First foods database
🍠 Yam for babies: when and how to serve it
Can babies eat yam? Yes, from about 6 months, as long as it is peeled and cooked thoroughly. Boiled yam is soft, filling and mashes into a smooth, comforting first food.
Good source of: Potassium, Vitamin C, Fibre, Manganese
How to serve yam by age
6 to 9 months
Peel, boil until very soft and mash or pound smooth with a little milk. Offer finger-length pieces of soft boiled yam to hold.
9 to 12 months
Serve mashed alongside stews, or as small soft cubes. Pounded yam rolled into small soft balls is good for little hands.
12 months and up
Serve boiled, roasted or as part of family dishes such as yam porridge.
Choking safety
Always cook yam fully, as raw yam is not safe to eat. Soft boiled yam is low risk, but pounded yam can be sticky, so offer it in small flattened pieces with a soft stew rather than large dense lumps.
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
- Never serve raw yam.
- Wear gloves when peeling as the skin can irritate hands.
- Serve with a soft sauce or stew so it is easy to swallow.
Easy ideas
- Mashed yam with spinach stew
- Yam and fish stew
- Roasted yam wedges
Goes well with
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Questions parents ask
Can babies eat yam?
Can babies eat yam? Yes, from about 6 months, as long as it is peeled and cooked thoroughly. Boiled yam is soft, filling and mashes into a smooth, comforting first food.
Is yam the same as sweet potato?
No. True yam has rough brown skin and white or purple flesh. Both are good for babies when cooked.
Can babies eat pounded yam?
Yes, in small flattened pieces mixed with a soft stew so it is less sticky to swallow.
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).