First foods database

🥥 Coconut milk for babies: when and how to serve it

Can babies have coconut milk? Yes, canned coconut milk can be used in cooking from about 6 months to make creamy curries, porridge and rice dishes. It is not a drink for babies, and coconut drinks should not replace breast milk, formula or whole milk.

From 6 monthsLow choking risk when prepared well

Good source of: Healthy fats, Energy, Manganese

How to serve coconut milk by age

6 to 9 months

Stir a few spoons of full-fat canned coconut milk into a mild red lentil dhal, a sweet potato mash or rice pudding. Make sure the dish is cooked and cooled. Offer soft finger foods like sweet potato wedges to dip.

9 to 12 months

Use it to make a gentle chicken and vegetable curry with no chilli, coconut rice or overnight oats. Light coconut milk is fine in cooking too, though full fat gives more energy.

12 months and up

Toddlers can share family coconut curries, soups and bakes. If you use a coconut drink, choose an unsweetened, fortified one, but it is low in protein, so whole milk or another option is usually better as a main drink.

Choking safety

Coconut milk is a liquid and low choking risk. Take care with what goes into the dish: shred chicken finely, and cook vegetables until soft enough to squash between your fingers.

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

Canned coconut milk is high in saturated fat; use it as an ingredient, not as a drink.
Coconut drinks are low in protein and not a substitute for breast milk or formula.
Check labels for added sugar and salt.

Easy ideas

Red lentil and coconut dhal
Coconut rice with mango
Mild chicken and coconut curry with spinach

Goes well with

🫘Red lentilsFrom 6 months 🍗ChickenFrom 6 months 🥭MangoFrom 6 months 🍚RiceFrom 6 months

Recipes with coconut milk

🍛Batch cook mild chickpea and spinach curryFrom 7 months · Dinner · 35 min 🍲Caribbean chicken and sweet potato stewFrom 7 months · Dinner · 55 min 🎃Caribbean red pea and pumpkin coconut stewFrom 7 months · Dinner · 45 min 🌼Mild cauliflower and chickpea kormaFrom 7 months · Dinner · 40 min 🥥Mild chickpea, spinach and coconut curryFrom 7 months · Dinner · 35 min 🥥Mild coconut beef rendang for toddlersFrom 12 months · Dinner · 165 min

Weaning with OBubba

Log first foods in seconds. OBubba spots the allergens for you.

Track every food your baby has tried, see reactions over time, and let OBubba gently pace new allergens one at a time. Free to download.

Download for iPhone Get it on Android

Questions parents ask

Can babies eat coconut milk?

Can babies drink coconut milk?

No. Use it in cooking only. Breast milk or formula is the main drink in the first year.

Is coconut a nut allergy risk?

Coconut is not a tree nut in UK allergen rules, and reactions are uncommon. Introduce it like any new food.

Is coconut milk spicy?

No, it is mild and creamy. Just leave out chilli when making curries for babies.

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).