First foods database
🌾 Barley for babies: when and how to serve it
Can babies eat barley? Yes, from about 6 months. Barley is a hearty, chewy grain that softens beautifully in soups and stews. It contains gluten, so introduce it in a small amount and watch for any reaction.
Good source of: Fibre, Selenium, Manganese, B vitamins
How to serve barley by age
6 to 9 months
Simmer pearl barley until very soft, then blend into soups and stews or mash with vegetables. Soft barley mixed into mashed potato can be scooped up with fingers.
9 to 12 months
Offer soft cooked barley grains mixed into stew, risotto-style dishes or with grated cheese.
12 months and up
Serve in soups, broths and barley risotto. Barley flakes can be cooked like porridge.
Choking safety
Well-cooked barley is soft and low risk. Undercooked grains are chewy and can make babies gag, so cook it longer than you would for adults. Always stay with your baby while they eat, and offer food with them sitting upright.
Gagging is common and noisy while babies learn to eat. Choking is usually silent. Always stay with your baby while they eat, sitting upright. How to help a choking baby (NHS).
Good to know
- Contains gluten; introduce on its own and keep offering.
- Use unsalted homemade stock rather than stock cubes.
- Cook well; chewy grains can cause gagging.
Introducing it as an allergen
It contains gluten, one of the 14 major allergens. How to introduce gluten
Easy ideas
- Barley and vegetable broth with no stock cube
- Pearl barley risotto with peas
- Barley flake porridge with pear
Goes well with
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Questions parents ask
Can babies eat barley?
Can babies eat barley? Yes, from about 6 months. Barley is a hearty, chewy grain that softens beautifully in soups and stews. It contains gluten, so introduce it in a small amount and watch for any reaction.
Is pearl barley gluten-free?
No. Barley contains gluten, which is fine for most babies once introduced.
How long should barley cook for babies?
Simmer pearl barley for 40 to 50 minutes or until it squashes easily between your fingers.
Sources
- NHS Start for Life: Weaning
- NHS: What to feed young children
- NHS: How to stop a child from choking
- NHS: Food allergies in babies and young children
OBubba gives general information based on UK guidance. It is not medical advice and does not diagnose anything. Every baby is different. If your baby has a known allergy, severe eczema or a medical condition, speak to your doctor or health visitor before starting solids. Learn baby first aid, and in an emergency call your local emergency number (999 in the UK).