The holiday season is just around the corner, which likely means more family gatherings, delicious food, and meaningful traditions. 🍲🕎🎄🕯️If you have a baby or toddler at home, you’re probably wondering how (or if) they can join in on certain festive foods. Whether your little one is just starting solids or fully embracing family foods, here’s your guide to navigating the holiday table with confidence. 💫👶
👶 Babies 6–12 Months
For babies under one, the holidays are more about exploration than eating full meals. 🥄💙Breastmilk or formula should remain the primary source of nutrition for most, and solids are all about introducing new flavors and textures, while developing chewing skills. 🥰
🥕 Safe Holiday Foods for Babies Under 1:
- 🥔 Soft-cooked vegetables – serve mashed, in large pieces for baby-led weaning, or bite-sized pieces for older eaters (e.g., sweet potato, carrot, butternut squash, green beans)
- 🍗 Turkey or chicken – serve drumstick bone for baby-led weaning or flat long strips of soft-cooked meat; transition to shredded and bite-sized pieces as baby develops the pincer grasp around 9 months
- 🥣 Mashed potatoes – soft, creamy, and delicious
- 🍌 Soft fruits – banana, cooked apple, cooked pear, pumpkin purée, and homemade cranberry sauce 🍎🎁
🚫 Foods to Avoid for Babies Under 1:
- 🍯 Honey – risk for infant botulism
- 🍬 Gummies, candies, and marshmallows – sticky, chewy textures are choking hazards for young children
- 🌰 Whole nuts, raw vegetables, popcorn – difficult to chew and swallow
- 🧁 Sugary desserts or juice – focus on simple, natural flavors instead 🍐
👧 Toddlers 1–2 Years
· Toddlers between one and two can enjoy a wider variety of holiday foods as their chewing skills and curiosity grow. 🥳👶🏽Offer soft, bite-sized pieces and a mix of textures—like tender meats, crunchy vegetables, fruits, and small pieces of bread or pancakes. 🥞🍓🍗
· Continue to avoid choking hazards such as gummies, hard candies, marshmallows, whole nuts, and popcorn. ⚠️Be cautious with raw, hard vegetables and fruits like apples, which can be too difficult for some little mouths still—serve them finely shredded or sliced flat and thin instead. ✂️🍏Sugary drinks and desserts are best kept in moderation. 🍪🥛
· 👩🍳 Encourage your toddler to join in meal prep: mashing sweet potatoes, stirring muffin batter, or setting napkins on the table. These small moments build curiosity and positive food experiences that last well beyond the holidays. 🌟🕎🎶
And remember, holidays are about connection, not perfection. 💕
Keep meals low-pressure, focus on safety, and celebrate the joy of experiencing food together — whether you’re lighting the menorah 🕯️, trimming the tree 🎄, or simply sharing cozy moments with loved ones. 🕊️🍽️
If you’re looking for more guidance on introducing solids, navigating picky eating, or making mealtimes less stressful, you can sign up for our Intro to Solids Group Class here taught by Jennifer Agha Khan MS, RDN or reach out to Jennifer directly at Little Eaters Academy. She is here to help with practical, evidence-based resources and personalized support. 🌍🤱
Written by Jennifer Agha-Khan, MS, RDN
Founder of Little Eaters Academy, pediatric nutrition expert, and mom
