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Learn moreNapa Cabbage
Vegetable
Age Suggestion
6 months
Iron-Rich
No
Common Allergen
No
When can babies have napa cabbage?
Napa cabbage may be introduced as soon as baby is ready to start solids, which is generally around 6 months of age.
Napa cabbage originated in East Asia, where for centuries it has been cultivated as a vegetable known as baechu, dàbáicài, and hakusai, among other names. It is part of the same plant family as bok choy, mustard greens, and turnip, but the flavor tends to be more mellow. In the 19th century, colonization, migration, and trade introduced napa cabbage beyond East Asia, and today it has become a staple food in many different food cultures, from its native home of Asia to Central America to Europe.
How do you serve napa cabbage 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 finely chopped or shredded cooked napa cabbage mixed into mashed vegetables, porridge, or another soft food for baby to scoop. While you can offer the cooked cabbage on its own, the small pieces may cling to baby’s tongue and the inside of their mouth, which can cause gagging. Finely chopped or shredded fermented cabbage like kimchi can also be offered this way once any common allergens in the food have been safely introduced.
Alternatively, offer a napa cabbage rib (the thicker, firmer stem of a leaf), either raw or cooked, with the flimsy leafy parts removed. At this age, baby is not likely to bite, chew, and swallow napa cabbage, but rather munch and teethe on it, which helps develop oral-motor skills. This means baby won’t consume any of the food, but will practice valuable eating skills in working with it.
9 months old +:
Continue to offer finely chopped or shredded cooked napa cabbage mixed into mashed vegetables, porridge, or another soft, scoopable food. While you can offer the cooked cabbage on its own, small pieces may cling to the tongue and inside the mouth. Mixing the small pieces into soft scoopable foods can minimize coughing and gagging. Finely chopped or shredded fermented napa cabbage like kimchi can also be offered this way once any common allergens in the food have been safely introduced. At this age, you can also offer chopped cooked napa cabbage in porridge, stew, or another family meal; just know that the pieces may stick to baby’s tongue or the inside of their mouth. This may cause some harmless gagging; to reduce discomfort, cook the cabbage until it is very soft, or offer a small drink in an open cup to help wash down the food.
Alternatively, offer a raw or cooked napa cabbage rib (the thicker, firmer stem of a leaf) with the flimsy leafy parts removed. Baby may not consume much when cabbage is offered this way, and that’s expected. Managing this shape and texture is excellent practice for biting, tearing, and moving firmer textures around in the mouth.
12 months old +:
Serve bite-sized pieces of napa cabbage, raw or cooked, as finger food or utensil practice. At this age, if you are serving napa cabbage rolls or wraps, you can deconstruct the wrap and offer the child age-appropriate components to eat on their own: a large cooked napa cabbage leaf for biting and tearing practice with the filling on the side; just be sure to remove or modify chunks or cubes of meat and any other choking hazards to reduce the risk.
Is napa cabbage a choking hazard for babies?
No. Napa cabbage poses a low risk of choking, though in theory, an individual could choke on any food. To reduce the risk, prepare and serve napa cabbage in an age-appropriate way as described in the How to Serve section. Napa cabbage and other leafy greens can cause some gagging or coughing as the leaves cling to baby’s tongue or the roof of their mouth. Offer a drink in an open cup to help baby wash any pieces of food down. 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 napa cabbage a common allergen?
No. Napa cabbage is not classified as a common allergen by the World Health Organization. That said, allergic reactions to cabbage have been reported. Napa cabbage is part of the cruciferous vegetable family and individuals who are allergic or sensitive to other members of the cruciferous family, such as mustard greens and broccoli, could theoretically be sensitive to napa cabbage as well.
Individuals with Oral Allergy Syndrome (also known as pollen food allergy syndrome), and in particular, those with sensitivities to mugwort pollen, may also be sensitive to cruciferous vegetables, like napa cabbage. Oral Allergy Syndrome typically results in short-lived itching, tingling, or burning in the mouth and is unlikely to result in a dangerous reaction. Cooking napa cabbage can help minimize or even eliminate the reaction.
As you would when introducing any new food, start by offering a small quantity for the first few servings. If there is no adverse reaction, gradually increase the quantity over future meals.
Is napa cabbage healthy for babies?
Yes. Napa cabbage is packed with folate, vitamins B6, C, and K, and antioxidants. These nutrients work to support the nervous system, blood clotting, bone health, immune system, resilience, and much more. Napa cabbage is also packed with plant compounds, like glucosinolates, that may have anti-cancer and gut microbiome-boosting properties.
Since napa cabbage is rich in fiber and carbohydrates, it can contribute to some gas and temporary discomfort as the bacteria in baby’s intestines process the fibers. Offer fiber-rich foods regularly and to baby’s individual tolerance, and over time, their digestive system will adjust. Overall, napa cabbage helps support a healthy digestive system and some gas is completely normal for all ages.
Do I need to worry about the nitrates in napa cabbage?
No. Offer vegetables that contain nitrates (arugula, beets, carrots, lettuce, spinach, and squash, to name a few) as part of a variety of foods in the diet. Nitrates are naturally-occurring compounds which, if consumed in excess, may negatively affect oxygen levels in the blood. That said, babies who are allowed to self-feed typically do not consume excessive amounts of solid food because they need lots of practice to learn how to eat it. Nitrates in vegetables are generally not a cause for concern, and the benefits of introducing these vegetables as part of a balanced diet typically outweigh the unlikely risk of excessive consumption.
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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