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    MJ & Hungryman » How To Do Baby Led Weaning

    Strawberries for Babies (Puree and Baby Led Weaning)

    By Min On April 17, 2023

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy for more details.

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    Pureed, mashed, whole, thinly sliced, and quartered strawberries on a white plate.

    Learn how to safely prepare and serve strawberries to your baby as early as 6 months! You can puree, offer as a finger food for baby led weaning, or add to recipes.

    A six image collage of baby-friendly strawberry recipes.
    Jump to:
    • When can babies eat strawberries?
    • Health Benefits
    • Are Strawberries safe for babies?
    • Selecting the best strawberries
    • Organic vs. Conventional Strawberries
    • Strawberry Puree
    • How to Serve Strawberries for Baby Led Weaning
    • Strawberry Recipes for Babies
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Strawberry Puree

    When can babies eat strawberries?

    If soft and ripe, strawberries can be introduced to babies as soon as they’re ready to start solids, usually around 6 months.

    It’s important to remember that your baby is unique and that rather than going by the calendar, you need to make sure your baby is DEVELOPMENTALLY ready to start solids.

    If you’re unsure, be sure to grab this FREE handout!

    Is your baby 6 months old and up?

    Learn all the secrets to starting solids safely while optimizing nutrition!
    I NEED IT NOW!

    Health Benefits

    Strawberries are an excellent source of vitamin C, which helps boost the immune system and enhance the absorption of plant-based iron.

    Their high fiber content can help with digestion and reduce the risk of constipation.

    Strawberries also contain a variety of antioxidants, such as anthocyanins (which give strawberries their red color), ellagic acid, flavonoids, and vitamin E.

    And together, these antioxidants help reduce inflammation, support the immune system, and protect against chronic diseases.

    Are Strawberries safe for babies?

    While strawberries can be introduced as one of your baby's first foods, it's extremely important to make sure they're prepared and served in an age-appropriate way to minimize the risk of choking.

    Let me show you how! The key is to avoid small, round, and firm strawberries.

    Strawberries are also not a common allergen. Although you may notice a rash around the mouth, this is likely not a sign of an allergic reaction. Rather it's due to the high acid content, just like tomatoes.

    Selecting the best strawberries

    Fresh strawberries with stem on.

    Because they are delicate and have a short shelf life, selecting the best strawberries can be challenging. Here are some top tips:

    • Choose strawberries that are bright red in color as they tend to be the sweetest. If you see any white or green patches, that means they were not picked at peak ripeness.
    • The stem should be green and fresh. If it's brown or wilted that is a strong indicator that the berries are not fresh.
    • Choose locally grown, in-season strawberries as they are often fresher with better flavor.
    • Do the sniff test. Ripe strawberries should have a sweet, fragrant aroma.

    I recommend purchasing in bulk and freezing the strawberries when they are in season so you can save money and enjoy their deliciousness all year round!

    Organic vs. Conventional Strawberries

    Strawberries are at the top of list when it comes to fruits with the highest pesticide residue , so it's best to purchase organic, IF possible.

    I emphasize IF because organic strawberries are more expensive, and I don't want the cost to be a deterring factor.

    The health benefits of eating any fruits and vegetables outweigh the potential pesticide risk.

    Refer to the FAQ section below for tips on how to wash fresh strawberries to remove as much surface pesticide residue as possible.

    Strawberry Puree

    Pureed strawberries.

    It truly is so simple to make! All you need are ripe fresh strawberries or frozen strawberries that have been thawed. I recommend using fresh when in season for best flavor.

    You can freeze fresh strawberries so you can enjoy the flavor of summer throughout the year.

    The recipe is found at the bottom of the post.

    Strawberry Puree combinations

    You can serve strawberry puree by itself or mix in other foods such as:

    • Yogurt (pictured)
    • Baby oatmeal
    • Chicken (know it may sound weird but your baby will love it!)
    • Lentils
    • Quinoa
    • Applesauce
    • Banana
    • Mango
    • Pear
    • Beets
    • Butternut squash
    • Cauliflower
    • Broccoli
    • Carrots
    • Spinach
    • Zucchini
    • Sweet potatoes

    How to Serve Strawberries for Baby Led Weaning

    Pureed, mashed, whole, thinly sliced, and quartered strawberries on a white plate.

    The Ultimate Guide to Baby Led Weaning

    6+ Months

    Strawberry Puree

    There is a common misconception that you can't serve purees when doing baby led weaning, and that's simply not true!

    Preload onto a spoon (this baby spoon is a must!) and place on the table or directly in their hand. You can start with the smooth texture and move to the chunky texture by 9 months at the latest.

    Mashed Strawberry

    Mash with the back of a fork and serve as is or add to any of the foods listed above.

    Whole Strawberry

    A large strawberry with a checkmark and a small strawberry with an X.

    I know it sounds counterintuitive but bigger is better and safer at this age. Their strong gag reflex will push out any large pieces that can't be swallowed whole.

    So offer a big and soft whole strawberry with steam removed. It should be easily smooshable with your fingers.

    I actually love frozen strawberries as they become super soft once thawed.

    9+ Months

    Along with all the above options, you can start to offer thinly sliced or quartered strawberries.

    Have a teething baby? Try these popsicles made with 2 ingredient strawberry juice!

    Strawberry Recipes for Babies

    Homemade Strawberry Yogurt
    Three ingredients are all you need to make this strawberry yogurt that contains much less sugar than the store-bought versions
    Get the recipe
    A close up shot of strawberry yogurt with strawberries in the backgrounnd.
    Sugar Free Strawberry Jam
    3 ingredients and 10 minutes are all you need to make this sugar-free strawberry jam. It tastes like real fruit and is perfectly thick without pectin.
    Get the recipe
    a side view of strawberry jam in a mason jar with a spoon.
    Strawberry Waffles
    Made with simple, healthy ingredients, and no added sugars, these strawberry waffles are the perfect way to start the day.
    Get the recipe
    Two waffles with yogurt and fresh strawberries.
    Healthy Baked Strawberry Oatmeal
    Super easy to make, this healthy baked oatmeal recipe with juicy strawberries and bananas is the perfect make ahead breakfast or snack for the whole family!
    Get the recipe
    Baked oatmeal served in a white bowl with milk, sliced almonds, and peanut butter.
    Strawberry banana pancakes
    Made with simple, healthy ingredients, these strawberry banana pancakes are light, fluffy, and delicious! They contain no added sugar and are a delicious breakfast for the whole family!
    Get the recipe
    Stacked pancakes with slices cut out to show the inside.
    Strawberry Sorbet
    This strawberry sorbet is a no-fuss recipe that guarantees a smooth and creamy texture, perfect for a hot summer day. You need just 3 ingredients and 5 minutes of prep time. 
    Get the recipe
    Strawberry sorbet being scooped inside a container.
    Strawberry almond flour mug cake
    Just a few minutes is all it takes to make this nutty, light, and moist almond flour mug cake. Baked in the microwave, it is the easiest single serving breakfast or dessert.
    Get the recipe
    A close up shot of spooned mug cake.A close up shot of spooned mug cake.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Is fresh strawberries better than frozen strawberries?

    Both types are great! Nothing beats fresh, in-season juicy strawberries. However, frozen strawberries are just as nutritious as fresh and are so convenient to have on hand all year round.

    What is the best way to store fresh strawberries?

    Here are some ways to keep your strawberries fresh for longer. Keep in mind moisture is the biggest enemy. You can line the container with a paper towel and replace it every day or so to keep the strawberries dry.

    If you want to wash first and store in the refrigerator, transfer the strawberries to a large bowl with one part white vinegar and 3 parts water. Gently stir to coat in vinegar solution and allow to soak for 5-10 minutes. Drain and rinse thoroughly to remove any vinegar taste. Pat dry and transfer to a container lined with paper towel.

    If you want to learn how to prepare other specific food(s), check out my How To Series!

    Pureed, mashed, whole, thinly sliced, and quartered strawberries on a white plate.

    Strawberry Puree

    Learn how to safely prepare and serve strawberries to your baby as early as 6 months! You can puree, offer as a finger food for baby led weaning, or add to recipes.
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 0 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4
    Author: Min | MJ and Hungryman

    Equipment

    • Blender

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup ripe fresh or frozen strawberries

    Optional

    • 2 teaspoons lemon juice
    • 1 teaspoon lemon zest

    Instructions

    • Rinse well and pat dry. Remove the stems. Cut the strawberries into small pieces.
    • Add to a food processor or blender. Blend until smooth. Depending on how juicy your strawberries are, you many need to add a little bit of water, breastmilk, or formula.
    • Optional: if you desire a smoother texture, strain the puree through a fine-mesh colander to remove any seeds or chunks.

    Notes

    Transfer to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 12kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 0.3g | Potassium: 58mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 5IU
    Course Snack
    Cuisine baby food
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Tag me @KidFriendly.Meals today!

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    About Min

    Thank you so much for stopping by! I am Min, a Registered Dietitian, a Christ follower, a wife, and a mom to our two miracle babies! Currently, I’m having a ton of fun feeding their tummies and sharing our baby led weaning journey! Follow me on Instagram if interested in seeing daily menu as well as tips and tricks.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jenny says

      April 22, 2023 at 9:51 am

      5 stars
      Whipped this up during the week and found my baby could not get enough of it! I put it in his snack over some plain greek yogurt, and drizzled it over his banana oatmeal for breakfast. LOVE. Can't wait to check out other ways to serve strawberries (and this puree!) to my little one now that they will soon be coming back into season! Thank you 🙂

      Reply
      • Min says

        April 22, 2023 at 4:03 pm

        Yay!!! This puree is so versatile, isn't it? Def try the other strawberry ideas too ;).

        Reply

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    I am MJ, a registered dietitian and a mom of 2. I truly hope you’ll enjoy all the recipes and tips that I share on what and how to feed your child!

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