Can Babies Eat Avocado?
Yes. Babies can start avocado at around 6 months, once they are eating solids. It is soft, needs no cooking and has a mild taste, so mash it or serve ripe strips for baby-led weaning. Avocado gives your baby healthy fats for growth.
Avocado is one of the easiest foods to prepare for a baby. It needs no cooking, mashes in seconds and has a soft, buttery texture that suits new eaters. This guide covers when to start, how to serve it at each age, the benefits and a simple recipe.
What is an avocado?
An avocado is the fruit of the avocado tree, which comes from south-central Mexico. In the kitchen it is usually treated as a savoury food rather than a sweet one. The flesh is pale green, soft when ripe, and high in fat, which is unusual for a fruit.
Because ripe avocado is so soft, it is a good match for other gentle first foods. Many parents mash it with banana for a quick meal that needs no cooking.
Avocado nutrition for babies
Avocado is high in healthy unsaturated fat, and it also gives your baby fibre, folate and potassium.
| Nutrient | Per 100 g (raw) |
|---|---|
| Energy | 160 kcal |
| Fat | 14.7 g |
| Carbohydrate | 8.5 g |
| Fibre | 6.7 g |
| Protein | 2.0 g |
| Potassium | 485 mg |
| Folate | 81 mcg |
Values for raw avocado. Source: USDA FoodData Central.
When can babies eat avocado?
Most babies are ready for solids at about 6 months, once they can sit up with support and hold their head steady. Change the way you serve avocado as your baby grows:
Mash ripe avocado smooth, or cut it into thick strips your baby can hold. A light coating of baby cereal makes the strips less slippery.
When your baby can pick up small things, offer bite-sized cubes of soft avocado as finger food.
Tip: a firm avocado will not mash well. Let it ripen at room temperature until it gives slightly when you press it, then keep it in the fridge to slow it down.
Health benefits of avocado for babies
Healthy fats
Avocado is high in unsaturated fat, which babies need for energy and for brain growth in the first year.
Fibre
The fibre in avocado supports digestion and helps keep bowel movements soft and regular.
Folate and potassium
Avocado gives your baby folate and potassium, which the body uses for growth and for healthy muscles.
Avocado also pairs well with sweeter fruits. If your baby likes it, try mixing it with mango or stirring a spoonful into warm oatmeal for a filling breakfast.
How to serve avocado safely
Do
- Use a ripe avocado that gives slightly when pressed.
- Mash it well for the first tastes.
- Cut thick strips for baby-led weaning.
- Serve it fresh, as cut avocado browns quickly.
Avoid
- Hard, unripe avocado, which is difficult to mash.
- Adding salt or seasoning.
- Large slippery chunks for young babies.
- Leaving your baby to eat alone.
Risks and safety
Avocado is soft and low on the choking scale when it is ripe, but a slippery piece can still be hard to hold. A small number of people who react to latex can also react to avocado, so give it on its own the first time and watch how your baby responds.
New foods: introduce avocado on its own and wait a couple of days before adding another new food. If you are not sure your baby is ready for solids, the American Academy of Pediatrics explains the signs to look for.
Easy avocado recipe (6 months)
Avocado and banana baby mash
Makes 2 baby portions, from 6 monthsIngredients
- 1/2 ripe avocado
- 1/2 ripe banana
- 1 tsp breast milk or formula (optional)
Method
- Scoop the avocado flesh into a bowl and add the peeled banana.
- Mash the two together with a fork until smooth.
- Add a little breast milk or formula if you want a looser texture, then serve straight away.
Avocado FAQ
When can babies eat avocado?
Babies can have avocado from around 6 months, when they start solids. It is soft and needs no cooking, so mash it well or cut ripe avocado into soft strips for baby-led weaning.
Is avocado good for babies?
Yes. Avocado has healthy fats that babies need for growth and brain development, plus fibre, folate and potassium. Its mild taste and soft texture make it an easy early food.
How do you serve avocado to a baby?
Use a ripe, soft avocado. Mash it on its own or with banana for the first tastes, or hand over thick strips as finger food. Avocado is slippery, so a light coating of baby cereal helps small hands grip it.
Can avocado cause an allergy in babies?
Avocado allergy is uncommon. A few people who react to latex can also react to avocado. Offer it on its own the first time and watch how your baby responds.
Sources
- Avocado, Wikipedia.
- FoodData Central, U.S. Department of Agriculture.
- Starting Solid Foods, American Academy of Pediatrics.
This article is general information, not medical advice. Every baby is different. Talk to your doctor, health visitor or paediatrician about your own baby, and about starting solids or any allergy concerns.
