Onion
Usually introduced around 6 months
How to serve by age
6-9 months
Cook well and mince, chop, or slice. Mix into casseroles, egg dishes, bean burgers, or meatballs. A large outer layer of raw onion works as a flavor exposure.
Soft cooked slices or wedges for munching, or finely mixed into other foods. Pearl onions: cook, chop, then mix in. Avoid whole pearl onions.
9-12 months
Cook onion and offer in small chopped pieces or soft thin slices, alone or in family meals. Pearl onions stay cooked plus chopped or smashed flat.
Continue with raw outer-layer sections for flavor exposure; baby may now bite pieces off, expect spitting. Avoid whole pearl onions.
12-18 months
Larger well-cooked pieces help build chewing skills. Try raw onion finely chopped or in thin slices. Pearl onions can be cooked and served as you wish.
Pickled pearl onions are okay once chewing is reliable, since they can be firmer. Wait on fried onions until age two or so, when molars are in.
2 years and up
Once molars are in and the child can chew thoroughly without overstuffing, fried onions are okay. Start with a few alongside a meal.
Avoid fried onions that are too firm or sharp. Serve a small portion on their own or as a topping while the child practices the texture.
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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