First foods database
🟢 Petit pois for babies: when and how to serve it
Can babies eat petit pois? Yes, from about 6 months. These small, sweet peas are tender, mash smoothly and are easy to keep in the freezer, making them one of the simplest green vegetables to offer early in weaning.
Good source of: Protein, Fibre, Vitamin C, Folate
How to serve petit pois by age
6 to 9 months
Cook frozen petit pois in boiling water for 3 to 4 minutes until very soft, then purée or mash with a little butter, breast milk or formula. Squash a few flat between your fingers so your baby can practise picking them up.
9 to 12 months
Offer softly cooked peas lightly squashed, stirred into pasta, risotto or mashed potato. Babies with a developing pincer grip love chasing them around the tray.
12 months and up
Serve whole cooked peas with family meals, in fritters, soups and pies. Keep them soft rather than al dente for younger toddlers.
Choking safety
Whole peas are small and round, which can be a choking risk for younger babies. Squash or mash them until your baby is chewing well, and always cook them until soft.
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
- Choose frozen or fresh peas over tinned, which can have added salt and sugar.
- Babies sometimes pass peas undigested in their nappy. This is normal.
Easy ideas
- Pea and mint mash
- Petit pois and cheese fritters
- Pea pesto pasta with ricotta
Goes well with
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Questions parents ask
Can babies eat petit pois?
Can babies eat petit pois? Yes, from about 6 months. These small, sweet peas are tender, mash smoothly and are easy to keep in the freezer, making them one of the simplest green vegetables to offer early in weaning.
Are petit pois better than garden peas for babies?
Both are fine. Petit pois are smaller and sweeter, so they tend to be softer and easier to mash.
Can I give my baby frozen peas?
Frozen peas are a great choice and just as nutritious as fresh. Always cook them first; never serve them frozen as a teether.
Why are there peas in my baby's nappy?
The outer skin can pass through undigested. Mashing peas helps your baby get more of the goodness inside.
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).