First foods database
🍿 Popcorn for babies: when and how to serve it
Can babies eat popcorn? No. Popcorn is not suitable for children under 5. The light, airy pieces are easily breathed in, and the hard unpopped kernels and husks are a choking risk. There are lots of crunchy, snacky alternatives that are much safer for little ones.
Good source of: Fibre, Carbohydrate
How to serve popcorn by age
6 to 9 months
Not yet. Popcorn is not suitable for babies. For a light, melt-in-the-mouth snack, try puffed corn snacks made for babies, which dissolve quickly, or soft sweetcorn mashed into fritters.
9 to 12 months
Not yet. Offer soft finger foods instead, such as toast fingers, soft-cooked vegetable sticks or baby puffs without added salt or sugar.
12 months and up
Still not until around 5 years. When you do offer popcorn to older children, choose plain popcorn without salt or sugar, check for unpopped kernels, and make sure they sit down to eat.
Choking safety
Popcorn is high choking risk for under-5s: pieces can be inhaled into the airways when a child breathes in while chewing, and kernels and husks are hard and sharp. Keep bowls of popcorn out of reach at parties and film nights.
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
- Keep popcorn away from children under 5, including older siblings' snacks.
- Shop-bought popcorn is often high in salt or sugar.
Goes well with
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Questions parents ask
Can babies eat popcorn?
Can babies eat popcorn? No. Popcorn is not suitable for children under 5. The light, airy pieces are easily breathed in, and the hard unpopped kernels and husks are a choking risk. There are lots of crunchy, snacky alternatives that are much safer for little ones.
When can children eat popcorn?
The NHS advises no popcorn for under-5s. From 5, offer plain popcorn and supervise while they eat it sitting down.
My toddler ate some popcorn, what should I do?
If they are breathing, talking and not coughing, keep calm and watch them. If they are coughing hard, let them cough. If they cannot cough, breathe or cry, call 999 and follow choking first aid.
What is a safe alternative to popcorn for toddlers?
Melt-in-the-mouth corn puffs, soft rice cakes, or soft sweetcorn are good options for a snacky crunch.
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).