First foods database
🫓 Naan for babies: when and how to serve it
Can babies eat naan? Yes, from about 6 months, in small amounts. Naan contains wheat (gluten) and often milk or yoghurt, and shop-bought versions can be quite salty, so plain homemade or low-salt naan is best.
Good source of: Carbohydrate, Protein, Calcium
How to serve naan by age
6 to 9 months
Tear plain naan into strips about the size of an adult finger for baby to hold and gum, or dip into a smooth dal or curry. Avoid garlic butter or salted toppings.
9 to 12 months
Offer soft strips of naan for dipping into dal, hummus or mild curries, or small pieces to practise the pincer grip.
12 months and up
Serve plain naan with family curries and dals. Mini naan pizzas topped with tomato and cheese are popular with toddlers.
Choking safety
Naan is soft but can be chewy, so offer strips rather than big doughy balls, and stay with baby as they learn to bite and chew. Toasted naan should not have hard, crunchy edges for young babies.
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
- Contains wheat and usually milk, both common allergens.
- Shop-bought naan can be salty; keep portions small or make your own.
- Avoid garlic butter and peshwari naan with added sugar.
Introducing it as an allergen
It contains gluten, milk, which are among the 14 major allergens. How to introduce gluten · How to introduce milk
Easy ideas
- Naan strips with mild dal
- Mini naan pizzas with tomato and mozzarella
- Naan with hummus and cucumber
Goes well with
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Questions parents ask
Can babies eat naan?
Can babies eat naan? Yes, from about 6 months, in small amounts. Naan contains wheat (gluten) and often milk or yoghurt, and shop-bought versions can be quite salty, so plain homemade or low-salt naan is best.
Is naan too salty for babies?
Many shop-bought naans contain a fair amount of salt, so offer small pieces occasionally, check the label, or make a simple homemade version with no added salt.
Does naan contain egg?
Some recipes do, so check the label if your baby has an egg allergy. Most contain wheat and yoghurt or milk.
Sources
- NHS Start for Life: Weaning
- NHS: What to feed young children
- NHS: Food allergies in babies and young children
- NHS: How to stop a child from choking
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).