Ketchup
Usually introduced around 2 years
Prep warning
Most ketchup is high in added sugar and salt. Added sugars are not recommended for children under 2, and babies need very little salt, so keep ketchup out of your child's food until age 2. After that, offer a small amount now and then, ideally a low-salt, no-added-sugar version or a simple homemade tomato sauce.
How to serve by age
6-9 months
Not recommended at this age. Ketchup is a condiment, and most kinds are high in added sugar and salt. For tomato flavor, cook ripe tomatoes into a smooth sauce with no added salt or sugar and stir a little into your baby's food.
Do not serve ketchup. A smooth homemade tomato sauce with no salt or sugar can be stirred into food instead.
9-12 months
Still not recommended. Keep ketchup out of your baby's food. A simple tomato sauce cooked at home without salt or sugar gives a similar flavor and works stirred into pasta, grains, or soft vegetables.
Do not serve ketchup. Mix a little unsalted, unsweetened homemade tomato sauce into the meal instead.
12-18 months
Ketchup is still best left until after the second birthday because of its added sugar and salt. In the meantime, homemade tomato sauce with no added salt or sugar works as a dip or a mix-in for your toddler.
Do not serve ketchup yet. Offer a little unsalted, unsweetened homemade tomato sauce instead.
2 years and up
From age 2, ketchup can be an occasional flavor in a small amount. It is still high in added sugar and salt, so a low-salt, no-added-sugar version or a quick homemade tomato sauce is the better everyday choice, and a small spoonful is plenty.
A small spoonful on the side or mixed into food, now and then.
Common questions
When can my baby have ketchup?
Ketchup is usually held back until around 2 years. Most ketchup is high in added sugar and salt. Check the prep and cut-size notes above before you start.
Is ketchup a choking hazard for babies?
Ketchup is considered a lower choking-risk food when served in age-appropriate sizes and textures. Follow the cut sizes above and always stay close during meals.
Is ketchup a common allergen?
Ketchup is not one of the major food allergens. Any new food can still cause a reaction, so keep an eye on your baby the first few times.
Sources6
- AAP - Starting Solid Foods (around 6 months)
- NHS - What to feed your baby from around 6 months
- NHS - Foods and drinks to avoid (honey, salt, sugar)
- CDC - Foods and drinks to avoid or limit (added sugar, salt)
- AAP - Reducing added sugar (none before age 2)
- AAP - Snacks for toddlers (no added salt or sugar before age 2)
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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