Vinegar

Vinegar may be introduced as an ingredient in solid food in small amounts as soon as baby is ready to start solids, which is generally around 6 months of age. Just read labels to ensure the vinegar does not contain honey, which is unsafe for babies under 12 months of age, and know that the acidity may irritate baby’s skin and cause a harmless facial rash. Acidic foods can also cause or worsen diaper rash when consumed in excess.

An ancient ingredient, vinegar is made when bacteria convert the sugar in foods or liquids into an acid with a distinctive tart and tangy flavor. A diverse array of foods can provide the source material for vinegar, changing the taste and nutritional profile of the final product: some are made from grapes (like balsamic, champagne, raisin, sherry, and wine vinegars), some made from other fruits (like apple cider or persimmon vinegars), and others from grains (like distilled, malt, or rice vinegars).

Yes. Although typically consumed in small amounts, vinegar contains amino acids, polyphenols, unique flavor compounds, and more. When shopping for vinegar, read the ingredients and avoid products that contain honey (which carries a risk of infant botulism for babies under 12 months of age).

Vinegar in typical food preparations is fine, but avoid using vinegar as a home remedy for children or serving vinegar on its own in large amounts. When consumed in excess, vinegar’s high acidity can cause tooth erosion and digestive upset.

No. Allergic reactions to vinegar are rare. However, vinegars are commonly preserved with sulfites. In sulfite-sensitive individuals, consuming sulfites can cause an allergy-like reaction and/or asthma flare-ups. If you suspect baby is sensitive to sulfites or would like to avoid them, read labels for the phrase “contains sulfites.”

Note that vinegars may also have added ingredients that contain common food allergens, so be sure to read ingredient lists thoroughly.

Vinegar is naturally high in histamine and can also promote the release of histamine from white blood cells in the body's tissues. In sensitive individuals, excessive intake of high-histamine foods can result in symptoms similar to those of an allergic reaction, such as rashes and gastrointestinal discomfort. If you find that baby is sensitive to foods that are high in histamine, symptoms may be alleviated by offering the food in smaller quantities.

Although not an allergic reaction, acidic foods like vinegar can cause contact skin rashes. If this occurs, consider applying a thin layer of a barrier ointment, such as pure petroleum jelly or a plant-based oil/wax combination, to baby’s skin before meals and clean up shortly after eating to minimize the reaction. Acidic foods can also cause or worsen diaper rash when consumed in excess. If this occurs, apply a thick barrier cream or ointment to the diaper area and limit prolonged contact with a wet/dirty diaper. As always, talk to your pediatric healthcare professional for individualized guidance and care.

As you would when introducing any new food, start by offering a small quantity of vinegar for the first few servings. If there is no adverse reaction, gradually increase the quantity over future meals.

No. Vinegar presents a low risk when safely prepared for a child’s age and developmental ability, though, in theory, an individual could choke on any food. To reduce the risk, prepare and serve vinegar 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.

Some vinegars do contain alcohol, but only in trace amounts. Unless alcohol has been added, most vinegars are generally fine to share with baby when small amounts are used in an age-appropriate way, such as in dressings or cooked dishes.

Yes, as long as the child does not have a sensitivity to sulfites. Sulfites are naturally present in many vinegars and are also added to other foods as a preservative. Sulfite quantities in foods and their impact are a topic under consideration by some regulatory bodies. In the United States, sulfites are generally recognized as safe by the Food and Drug Administration when used according to legal regulations such as to preserve certain foods.

In sensitive individuals, consuming sulfites can cause an allergy-like reaction and cause asthma flare-ups. If you suspect baby is sensitive to sulfites or would like to avoid them, look for the phrase “contains sulfites” on labels and avoid. If sulfites are a concern, avoid ingredients such as sulfur dioxide, potassium bisulfate, potassium metabisulfite, sodium bisulfite, sodium metabisulfite, and sodium sulfite to name a few and talk to your pediatric healthcare professional for further guidance.

After a child’s first birthday, vinegar-based drinks (vinegar tonics, vinegar tea, etc.) can be offered in small amounts, diluted with water, in an open cup. Because vinegar is highly acidic, it may cause tooth erosion and digestive upset when consumed in excess, unless watered down significantly.