Celery

Slice a stalk crosswise into thin half-moons, then cook until soft. Mix into stew, warm cereal, or yogurt. A frozen raw stalk works as a teether.

Soft cooked half-moons mixed in scoopable food. Whole raw stalk only as a teether or dipper, never as a chunk to chew.

Cut crosswise into thin half-moons and cook until soft. Serve on their own or stirred into stew, cereal, or yogurt. Avoid raw chunks at this age.

Cooked thin half-moons as finger food. A long raw stalk can work as a teether but expect possible bite-offs and stay close.

Toddlers usually handle raw celery in the mouth now. Continue cutting crosswise into very thin slivers, slowly working up to slightly thicker slices.

Very thin half-moon slices, raw or cooked. Avoid raw chunks or sticks: long stringy pieces still pose a choking risk.

Wait on raw celery sticks until you trust the child to bite, chew thoroughly, and spit if needed. Eat alongside them and model how to break it down.

Slice the stick lengthwise to make biting easier. Pair with a dip. Keep the child seated, focused, and within arm's reach the whole time.