. To reduce the risk, prepare and serve kimchi in an age-appropriate way as described in the How to Serve section. 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.
Does kimchi contain common allergens?
Yes. Many kimchi recipes contain anchovy (fish) and/or shrimp (crustacean shellfish) as well as sesame and soy, all of which are common allergens. While allergies to cabbage are extremely rare, babies allergic or sensitive to mustard greens (or mustard seed) may have an allergic reaction to kimchi. Be sure to read the labels when you’re buying store-bought kimchi, as there are often many ingredients.
As you would with any new food, introduce kimchi by serving a small quantity the first few times. If there is no adverse reaction, gradually increase the quantity over future servings.
Is kimchi healthy for babies?
Yes. Kimchi offers fiber, probiotics, and a variety of vitamins and minerals depending on what vegetable is used, including folate and vitamins B6, C, and K. Together, these nutrients work together to support baby’s developing gut microbiome, offer beneficial bacteria for digestive health, and nourish baby with a variety of micronutrients needed for growth and development.
Kimchi can be high in sodium. That said, the amount of solid food that babies consume at this age tends to be low as they practice feeding themselves, and, as a result, the amount of sodium consumed can also be low. Learn more about sodium in food for babies.
How much food should I serve to baby?
When first getting started, offer a small amount and trust that baby knows how to show interest in wanting more by grunting, pointing, or reaching out. Keep in mind that most babies between 6 and 9 months of age do not consume much solid food at first. For babies between 10 and 12 months of age, work toward what a balanced adult meal would look like, just with smaller portions than what you might have. Follow the child’s lead: when baby indicates “more”, offer more food. When baby shows signs that they are finished, stop offering food.
How many meals per day should baby eat?
It’s flexible. Generally speaking, bring baby to the table at least once per day between 6 and 7 months of age, twice per day between 8 and 9 months of age, and 3 times per day starting at around 10 months of age. See our sample feeding schedules for details.
Our Team
Written by
Kim Grenawitzke
Pediatric occupational therapist, feeding & swallowing specialist, international board-certified lactation consultant
Venus Kalami
Pediatric registered dietitian & nutritionist
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