First foods database
🍖 Lamb for babies: when and how to serve it
Can babies eat lamb? Yes, from about 6 months. Lamb is a rich source of easily absorbed iron and zinc, which babies need more of from about 6 months as their own stores run low, and its rich flavour cooks down beautifully in slow stews.
Good source of: Iron, Zinc, Protein, Vitamin B12
How to serve lamb by age
6 to 9 months
Slow cook lamb shoulder or neck until it falls apart, then shred it finely or blend it with the cooking liquid and vegetables. Lamb mince fried and blended into a sauce works too. For finger food, offer soft shredded strips or small, soft meatballs or koftas your baby can squash.
9 to 12 months
Offer finely chopped slow-cooked lamb with couscous, rice or mashed sweet potato, or mild lamb meatballs in tomato sauce. A dollop of plain yoghurt with a little cumin or mint is a lovely pairing.
12 months and up
Serve small pieces of tender lamb from family meals such as shepherd's pie, mild curry or kofta.
Choking safety
Chunks of roast lamb can be chewy and hard to break down. Serve lamb slow cooked until it shreds, minced, or in large soft strips babies can suck and gnaw. Remove all bones, gristle and fatty bits.
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 lamb mince thoroughly until no pink remains.
- Do not add salt or stock cubes; use rosemary, mint or cumin for flavour.
Easy ideas
- Slow-cooked lamb and sweet potato stew
- Mild lamb koftas with yoghurt dip
- Shepherd's pie with carrot mash
Goes well with
Recipes with lamb
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Questions parents ask
Can babies eat lamb?
Can babies eat lamb? Yes, from about 6 months. Lamb is a rich source of easily absorbed iron and zinc, which babies need more of from about 6 months as their own stores run low, and its rich flavour cooks down beautifully in slow stews.
What is the best way to cook lamb for a baby?
Slow cooking a cheaper cut such as shoulder or neck makes it very tender. Minced lamb in meatballs or shepherd's pie is also easy for babies to manage.
Is lamb good for iron?
Yes, lamb is one of the best sources of the easily absorbed haem iron. Serving it with vegetables rich in vitamin C, such as peppers or broccoli, helps even more.
Can babies eat lamb fat?
A little fat adds flavour and energy, but trim off large fatty bits, which are slippery and chewy.
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).