First foods database
🫘 Lentils for babies: when and how to serve it
Can babies eat lentils? Yes, from about 6 months. Lentils are one of the best plant sources of iron and protein, cook down into a soft, creamy mash with no soaking needed, and are cheap and freezer friendly.
Good source of: Iron, Protein, Fibre, Folate
How to serve lentils by age
6 to 9 months
Cook red lentils until they collapse into a smooth purée, or blend green and brown lentils with vegetables. Thicker lentil mash can be scooped onto a preloaded spoon or spread on toast fingers.
9 to 12 months
Serve lumpier lentil stews, dal with rice, or lentil patties and fritters that your baby can hold.
12 months and up
Offer lentils in soups, bolognese, shepherd's pie, curries and salads, just as the family eats them.
Choking safety
Cooked lentils are soft and low risk. Firmer green or brown lentils can be lightly mashed for young babies so they are not loose and slippery.
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
- Pair with a vitamin C food such as tomato, pepper or broccoli to help your baby absorb the iron.
- Tinned lentils are handy; choose those in water with no added salt and rinse them well.
Easy ideas
- Red lentil and sweet potato mash
- Lentil bolognese with pasta
- Lentil and carrot fritters
Goes well with
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Questions parents ask
Can babies eat lentils?
Can babies eat lentils? Yes, from about 6 months. Lentils are one of the best plant sources of iron and protein, cook down into a soft, creamy mash with no soaking needed, and are cheap and freezer friendly.
Do lentils cause gas in babies?
They can cause some wind at first because of their fibre. Start with small portions and increase slowly.
Which lentils are best for babies?
Red lentils cook fastest and turn smooth, which makes them ideal for first meals. Green and brown lentils hold their shape for older 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).