Allergen note
Kiwi isn't a top allergen but is one of the more common fruit allergies in young children, and reactions can be serious; it is also linked to latex and pollen allergy. Start small: mouth redness is usually juice irritation, but hives, swelling or vomiting need prompt medical help.
How to serve
From around 6 months, offer ripe kiwi mashed, or as peeled halves or thick wedges rolled in infant cereal for a better grip. From 9–12 months, cut it into small bite-sized pieces for pincer practice; toddlers can scoop a halved kiwi with a spoon.
Preparation
Choose kiwi that gives slightly when pressed; hard kiwi is sour and tough. Peel it with a knife or spoon (the tiny seeds are fine to eat) and serve it raw. Its natural enzyme turns dairy bitter over time, so mix kiwi into yogurt just before serving.
Texture and choking risk
Ripe kiwi is soft and its seeds are tiny, but the flesh is slippery and underripe kiwi is firm. Serve only ripe, soft kiwi in age-appropriate shapes, avoid hard pieces and strips of fuzzy skin, and always supervise your seated baby.
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 kiwi, note any reaction and see it in the allergen tracker.
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