Strawberries for Babies: Why They’re Good & How to Serve Them Safely
November 2022
Author:
Hyemyung Kim, RD, CDN, CNSC, CLC
Coauthors:
Stefanie Kain, B.S. M.Ed
Erinn Jacobi, M.S. OTR/L
Johane Filemon, MS, RDN, CLT
About Kids Eat in Color
Created by experts, Kids Eat in Color is the leading resource for families seeking evidence-based information and strategies on child nutrition and feeding.
As an Amazon Associate, Kids Eat in Color® earns from qualifying purchases made through affiliate links.
Author:
Hyemyung Kim, RD, CDN, CNSC, CLC
Coauthors:
Stefanie Kain, B.S. M.Ed
Erinn Jacobi, M.S. OTR/L
Johane Filemon, MS, RDN, CLT
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Inside: Is your baby ready for strawberries? Learn all about serving strawberries to babies as a puree or for baby-led weaning from a pediatric dietitian. Plus, discover the nutritional benefits of strawberries for babies and get more feeding tips.
Strawberries are delicious, nutritious and can be found all year long.
In this article, learn all about feeding strawberries to babies who are starting solids. Learn how to make strawberry puree for puree-to-table feeding or how to cut them for baby-led weaning.
We’ll also discuss how to prevent choking with strawberries, any allergy concerns, and how to help your baby get comfortable with strawberries so they will try them.
Around 6 months of age, babies are able to sit up unassisted, have good head control, be able to move their neck side to side, and show interest in foods – like strawberries!
When your baby is showing you these signs, you can introduce strawberries or other baby-friendly first foods.
Are strawberries good for babies?
Strawberries are rich in vitamin C, which is an important nutrient to boost immunity and helps to improve the absorption of iron from plant-based foods.
They are also high in manganese, which is a mineral that the body uses to make energy, is involved in bone formation and also plays a role in immune response.
Moreover, strawberries are loaded with antioxidants like anthocyanin pelargonidin which is also responsible for the fruit’s red color.
Strawberries are also a good source of fiber for kids and contain small amounts of other nutrients like folate, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, even iron and calcium.
Where can you buy strawberries?
Fresh strawberries can be found in the refrigerated produce section of grocery stores, and they can also be found at farmer’s markets. June is peak strawberry season.
When choosing strawberries, choose ones that are bright red from top to bottom, as those will taste the sweetest.
Also, the more dry and wilted the leaves look, the less freshly picked the strawberries are likely to be. If there is one moldy strawberry in the bunch, you can assume there are a few more starting to go bad.
Strawberries can also be found frozen in the freezer section.
Are strawberries a choking hazard for babies?
Strawberries can pose a choking hazard, especially if they are small and firm. Focus on choosing ripe, soft and large strawberries for the baby who is learning to eat.
Any small, firm strawberries should be cut appropriately before being offered to babies.
Lastly, it is important to create a safe eating environment by having your baby sit up comfortably in a high chair or another safe place, and by avoiding distractions or disruptions when eating.
What’s the difference between gagging and choking?
Gagging is a normal step in the eating solids process. It is the body’s natural protective response to prevent choking.
Gagging can look like:
Gurgling
Coughing
Spitting
Audible gagging noises
The baby’s tongue will thrust forward to remove the strawberry piece from their mouth.
The most important thing to remember is gagging is normal and that you should not react when it happens.
When it does happen, let your child work through their protective gag to continue eating and engaging with the new foods.
Choking, however, is very different. Choking is when the child’s airway is blocked. Choking can be life-threatening and requires immediate intervention.
Choking can look like:
Silent/quiet struggling
Inability to cough
Inability to or difficulty breathing
A quick way to remember the difference between gagging and choking: If the baby is loud and red, they’re likely gagging and you should proceed with the meal like normal. If they’re quiet and blue, they need immediate help.
When preparing strawberries for babies, make sure to thoroughly wash the strawberries to remove any pesticide residues (both conventional and organic strawberries are treated with pesticides) and cut off the stems.
How to make strawberry puree for baby
To puree strawberries for babies, blend strawberries until smooth using a blender, food processor or food mill. You can also mash ripe strawberries using a fork.
Choose ripe strawberries as those will be easiest to blend and puree.
Strawberry puree can be served to babies as is, but to boost the nutritional profile, consider adding hemp seeds or chia seeds to the puree, which will add a source of plant-based protein.
Pureed strawberries can also be mixed into yogurt or oatmeal and served to babies.
How to cut strawberries for baby-led weaning
Large, soft strawberries that are bigger than a baby’s mouth may be served whole.
If the strawberries are small or firmer, slice them into thin pieces before offering, or mash them.
Choose large, ripe and soft strawberries. If they are easy to smush with your fingers, then they are soft enough for babies.
Once a baby develops their pincer grasp, cut the strawberries into quarters or thin slices when serving.
Are strawberries an allergen for babies?
No, strawberries are not considered a major allergen, but it is common for babies to have a skin reaction around the mouth after consuming, due to the acidity of the fruit. If consumed in excess, they may cause or worsen diaper rash.
Strawberries are also part of the same plant family of fruits as pears, cherries, peaches and apples, and these fruits contain proteins that are very similar to those found in birch pollen. They can trigger symptoms like itchiness, swelling of the mouth, face, lip, tongue or throat.
This cross-reactivity is called oral allergy syndrome (OAS).
Oral allergy syndrome
Symptoms of OAS usually appear immediately and tend to be mild overall. If symptoms are experienced, consider limiting fresh strawberries in your baby’s diet, especially during allergy season, as OAS tends to worsen during its associated pollen season.
Also, baking or cooking the food will break down the proteins responsible for OAS, so consider mashing strawberries and mixing into oatmeal while it’s cooking or adding strawberries as an ingredient in baked goods to still include strawberries in your baby’s diet.
White strawberries may be better tolerated as they have been noted to be free from the allergy-causing protein, which is believed to be linked to the anthocyanins that contribute to the fruit’s red color.
How can you tell if your baby is having an allergic reaction to strawberries?
Common allergen symptoms include:
Hives
Itching
Swelling of the lip or tongue
Rashes
If you notice signs of wheezing, throat tightness, difficulty swallowing or trouble breathing, call your pediatrician immediately.
How to help babies learn to like strawberries
Some babies don’t take to strawberries right away, and that is OK.
As the parent, there are things you can do to help your child learn to like strawberries while also supporting your infant’s development. Here are two things you can do to help support your young eater.
Having your baby join you at the table while you eat lays the foundation for eating. Mealtime is a good time to expose them to foods common in your home and build positive associations with eating.
If your baby shows interest in what you are eating, offer them a small sample. Speak to them using simple, clear language:
“I’m eating strawberries today.”
“Strawberries in my smoothie!”
“Soft and sweet strawberries.”
2. Play with strawberries to get babies to eat them
Food play is a great way for babies to explore new foods. Try this idea to help teach your baby about strawberries.
What to do: Collect a variety of red items from your baby’s toy collection and place them together in a bowl, tray or basket.
These items may include balls, toy cars, cookie cutters, measuring cups/spoons, blocks, toy food, etc.
Add several clean, trimmed fresh strawberries to the collection as well.
Invite your baby to explore the collection of red items by picking them up, dumping them out, bringing them to their mouth, and passing them back and forth.
Here are some things you can say while doing this activity with your child.
“Look at all the red things!”
“Red blocks! Red spoons!”
“Can you find the red strawberries? How do they taste?”
Cichero, J. A. (2016). Introducing solid foods using baby-led weaning vs. Spoon-feeding: A focus on oral development, nutrient intake and quality of research to bring balance to the debate. Nutrition Bulletin, 41(1), 72–77. https://doi.org/10.1111/nbu.12191
Lozowicka B, Jankowska M, Hrynko I, Kaczynski P. Removal of 16 pesticide residues from strawberries by washing with tap and ozone water, ultrasonic cleaning and boiling. Environ Monit Assess. 2016 Jan;188(1):51. doi: 10.1007/s10661-015-4850-6. Epub 2015 Dec 22. PMID: 26694708; PMCID: PMC4688301.
Hjernø K, Alm R, Canbäck B, Matthiesen R, Trajkovski K, Björk L, Roepstorff P, Emanuelsson C. Down-regulation of the strawberry Bet v 1-homologous allergen in concert with the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway in colorless strawberry mutant. Proteomics. 2006 Mar;6(5):1574-87. doi: 10.1002/pmic.200500469. PMID: 16447153. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16447153/.
About Kids Eat in Color
Created by experts, Kids Eat in Color is the leading resource for families seeking evidence-based information and strategies on child nutrition and feeding.
Hyemyung Kim has been a registered and certified dietitian and nutrition support clinician for 10 years. She initially started her career as an inpatient dietitian with the adult population but fell into the role as a neonatal and pediatric dietitian after a co-worker needed to go on maternity leave. This led to her falling in love with this population and working with parents. She continued to progress her career working in the neonatal and pediatric intensive care units as the nutrition support dietitian and in the nutrition clinic as the outpatient dietitian. During this time, she also obtained her certification as a certified lactation counselor to promote breastfeeding and provide education and support for mothers.
It was while working as a clinical dietitian that Hyemyung got to meet and talk to parents about their struggles with picky eating, finding her passion for teaching and educating parents on tips to help their children to eat. She is passionate about working with parents on this common but tough issue and finds it rewarding when she hears about progress. Now as a new mom to a 1 year old boy, she is also dealing with selective eating and can empathize how parents feel when they are experiencing this. In her role as the dietitian and weaning specialist, Hyemyung strives to approach each parent with empathy, understanding and compassion as she educates and provides support.
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Inside: Is your baby ready for strawberries? Learn all about serving strawberries to babies as a puree or for baby-led weaning from a pediatric dietitian. Plus, discover the nutritional benefits of strawberries for babies and get more feeding tips.
Strawberries are delicious, nutritious and can be found all year long.
In this article, learn all about feeding strawberries to babies who are starting solids. Learn how to make strawberry puree for puree-to-table feeding or how to cut them for baby-led weaning.
We’ll also discuss how to prevent choking with strawberries, any allergy concerns, and how to help your baby get comfortable with strawberries so they will try them.
This article answers these questions:
At what age can babies eat strawberries?
Are strawberries good for babies?
Where can you buy strawberries?
Are strawberries a choking hazard?
How do you safely prepare strawberries for babies?
How do you make strawberry puree?
How do you cut strawberries for baby-led weaning?
Are strawberries considered an allergen?
How do you get babies to like strawberries?
At what age can babies have strawberries?
Around 6 months of age, babies are able to sit up unassisted, have good head control, be able to move their neck side to side, and show interest in foods – like strawberries!
When your baby is showing you these signs, you can introduce strawberries or other baby-friendly first foods.
Are strawberries good for babies?
Strawberries are rich in vitamin C, which is an important nutrient to boost immunity and helps to improve the absorption of iron from plant-based foods.
They are also high in manganese, which is a mineral that the body uses to make energy, is involved in bone formation and also plays a role in immune response.
Moreover, strawberries are loaded with antioxidants like anthocyanin pelargonidin which is also responsible for the fruit’s red color.
Strawberries are also a good source of fiber for kids and contain small amounts of other nutrients like folate, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, even iron and calcium.
Where can you buy strawberries?
Fresh strawberries can be found in the refrigerated produce section of grocery stores, and they can also be found at farmer’s markets. June is peak strawberry season.
When choosing strawberries, choose ones that are bright red from top to bottom, as those will taste the sweetest.
Also, the more dry and wilted the leaves look, the less freshly picked the strawberries are likely to be. If there is one moldy strawberry in the bunch, you can assume there are a few more starting to go bad.
Strawberries can also be found frozen in the freezer section.
Are strawberries a choking hazard for babies?
Strawberries can pose a choking hazard, especially if they are small and firm. Focus on choosing ripe, soft and large strawberries for the baby who is learning to eat.
Any small, firm strawberries should be cut appropriately before being offered to babies.
Lastly, it is important to create a safe eating environment by having your baby sit up comfortably in a high chair or another safe place, and by avoiding distractions or disruptions when eating.
What’s the difference between gagging and choking?
Gagging is a normal step in the eating solids process. It is the body’s natural protective response to prevent choking.
Gagging can look like:
The baby’s tongue will thrust forward to remove the strawberry piece from their mouth.
The most important thing to remember is gagging is normal and that you should not react when it happens.
When it does happen, let your child work through their protective gag to continue eating and engaging with the new foods.
Choking, however, is very different. Choking is when the child’s airway is blocked. Choking can be life-threatening and requires immediate intervention.
Choking can look like:
A quick way to remember the difference between gagging and choking: If the baby is loud and red, they’re likely gagging and you should proceed with the meal like normal. If they’re quiet and blue, they need immediate help.
Related: How to Prevent Choking in Babies & Toddlers
How to safely prepare strawberries for babies
When preparing strawberries for babies, make sure to thoroughly wash the strawberries to remove any pesticide residues (both conventional and organic strawberries are treated with pesticides) and cut off the stems.
How to make strawberry puree for baby
To puree strawberries for babies, blend strawberries until smooth using a blender, food processor or food mill. You can also mash ripe strawberries using a fork.
Choose ripe strawberries as those will be easiest to blend and puree.
Strawberry puree can be served to babies as is, but to boost the nutritional profile, consider adding hemp seeds or chia seeds to the puree, which will add a source of plant-based protein.
Pureed strawberries can also be mixed into yogurt or oatmeal and served to babies.
How to cut strawberries for baby-led weaning
Choose large, ripe and soft strawberries. If they are easy to smush with your fingers, then they are soft enough for babies.
Once a baby develops their pincer grasp, cut the strawberries into quarters or thin slices when serving.
Are strawberries an allergen for babies?
No, strawberries are not considered a major allergen, but it is common for babies to have a skin reaction around the mouth after consuming, due to the acidity of the fruit. If consumed in excess, they may cause or worsen diaper rash.
Strawberries are also part of the same plant family of fruits as pears, cherries, peaches and apples, and these fruits contain proteins that are very similar to those found in birch pollen. They can trigger symptoms like itchiness, swelling of the mouth, face, lip, tongue or throat.
This cross-reactivity is called oral allergy syndrome (OAS).
Oral allergy syndrome
Symptoms of OAS usually appear immediately and tend to be mild overall. If symptoms are experienced, consider limiting fresh strawberries in your baby’s diet, especially during allergy season, as OAS tends to worsen during its associated pollen season.
Also, baking or cooking the food will break down the proteins responsible for OAS, so consider mashing strawberries and mixing into oatmeal while it’s cooking or adding strawberries as an ingredient in baked goods to still include strawberries in your baby’s diet.
White strawberries may be better tolerated as they have been noted to be free from the allergy-causing protein, which is believed to be linked to the anthocyanins that contribute to the fruit’s red color.
Related: Early Allergen Introduction: When to Introduce Allergens to Infants
How can you tell if your baby is having an allergic reaction to strawberries?
Common allergen symptoms include:
If you notice signs of wheezing, throat tightness, difficulty swallowing or trouble breathing, call your pediatrician immediately.
How to help babies learn to like strawberries
Some babies don’t take to strawberries right away, and that is OK.
As the parent, there are things you can do to help your child learn to like strawberries while also supporting your infant’s development. Here are two things you can do to help support your young eater.
Related: 11 Expert Tips to Reverse & Prevent Picky Eating
1. Model eating strawberries at the table
Having your baby join you at the table while you eat lays the foundation for eating. Mealtime is a good time to expose them to foods common in your home and build positive associations with eating.
If your baby shows interest in what you are eating, offer them a small sample. Speak to them using simple, clear language:
2. Play with strawberries to get babies to eat them
Food play is a great way for babies to explore new foods. Try this idea to help teach your baby about strawberries.
Related: Food Play Every Day: 102 Activities for Kids Ages 1-10
Food Activity: Red Strawberry Sensory Bin
What to do: Collect a variety of red items from your baby’s toy collection and place them together in a bowl, tray or basket.
These items may include balls, toy cars, cookie cutters, measuring cups/spoons, blocks, toy food, etc.
Add several clean, trimmed fresh strawberries to the collection as well.
Invite your baby to explore the collection of red items by picking them up, dumping them out, bringing them to their mouth, and passing them back and forth.
Here are some things you can say while doing this activity with your child.
Consider extending this activity by pairing it with a book like Eat Your Colors by Amanda Miller or Edible Colors by Jennifer Vogel Bass.
You may also be interested in these articles about starting babies on solids
References
Lally, J. R., & Mangione, P. L. (2017). Caring Relationships: The Heart of Early Brain Development. Young Children, 72(2). https://www.naeyc.org/resources/pubs/yc/may2017/caring-relationships-heart-early-brain-development
Cichero, J. A. (2016). Introducing solid foods using baby-led weaning vs. Spoon-feeding: A focus on oral development, nutrient intake and quality of research to bring balance to the debate. Nutrition Bulletin, 41(1), 72–77. https://doi.org/10.1111/nbu.12191
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Oral Allergy Syndrome. Retrieved October 3, 2022. https://www.aaaai.org/tools-for-the-public/conditions-library/allergies/oral-allergy-syndrome-(oas)
Lozowicka B, Jankowska M, Hrynko I, Kaczynski P. Removal of 16 pesticide residues from strawberries by washing with tap and ozone water, ultrasonic cleaning and boiling. Environ Monit Assess. 2016 Jan;188(1):51. doi: 10.1007/s10661-015-4850-6. Epub 2015 Dec 22. PMID: 26694708; PMCID: PMC4688301.
Hjernø K, Alm R, Canbäck B, Matthiesen R, Trajkovski K, Björk L, Roepstorff P, Emanuelsson C. Down-regulation of the strawberry Bet v 1-homologous allergen in concert with the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway in colorless strawberry mutant. Proteomics. 2006 Mar;6(5):1574-87. doi: 10.1002/pmic.200500469. PMID: 16447153. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16447153/.