Step 1: First tiny taste
Offer a small taste of pitted mashed or finely cut cherry. Watch for concerning symptoms during and after the feed.
Cherry
Overview
Cherry is a typical complementary fruit around 6 months when your baby shows readiness for solids. Offer it as a single new food.
Preparation
Wash thoroughly. Remove the pit and any stems. Mash or puree cherries for early textures, or cut them into small pieces. Do not offer whole cherries to young infants — round whole cherries are a choking hazard. Always supervise eating.
Three-step introduction
Step 2: Larger offer
If tolerated, offer more of the same preparation at a later feed.
Step 3: Include regularly
Serve this food regularly in age-safe textures.
FAQ
When are babies usually ready for solid foods?
Complementary foods are typically introduced around 6 months of age, when the baby shows developmental readiness (for example, sitting with support, good head control, and swallowing food rather than pushing it out). Introducing solids before 4 months is not recommended.
Do I need to introduce foods in a certain order?
For most children, there is no required order for first foods. Fruits, vegetables, meats and other proteins, and other food groups can all be part of complementary feeding around 6 months.
How should I prepare cherries to reduce choking risk?
Remove pits and stems. Mash or puree cherries for early textures, or cut small spherical foods such as cherries into small pieces. Do not offer whole cherries to young infants. Always supervise eating.
Sources
- WHO Guideline for complementary feeding of infants and young children 6–23 months of age (2023)
- CDC — When, What, and How to Introduce Solid Foods
- FAO/WHO — Risk assessment of food allergens: Part 1 (Codex priority allergen list)
- FDA — Food Allergies (major food allergens / Big 9)
- CDC — Infant and Toddler Nutrition FAQs