Lychee
Usually introduced around 6 months
Prep warning
The hard central seed must always be removed before serving, and the skin always peeled off. Choose lychee that is fully ripe and soft, never firm. Canned lychee in syrup adds sugar, so rinse it or pick fresh.
Choking notes
Lychee is a high-risk choking food: round, slippery, and built around a large hard seed. Whole or halved lychee can fully block a child's airway. Always peel it, remove the seed, and cut the flesh into small, flat, non-round pieces. Round, slippery foods stay a top choking risk until around age 4.
How to serve by age
6-9 months
Peel the lychee completely and remove the large slippery seed in the center, then mash the soft flesh smooth or chop it very small. A whole or halved lychee is a round, slippery choking shape, so it should never be offered intact. The flesh on its own is soft and juicy.
Peeled and seeded, then mashed smooth or chopped very small. Never whole or halved.
9-12 months
Always peel and remove the seed first. As the pincer grasp develops, offer the seeded flesh cut into small, non-round pieces. Keep the pieces small and flat rather than rounded, since a rounded piece can still block a small airway.
Peeled, seeded, cut into small flat (non-round) pieces.
12-18 months
Continue to peel and remove the seed every time, and cut the flesh into small non-round pieces. Lychee stays a high-risk shape, so keep cutting it down and stay nearby while your toddler eats.
Peeled, seeded, small non-round pieces.
2 years and up
Keep peeling, removing the seed, and cutting lychee into small non-round pieces through the preschool years. Round, slippery foods like this remain among the highest choking risks until around age 4, when children chew more reliably.
Still peeled, seeded, and cut into small non-round pieces until about age 4.
Key nutrients
Common questions
When can my baby eat Lychee?
Most babies can try Lychee from around 6 months, once they show signs of readiness. Check the prep and cut-size notes above before you start.
Is Lychee a choking hazard for babies?
Lychee is a higher choking-risk food for babies. Prepare it exactly as described in the serving guide above and always stay close during meals.
Is Lychee a common allergen?
Lychee is not one of the major food allergens. Any new food can still cause a reaction, so keep an eye on your baby the first few times.
General informational content, not medical advice. Always consult your pediatrician about introducing new foods, especially if your baby has any medical conditions or family history of allergies.
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