Allergen note
Butter is a dairy food and has nothing to do with nut butters. It is mostly milk fat but contains small amounts of milk protein, so a child with cow's milk allergy can react to it. If cow's milk allergy has been diagnosed, ask your pediatrician before offering butter.
How to serve
From 12 months, melt about half a teaspoon into mashed potatoes, steamed vegetables, oatmeal or pasta, or spread a thin layer on toast strips. Butter is rich in saturated fat, so use it to add flavor rather than as a large part of the meal.
Preparation
Unsalted butter is the better everyday choice because you control the salt; if you use salted butter, use less and add no other salt to the dish. Melt it gently over low heat or stir it into hot food, let the dish cool before serving, and don't let it burn.
Texture and choking risk
Butter itself is not a typical choking hazard, but cold, hard lumps are slippery and awkward to swallow. Melt it into food or spread it thinly on lightly toasted bread strips, and keep your toddler seated and supervised while eating.
Sources: cdc.gov · cdc.gov · healthychildren.org · healthychildren.org · nhs.uk · nhs.uk
Starting ages are typical guidance for healthy, full-term babies who show signs of readiness. Your paediatrician may advise differently, especially where there is a family history of allergy.
Track first tastes and reactions
Log when your child first tries butter, note any reaction and see it in the allergen tracker.
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