First foods database
🥔 Taro for babies: when and how to serve it
Can babies eat taro? Yes, from about 6 months, as long as it is always fully cooked. Taro root is starchy, creamy and slightly nutty, and is a staple in many Caribbean, African and Asian kitchens.
Good source of: Fibre, Potassium, Vitamin E, Vitamin B6
How to serve taro by age
6 to 9 months
Peel (wear gloves, as the raw skin can irritate hands), boil until very soft and mash with breast milk or formula. Soft cooked sticks can be offered as finger food. Taro becomes slightly sticky when mashed, so thin it with milk or cooking water.
9 to 12 months
Serve mashed taro, soft cubes or taro mixed with coconut milk and vegetables. It pairs well with leafy greens and coconut, as in many Pacific Island dishes.
12 months and up
Offer taro in stews, curries and soups or as soft roasted chunks.
Choking safety
Raw taro is very hard. Cook until it is soft all the way through and serve as mash or squashable sticks. Taro can be gluey, so keep it moist and offer small amounts at a time.
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
- Taro must never be eaten raw. It contains compounds that irritate the mouth and throat until cooked.
Easy ideas
- Taro mashed with coconut milk
- Taro and chicken stew
- Soft taro sticks with yoghurt dip
Goes well with
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Questions parents ask
Can babies eat taro?
Can babies eat taro? Yes, from about 6 months, as long as it is always fully cooked. Taro root is starchy, creamy and slightly nutty, and is a staple in many Caribbean, African and Asian kitchens.
Is taro safe for babies?
Yes, when fully cooked. Cooking breaks down the compounds that make raw taro irritating.
Can babies eat taro leaves?
Only when cooked very thoroughly, as in traditional dishes. Most parents start with the root. The leaves are used in dishes like callaloo and laulau, but they need long, thorough cooking.
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).