Red lentils
Usually introduced around 6 months
Prep warning
Cook until fully soft, with no added salt. Pair with an iron-rich diet to boost absorption.
How to serve by age
6-9 months
Cook until very soft and mash into a thick puree. Mix into mashed vegetables or scoopable grains, or thicken into a paste that sticks to a preloaded spoon.
Served as a thick mash or paste; no separate cut needed at this stage.
9-12 months
Cook until soft and serve as a thick dal or fold into mashable patties and fritters the baby can pick up.
Soft patties about the width of two adult fingers, or thick dal offered on a preloaded spoon.
12-18 months
Serve as dal, soup, or lentil patties. Encourage scooping with a spoon and self-feeding with fingers.
Bite-sized patty pieces or a spoonable bowl of dal for fork and spoon practice.
Key nutrients
Common questions
When can my baby eat Red lentils?
Most babies can try Red lentils from around 6 months, once they show signs of readiness. Check the prep and cut-size notes above before you start.
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.
Track Red lentils and every first food in nappi
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