Popsicles for Babies & Toddlers

Popsicles, ice pops, or freeze pops can be a fun way to help a child cool down after some fun in the sun, but are popsicles safe for infants? Let's dig in.

Can babies have popsicles?

While there is no research to say when babies can have popsicles, there are a few things to consider before serving a popsicle to a baby. Traditionally, popsicles, freeze pops, and ice pops are made with frozen fruit juice or fruit puree. The American Academy of Pediatrics and World Health Organization recommend babies exclusively consume breast milk or formula ideally until 6 months of age; following those guidelines, we'd advise against offering babies fruit popsicles (or any other solid foods) until at least 6 months old.

If you have a toddler whose getting tricky at the table? Check out our Toddler guides and videos.

Can babies have breast milk popsicles, formula popsicles, or teething pops?

Some lactation consultants and infant specialists recommend offering breast milk popsicles or frozen formula ice pops as a way to soothe baby's sore gums while teething or encourage additional hydration if baby is sick and refusing to nurse or take a bottle. Cold items have long been established as a soothing relief for a teething baby, and a popsicle may provide relief for a baby popping teeth.

Literature loosely supports this as a strategy, as cold and chewing pressure can cause localized pain relief, and many moms attest to cold teethers as a relief for teething discomfort. Additionally, breast milk contains analgesic properties, and breast milk popsicles could be helpful for some babies struggling with teething pain. Finally, certain illnesses (e.g., Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease) can cause painful sores in the baby's mouth and lead to eating refusal; some parents report that allowing baby to chew on breast milk or formula popsicles helps baby stay hydrated and may soothe baby's mouth sufficiently to allow them to take the breast or a bottle.

Technically, breast milk or formula popsicles are nutritionally appropriate for babies younger than 6 months old; however, it’s quite challenging for a baby younger than 6 months old to hold and self-feed. In addition, when one physically places any solid food—even meltable food—into a baby's mouth (as opposed to letting baby bring it to their mouth independently), it can increase the risk of choking. Conversely, when a baby cognitively decides to bring food to their own mouth, the muscles and reflexes involved in swallowing are more coordinated.

As such, it would be wise to use abundant caution when giving popsicles to babies who can't hold them independently.

What are the risks of serving popsicles to babies?

First, stating the obvious, popsicles, freeze pops, and ice pops are very cold. While somewhat rare, it’s possible for baby to develop popsicle panniculitis, which can result in facial swelling and redness and bumps in and around the cheeks in some babies 6 to 72 hours after they suck on something cold or frozen.  While not dangerous, popsicle panniculitis can last for weeks. If your child has had popsicle panniculitis already you may want to limit exposure to very cold or frozen foods until they're a little older and less at risk of a recurrence of the condition.

From an oral motor and swallowing perspective, once a baby can bring something to their mouth (around 6 months of age), they should be able to manage the oral motor demands of a popsicle. Baby will likely gnaw, bite, and suck on the popsicle, melting it, and, depending on baby's experience moving liquid around in the mouth, baby may spit or swallow it. If the baby is not used to cold liquids, expect some coughing, but do not be alarmed—this is the body's natural response to the big sensory input from the cold and also a protective mechanism as baby learns to swallow liquid differently (i.e., not from a breast, bottle, or even cup or straw).

If baby uses their gums or teeth to bite off a piece of popsicle or ice pop, baby might allow the piece to fall out of their mouth. If not, the piece will immediately begin to melt, becoming smaller and smaller as baby uses the gums to mash up the soft ice. Don’t be alarmed if the baby coughs. A popsicle is what feeding therapists call a "mixed consistency"—it may be liquid and semi-solid in the mouth at the same time. Baby has to learn to hold both the liquid and the semi-solid in the mouth. Remember, coughing is a good thing—it’s the body's way of protecting baby from having something go the wrong way.

Are there benefits of giving popsicles to babies?

Babies learn through experiences, and eating a cold popsicle is a fun new experience that offers a lot of sensory information at once. Popsicles are sometimes used in feeding therapy to help improve swallowing safety and "alert" the mouth in preparation for eating new foods and building chewing skills. While too much cold can numb the mouth, a little bit of cold might help some babies map the inside of their mouth.

Another possible benefit is that popsicles are a mixed texture (liquid and solid), which is challenging for many babies. Mixed textures can help baby build new skills, though it may be best to wait until baby is 9 months or older and has developed some skill with chewing and swallowing solid foods first.

Last, homemade popsicles can be an excellent way to introduce delicious flavors to baby and use up any store-bought baby food puree jars and pouches that baby has outgrown. Consider branching out beyond basic fruits and include finely diced herbs and vegetable purees into your popsicles. Some examples include raspberry, spinach, and rosemary; strawberry, cucumber, mint, and ginger; and mango, carrot, and turmeric.

Bottom line:

Based on sensory development and oral motor skills, we don't see any reasons not to give baby a popsicle once they can hold it and self-feed around 6 months of age; however, a baby may tolerate a freeze pop best after 9 months of age. If a younger baby is interested and loving them, great!

Recipes

The Elvis

Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into age-appropriate popsicle molds and freeze for at least 2 hours. Frozen popsicles keep up to 4 months.

Purple Potato Eater

Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into age-appropriate popsicle molds and freeze for at least 2 hours. Frozen popsicles keep up to 4 months. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Cashew Delight

Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into age-appropriate popsicle molds and freeze for at least 2 hours. Frozen popsicles keep up to 4 months. ⠀⠀

Green-a Colada

Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into age-appropriate popsicle molds and freeze for at least 2 hours. Frozen popsicles keep up to 4 months.

Orange Julius

Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into age-appropriate popsicle molds and freeze for at least 2 hours. Frozen popsicles keep up to 4 months.

Ghost-Sicles

Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into age-appropriate popsicle molds and freeze for at least 2 hours. Frozen popsicles keep up to 4 months.