Plum is safe for babies from 6 months old. How you prepare it changes as your baby grows. Here is exactly what to do at each stage.
Choking risk: low
Low choking risk with appropriate preparation. Always supervise mealtimes.
Flavor guide
Ripe plums have a complex sweet-tart flavor with a rich, winey depth and a thin skin that carries a sharp tartness distinct from the sweeter flesh beneath. Cooking plums into a compote concentrates the sweetness, mellows the tartness, and produces a deep, jammy, ruby-colored sauce with a silky texture. They pair naturally with yogurt, oats, cinnamon, vanilla, cardamom, and pork.
Peel, remove pit, and cut into spears. Ripe plums are soft enough without steaming. If firm, steam 3-5 minutes. Natural sorbitol content gently helps with baby constipation.
Serving ideas
Peeled or unpeeled soft wedges (European/prune plum skins are thin and fine). Remove the pit completely. Good pincer grip practice.
Serving ideas
Raw wedges, cooked into compote, or dried as prunes. The pit must always be removed, it contains trace cyanogenic compounds.
Serving ideas
Halve, remove pit, freeze on a tray, then bag. Cook from frozen into compote or blend into smoothies. Not ideal as fresh finger food after thawing.
Batch prep tip
Halve and pit ripe plums, roast cut-side down at 375 degrees F until soft and juicy, blend or mash, and freeze in ice cube portions. Thaw to mix into oatmeal, yogurt, or use as a sauce. Keeps 4 months.
Ingredients
Steps
Yogurt is a dairy allergen. Introduce dairy separately before combining. Compote freezes well for up to 4 months.
When can babies eat plums?
Babies can eat plums from 6 months old. Choose very ripe plums, remove the pit completely, and peel for babies under 9 months. Slice into thick wedges that baby can grip. Underripe plums are too firm and should be avoided.
Do plums help with baby constipation?
Yes. Plums contain sorbitol, a natural sugar alcohol with gentle laxative effects, plus fiber that supports digestion. A tablespoon or two of plum puree mixed into oatmeal or yogurt is a time-tested remedy for baby constipation. Prunes (dried plums) have the same effect in more concentrated form.
Do I need to peel plums for my baby?
For babies under 9 months, peel plums before serving. The skin can be tough and slippery, making it hard for young babies to manage. After 9 months, you can leave the skin on for babies who are chewing well. The skin contains concentrated antioxidants, so serving it when baby is ready is nutritionally worthwhile.
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