Vegetable

Cabbage for babies

Cabbage is one of the most economical vegetables there is and cooks soft in minutes. Shred it finely and it disappears into almost anything.

Age suggestion 6 months+ Choking risk Moderate Iron-rich No Common allergen No

When can babies have cabbage?

From around 6 months, finely shredded and cooked soft. Red cabbage carries additional anthocyanins and slightly more vitamin C.

How do you serve cabbage to a baby?

The shape is what makes a food safe, and it changes as your baby’s grip and chewing change. Find your baby’s age band.

6–8 months

Shred very finely, steam or sauté until completely soft, and mix into mashed potato, rice or a sauce.
9–11 months

Finely shredded cooked cabbage as a side or in a stir-fry.
12–18 months

Shredded cooked cabbage, in soup, or braised.
18–24 months

Family portions, cooked. Raw slaw from around 2 years, shredded very finely.

Prep tip

Shredding before cooking matters more than cooking time. Whole leaves stay slippery and awkward however soft they get.

Storage

A whole cabbage keeps three to four weeks refrigerated. Cooked cabbage keeps three days.

Is cabbage a choking hazard for babies?

Choking risk Moderate

Cooked cabbage leaves can bunch into a slippery wad. Shred finely before cooking and chop again after if needed. Raw cabbage and coleslaw are too fibrous for babies and should wait until well past 12 months.

Whatever you serve, stay within arm’s reach, keep your baby upright in a supportive seat, and never let them eat in a moving car, buggy or carrier. Gagging is loud and normal. Choking is silent.

Is cabbage a common allergen?

Common allergen No

Cabbage is not one of the nine most common food allergens. Any food can trigger a reaction, though, so offer it on its own the first time and watch for hives, vomiting, swelling or a change in breathing over the next two hours.

Is cabbage healthy for babies?

Cabbage is high in vitamin C and vitamin K at a very low cost. Its practical strength is that it keeps for weeks and cooks in five minutes — a useful vegetable to have on hand when nothing fresh has been bought.

What cabbage brings
Vitamin C	High
Vitamin K	Very high
Folate	Good source
Fibre	Good source
Iron per serving	~0.3 mg

Common questions about cabbage

Will cabbage make my baby windy?

It can — like other brassicas it contains raffinose, which gut bacteria ferment. Start small and build up; most babies adapt within a couple of weeks.

Is sauerkraut suitable for babies?

Very high in salt, so not as a routine food. A small amount rinsed from around 12 months is fine if your family eats it, but it is not a good way to introduce cabbage.

Reference material

Guidance on this page follows the sources listed below.

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