How To Introduce and Serve Cherries

Cherries are a delicious and nutritious food to offer your bub- but they are also a choking hazard. We go through the best ways to offer cherries to your bub based on age.

Is it an allergen?

No, cherries are not a top 9 allergen and allergic reactions are uncommon. About 3% of teenagers have a fruit or veggie allergy in Australia and the rates are even lower in children.(1) So rest assured, it isn’t likely!

How to serve them!

6-9 months:

• pureed
• minced and served on their own or mixed through yoghurt, porridge or chia pudding

9+ months:

• pitted and quartered

12 + months:

• pitted and halved
• pitted and whole but squashed

When can you offer a whole cherry?

This is really dependent on age and skill level but not before the age of 3. From 3-4 years (when your toddler is ready) you can teach them to eat a cherry and spit the pit out.  Model this for them first. Take a bite and show them the pit and explain that "we don't eat this part because it is very hard". Spit it out and then eat the cherry. Then, get them to do it with you to practice.

References

1. https://www.schn.health.nsw.gov.au/fact-sheets/allergy-fruit-and-vegetable-allergy

  and https://allergyfacts.org.au/allergy-anaphylaxis/food-allergens