Carrots for Babies
Complete guide on how to prepare and serve carrots to your baby, by age.
Safety Information
How to Serve Carrots to a 6–9 Months Old
How to Cut
Carrots are firm and present a significant choking risk if served raw or in coin-shaped rounds. For babies this age, peel and cut carrots into large sticks (about 4-6 cm / 1.5-2.5 in) and steam or boil until very soft and easily mashable between fingers. You can also mash or puree cooked carrots for an even safer texture, especially for early eaters. Avoid raw, shredded, or coin-shaped carrot pieces, as these forms can easily block airways.
Serving Instructions
Offer 2-4 cooked carrot sticks (about 20-40 g / 0.7-1.4 oz) as part of a meal that includes a protein source (like lentils or chicken), healthy fat (such as olive oil or avocado), and iron-rich foods. Carrots are naturally sweet and pair well with grains, pureed meats, or mashed legumes for balanced nutrition. Remember, variety helps babies accept new flavors and textures.
How to Serve Carrots to a 9–18 Months Old
How to Cut
Continue to serve carrots cooked until very soft. At this age, you can offer carrot sticks (around 4-6 cm / 1.5-2.5 in) or small bite-sized pieces as long as they are soft and easily mashable. Supervise closely as mobility increases, and avoid coins or raw carrot. If biting skills are still developing, stick to mashed or pureed carrots. Gradually offer more texture as chewing improves.
Serving Instructions
Serve 3-5 pieces of soft-cooked carrot (30-50 g / 1-1.7 oz) as part of meals that include grains, proteins, and other colorful veggies. Encourage self-feeding with soft carrot sticks or small pieces. Pair with foods rich in vitamin C (like orange, bell pepper) to help with iron absorption from plant-based meals. Always serve carrots as part of a diverse, balanced plate.
How to Serve Carrots to a 18+ Months Old
How to Cut
By now, toddlers may manage firmer textures, but carrots should still be cooked until soft, especially if there are fewer teeth or immature chewing skills. Offer thin sticks, bite-sized chunks, or coins, but ensure they’re easily squishable. Raw carrot sticks may be introduced if your child is proficient at biting and chewing, but monitor closely. Shredded raw carrot, incorporated into other foods or served on its own, may be an option at this stage but always supervise as choking is still a risk.
Serving Instructions
Offer 4-6 pieces or sticks (40-60 g / 1.4-2.1 oz) of carrot, cooked or raw depending on your child’s chewing skills. Continue to serve with a balanced meal: protein (like boiled eggs, fish), complex carbs, and healthy fats. Encourage trying new preparations, like grated raw carrot with yogurt, but always supervise carefully to reduce choking risk.
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