First foods database
🥔 Swede for babies: when and how to serve it
Can babies eat swede? Yes, from about 6 months. Cooked swede has a mild, slightly sweet and peppery flavour, mashes very smoothly and is a lovely, inexpensive British root vegetable for early weaning. It is often one of the cheapest vegetables in UK shops through autumn and winter.
Good source of: Vitamin C, Fibre, Potassium, Vitamin B6
How to serve swede by age
6 to 9 months
Peel, chop and boil or steam until completely soft, then mash or purée. For finger food, offer roasted wedges that squash easily between your fingers. Swede has a mild, sweet taste that many babies accept readily, so it is a useful one to mix with stronger-tasting greens.
9 to 12 months
Mash with carrot (the classic Scottish 'neeps') or serve soft cubes for your baby to pick up. Try it with a little unsalted butter or a pinch of black pepper or nutmeg for flavour.
12 months and up
Serve mashed, roasted or in stews, casseroles and cottage pie toppings. Mashed swede also works well stirred through lentil stews or on top of fish pie.
Choking safety
Raw swede is very hard. Always cook it until soft enough to squash easily, and avoid hard roasted edges or small firm cubes for young babies. Roasted swede can be firmer than roasted squash, so test a piece before serving.
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
- Swede is quite dense and filling; mix it with other vegetables for variety.
Easy ideas
- Swede and carrot mash
- Roasted swede wedges
- Cottage pie with swede topping
Goes well with
Recipes with swede
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Questions parents ask
Can babies eat swede?
Can babies eat swede? Yes, from about 6 months. Cooked swede has a mild, slightly sweet and peppery flavour, mashes very smoothly and is a lovely, inexpensive British root vegetable for early weaning. It is often one of the cheapest vegetables in UK shops through autumn and winter.
Is swede the same as turnip?
They are related. In parts of the UK swede is called turnip or 'neeps'. Swede has yellow flesh and is slightly sweeter.
Can I freeze swede purée?
Yes. Mashed swede freezes well in ice cube trays for up to a few months.
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).