Momsie › Can baby eat › Swede
Can babies eat swede?
Swede can be offered once your baby has started solids, prepared to suit their stage.
How to cook swede for a baby
- Method
- Boil or steam
- Ready in
- 20 Min.
- Texture
- Smooth mash or purée
How you cut and serve swede changes as your baby grows. That is set out age by age below.
How to prepare swede, age by age
- 6 to 8 months
- Peel, dice, and boil until very soft, then blend to a smooth purée — mix with carrot or potato.
- 9 to 11 months
- Mash cooked swede with lumps as part of mixed vegetable mash.
- 12 to 17 months
- Soft swede chunks or mash as a side dish.
- 18 months and over
- Swede in stews, roasted in the oven, or mashed as part of family meals.
Choking risk
Raw swede is very hard and poses a choking risk. Always cook swede until very soft before serving. It naturally becomes quite smooth when mashed.
Watch: How to avoid choking
Is swede an allergen?
Swede 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 swede good for babies?
Swede is a traditional British weaning vegetable with a mild, slightly sweet earthy flavour. It is rich in Vitamin C and provides a good amount of potassium for healthy muscle function. Swede's pale orange flesh signals the presence of beta-carotene, which converts to Vitamin A for healthy vision and immune function.
- Vitamin C
- Potassium
- Fibre
- Folate
Storing swede
In the fridge
2 Days. Keep cooked swede in a sealed container in the fridge
In the freezer
3 Months. Freeze puréed swede in ice cube trays — great for adding to winter soups
Baby recipes with swede
Want the whole picture for your baby's age? See every food they can eat right now, with how to serve each one. Free, no sign-up.
Not sure what to offer after swede?
Momsie turns your baby's age, the foods they have already tried and your allergen list into one clear next step. Free on iPhone and Android.
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.