General information, not medical advice. Talk to your pediatrician before starting solids or allergens.

Carrot for babies

When and how to serve carrot at every stage of starting solids.

Introduce from: 6–9 months
Safety notes: Common choking hazard

How to prepare carrot by age

6–9 months
Steam or roast until very soft. Cut into stick shapes.
9–12 months
Once cooked soft, cut into thin sticks or small flattened pieces — never round coins, which are a choking hazard. Continue cooking until tender.
12 months+
Can serve slightly firmer. Raw carrot is still a choking hazard.

Choking hazard

Carrot can be a choking hazard for babies and young children. Prepare it exactly as described for your baby’s age, seat your baby upright and always supervise meals.

Gagging (loud coughing, watery eyes, a red face) is a normal part of learning to eat. Choking is silent: your baby cannot cough, cry or breathe and needs immediate help. Learn infant CPR and choking rescue.

Nutrition highlights

Vitamin A
High fiber
Antioxidants

Serving ideas

Roasted sticks
Carrot muffins
Mixed in soup
Carrot hummus

Prepare these as described above for your baby’s age.

Choosing and storing

Storage: Store in refrigerator crisper for up to 3 weeks.

Recipes with carrot

Sources

This guide is based on published guidance from:

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