First foods database

🥬 Spinach for babies: when and how to serve it

Can babies eat spinach? Yes, from about 6 months. Cooked spinach is a gentle green to stir into purées, eggs and sauces, and it brings plant iron and folate to the plate.

From 6 monthsLow choking risk when prepared wellIron rich

Good source of: Iron, Folate, Vitamin K, Vitamin A

How to serve spinach by age

6 to 9 months

Wilt or steam until soft, squeeze out the water and chop finely or blend into purées, mashed potato or lentils. For finger food, mix chopped spinach into soft omelette strips or small fritters.

9 to 12 months

Keep chopping finely and add to pasta sauces, dal and scrambled egg. Small pieces of spinach and cheese muffin or frittata work well for little fingers.

12 months and up

Serve cooked in family meals or offer finely shredded raw baby spinach in salads once chewing is confident.

Choking safety

Whole leaves can stick to the roof of the mouth and cause gagging, so chop cooked spinach finely and mix it into something rather than offering large wet leaves.

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

Plant iron is absorbed better with vitamin C foods such as tomato, pepper or orange.
Cool leftover cooked spinach quickly, keep it in the fridge and use within a day.

Easy ideas

Spinach and potato mash
Spinach and cheese omelette strips
Spinach stirred into red lentil dal

Goes well with

🥚EggFrom 6 months · Egg 🫘Red lentilsFrom 6 months 🥔PotatoFrom 6 months 🧀CheddarFrom 6 months · Milk

Recipes with spinach

🍳Baby egg and spinach omelette stripsFrom 7 months · Breakfast · 11 min 🧅Baked mixed veg pakora frittersFrom 9 months · Lunch · 35 min 🍛Batch cook mild chickpea and spinach curryFrom 7 months · Dinner · 35 min 🍝Beef and spinach baby lasagneFrom 9 months · Dinner · 70 min 🧁Cheddar, sweet potato and spinach frittata muffinsFrom 9 months · Lunch · 35 min 🥬Chicken and spinach saagFrom 9 months · Dinner · 40 min

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Questions parents ask

Can babies eat spinach?

Can babies eat spinach? Yes, from about 6 months. Cooked spinach is a gentle green to stir into purées, eggs and sauces, and it brings plant iron and folate to the plate.

Can babies eat raw spinach?

Cooked and chopped is easier for young babies. Finely shredded raw spinach is fine for older babies and toddlers who chew well.

Is spinach good for iron?

It contains plant iron. Pairing it with a vitamin C food at the same meal helps your baby absorb more of it.

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).