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Learn morePork Chop
Meat
Age Suggestion
6 months
Iron-Rich
Yes
Common Allergen
No
When can babies have pork chops?
Pork chops, when well-cooked, may be introduced as soon as baby is ready to start solids, which is generally around 6 months of age.
Pork chops come from the loin of the pig and are one of the most popular cuts worldwide. They appear in cuisines across Europe, Asia, and the Americas, often pan-fried, grilled, or baked. Whether served boneless or bone-in, pork chops star worldwide in dishes from breaded pork schnitzel in Central Europe to Chinese-style braised pork chops to costillas a la riojana in Argentina.
How do you serve pork chops 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 baby a pork chop on the bone with most of the meat cut off (make sure no parts of the bone are brittle). You can also serve strips of pork chop about the size of two adult fingers pressed together or the pork chop bone (with any loose cartilage, meat, or fat removed) for baby to suck and munch on. Cooked pork can be quite resistive, and baby may not swallow much, which is completely fine. If baby succeeds in biting off a big piece of meat, take a deep breath and give the child the opportunity to work with the food independently. Coaching baby to spit out big pieces of food by sticking out your own tongue can be helpful, too. Lastly, you can finely chop the meat and mix it into stews or scoopable foods like mashed potato.
9 months old +:
Offer bite-sized shreds of pork for baby to pick up with their developing pincer grasp (where the thumb and pointer finger meet), or continue to serve strips of pork chop (on or off the bone) for baby to practice biting and tearing. Alternatively, you can finely chop the meat and mix it into stews or scoopable foods like mashed potato.
12 months old +:
Offer bite-sized shreds of pork as finger food or let the toddler practice with a utensil, or serve thin strips of pork chop for practice taking bites. To reduce the risk of choking, refrain from offering large chunks of pork or perfectly sized cubes.
Is pork chops a choking hazard for babies?
Yes. Pork can be firm and challenging to chew, which are qualities that increase the risk of choking. To reduce the risk, refrain from cutting pork 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 pork as this causes it to be dry and more challenging to chew and move backwards to swallow. 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.
Is pork a common allergen?
No. Pork is not a common food allergen, although reactions to pork have been reported. 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 pork, is consumed. However, some individuals with alpha gal allergy also react to small amounts of the sugar present in dairy products, gelatin, or organ tissues from mammals. Alpha gal allergy is more prevalent in the southeastern United States but is starting to become more common in other areas as the geographic distribution of the Lone Star tick expands. Although rare, some individuals with cat allergies may also develop a cross-reactive allergy to pork, a condition known as pork-cat syndrome.
Are pork chops healthy for babies?
Yes. Pork chops offer protein, vitamins B6 and B12, choline, and zinc, as well as some potassium and selenium. Together, these nutrients fuel cell growth, neurodevelopment, and power the endocrine, immune, and nervous systems.
★ Tip: Cook fresh pork to 145 degrees Fahrenheit (63 degrees Celsius) before serving. Undercooked and raw pork poses a high risk of foodborne illness and is associated with trichinosis (a parasite infection), taenesis (a parasite infection), yersiniosis (a bacterial infection), and other diseases.
Are boneless or bone-in pork chops better for babies?
Both boneless and bone-in pork chops are good for babies when served in age-appropriate ways. The bone in a bone-in pork chop brings the added benefit of acting as a food teether, helping baby build a mental map of their mouth.
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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