Can my baby have lentils?
A quick, age-by-age answer with how to serve it safely. Checked against AAP, USDA WIC.
Most babies start solids around 6 months.
Lentils are one of the best plant sources of iron and protein a baby can eat, once solids begin.
How to serve: Wait for solids readiness.
Iron gold, and no prep tricks needed.
Cooked lentils are small and soft enough that they need no cutting or smashing, which makes them one of the easiest iron-rich foods for babies. Iron needs jump around 6 months, and lentils help cover the gap.
How to serve: Cook until soft and serve as a thick dal, mashed into purees, or spoonable on their own. Thin with water or breast milk for the earliest eaters, and rinse canned lentils to cut sodium.
Sources: AAP, USDA WIC. This is general guidance, not medical advice. Ask your pediatrician about your child.
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