Mutton (Sheep)

Mutton may be introduced as soon as baby is ready to start solids, which is generally around 6 months of age.

Mutton is the red meat of adult sheep—although there’s some ambiguity in the name, depending on where you live. In some regions, mutton refers to goat meat, and in others, mutton refers to the meat of both adult and young sheep (lamb). While mutton is a staple food in much of the world, it remains hard to find in other regions (including North America). Compared to lamb, mutton tends to have more intense flavor and tougher texture, so it is often prepared by braising, marinating, or stewing the meat to help soften it.

Yes. Mutton is rich in protein and fats to support baby’s rapid growth. It is also filled with other essential nutrients, such as heme iron, zinc, selenium, choline, vitamins B6 and B12, in addition to omega-3 fatty acids. Together, these nutrients work to prevent anemia, support a healthy metabolism, aid growth and development, and build a strong immune system. Babies need increasing amounts of iron starting at the 6-month mark, when their reserves become depleted, and mutton is a great source of iron.

Avoid products like mutton sausage, macon (mutton bacon), and other cured or processed lamb or mutton until after the first birthday due to high sodium and nitrate levels.

★Tip: Ground mutton is a high-risk food for foodborne illness such as E. coli and Salmonella if not cooked thoroughly. When cooking ground mutton, it is important to heat the meat to an internal temperature of 160 F (71 C).

Yes. Meat is a common cause of choking. To minimize the risk, refrain from serving chunks or cubes of meat, and prepare mutton according to baby’s age and eating ability. As always, make sure you create a safe eating environment and stay within an arm’s reach of baby during meals. For more information on choking, visit our sections on gagging and choking and familiarize yourself with the list of common choking hazards.

No. Mutton is not a common food allergen, although mutton allergy has been reported. Cooking the meat decreases the risk of developing an allergic reaction to mutton. In addition, certain tick bites (mainly the Lone Star tick in the continental United States, but other ticks in different parts of the world), are associated with the development of an allergy to galactose-alpha-1, 3-galactose (“alpha gal”), a sugar which is present in all non-primate mammalian meat. This results in a delayed allergic reaction 3-8 hours after red meat, such as mutton, is consumed. Some individuals with alpha gal allergy also react to small amounts of the sugar present in dairy products, gelatin, or organ tissues (such as liver) from mammals.

Some individuals with an allergy to mutton will also exhibit contact sensitivity to wool or lanolin (a wool alcohol), but most individuals with wool or lanolin sensitivity can consume mutton without experiencing any reaction.

As you would when introducing any new food, start by offering a small quantity for the first few servings and watch closely as baby eats. If there is no adverse reaction, gradually increase the serving size over time.

Babies can eat meatballs starting at 6 months of age as long as the meatballs are thoroughly cooked, soft, and at least 2 inches (5 cm) in diameter. The bigger the meatball, the less likely that baby will pop the whole thing in their mouth. The softer the meatball, the lower the risk of choking: to soften meatballs, cook them in sauce or stew or mix softening ingredients into the meatball batter, such as breadcrumbs, cooked grains, or nut or seed flours.

Take care with pre-cooked or store-bought frozen meatballs: they are often high in sodium, as well as small (closer in size to a baby’s mouth) and firm, qualities that increase the risk of choking. When sharing these types of meatballs with babies, minimize the risk of choking by breaking the meatballs into tiny crumbles to mix into a soft, scoopable food.

Meatballs can cause gagging as they fall apart in the mouth, and if the meat is dry, it can stick to the roof of the mouth, leading to more intense gagging and even a vomit. If this happens, try to stay calm and give baby the opportunity to work the food forward on their own. As babies munch on a large meatball, they may break down the food into smaller sizes. If the smaller size makes you nervous, simply take away the smaller piece and replace it with a new, large meatball. You can also break the pieces into crumbles and mix them into another food, such as mashed potatoes, any puree or mash, or yogurt.

When making or purchasing meatballs to share with baby, watch the sodium levels. Some recipes or meatball products have sodium levels in excess of what babies need. Finally, know that meatballs may contain various common allergens, including dairy, egg, sesame, and wheat. Be sure to read the labels on store-bought prepared foods and safely introduce any allergens to the child before sharing the prepared food.