Momsie › Can baby eat › Dates
Can babies eat dates?
Dates can be offered once your baby has started solids, prepared to suit their stage.
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How to cook dates for a baby
- Method
- Soak and blend
- Ready in
- 10 Min.
- Texture
- Smooth purée or soft paste
How you cut and serve dates changes as your baby grows. That is set out age by age below.
How to prepare dates, age by age
- 6 to 8 months
- Soak in warm water, remove pit, then blend to a smooth paste. Mix into porridge or fruit purées. View photo
- 9 to 11 months
- Softened, pitted dates mashed finely or blended. Can be mixed into yogurt. View photo
- 12 to 17 months
- Remove every stone, soften the date and blend or mash into a paste to mix into food. View photo
- 18 months and over
- Remove every stone, soften if needed and chop very finely into moist food or use as a paste. View photo
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Choking risk
Remove every stone. Dates are sticky and dense: soften and mash to a paste or chop very finely into moist food.
Watch: How to avoid choking
Is dates an allergen?
Dates is not one of the main food allergens. Any new food can cause a reaction the first time it is offered, so give it on its own and stay with your baby while they eat.
Is dates good for babies?
Dates are nature's natural sweetener and an excellent iron-rich food for babies. They provide a concentrated source of energy from natural sugars, making them a nutritious alternative to refined sugar in baby foods. Their fibre content also supports healthy bowel movements.
- Iron
- Potassium
- Fibre
- Natural Sugars
Storing dates
In the fridge
3 Days. Keep date paste sealed in the fridge
In the freezer
3 Months. Freeze date paste in portions — great for sweetening baby foods naturally
Baby recipes with dates
Not sure what to offer after dates?
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This page is general information based on NHS weaning guidance, not medical advice. Always stay with your baby while they eat. If you have concerns about allergies, choking or your baby's development, speak to your health visitor or GP.