First foods database
🍗 Chicken drumstick for babies: when and how to serve it
Can babies eat chicken drumsticks? Yes, from about 6 months. A well-cooked drumstick with loose skin, cartilage and any small bones removed makes a brilliant handle for babies to gnaw, and dark meat gives more iron and zinc than breast.
Good source of: Protein, Iron, Zinc, Vitamin B12
How to serve chicken drumstick by age
6 to 9 months
Cook until very tender. Remove the skin, cartilage and the thin splinter-like bone, then offer the large bone with some meat on for gnawing. Or shred the meat finely and mix with mash.
9 to 12 months
Shred meat into small pieces for pincer practice, or keep offering the drumstick to hold.
12 months and up
Serve drumsticks with vegetables and potatoes. Shop-bought coated or marinated drumsticks are often salty.
Choking safety
Remove the skin, cartilage and any loose or small bones. Supervise closely while your baby gnaws, and take it away if meat comes off in large chunks.
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
- Cook until no pink remains and juices run clear.
Easy ideas
- Roast drumstick with sweet potato wedges
- Shredded drumstick meat in rice
- Drumsticks slow-cooked in tomato sauce
Goes well with
Recipes with chicken drumstick
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Questions parents ask
Can babies eat chicken drumstick?
Can babies eat chicken drumsticks? Yes, from about 6 months. A well-cooked drumstick with loose skin, cartilage and any small bones removed makes a brilliant handle for babies to gnaw, and dark meat gives more iron and zinc than breast.
Is it safe for babies to gnaw on a chicken bone?
A large drumstick bone with the small bone, cartilage and skin removed can be safe with close supervision, and gnawing is good practice for little mouths.
Is dark chicken meat better for babies?
Thighs and drumsticks contain a little more iron and zinc than breast, and they stay juicier.
Sources
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).