First foods database
🍐 Fig for babies: when and how to serve it
Can babies eat figs? Yes, from about 6 months. Fresh ripe figs are soft and sweet and a great source of fibre.
Good source of: Fibre, Calcium, Potassium
How to serve fig by age
6 to 9 months
Mash ripe figs, or offer quartered soft figs with the stalk removed for baby to hold. Ripe fresh figs are soft enough to mash with a fork.
9 to 12 months
Offer soft fresh fig pieces, or finely chopped dried figs soaked in water and mashed into porridge. Fig halves are a fun finger food.
12 months and up
Serve fresh figs, or chopped soaked dried figs in baking or cereal. Figs pair well with cheese and yoghurt. Chopped fresh figs make a lovely topping for porridge or yoghurt.
Choking safety
Fresh figs are soft and low risk. Dried figs are sticky and chewy, so chop finely and soak them before serving to babies. Remove the stalk. Chop soaked dried figs finely.
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
- Dried figs are high in sugar and sticky on teeth; best offered with meals in small amounts.
Easy ideas
- Mashed fig in porridge
- Fig and ricotta toast
- Fig and yoghurt
Goes well with
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Questions parents ask
Can babies eat fig?
Can babies eat figs? Yes, from about 6 months. Fresh ripe figs are soft and sweet and a great source of fibre.
Are figs good for constipation in babies?
Their fibre can help soften stools, along with plenty of fluids. Offer plenty of fluids too.
Can babies eat dried figs?
Yes, chopped finely and soaked, mixed into foods. Soak dried figs to make them soft.
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).