Allergen note
Cucumber pickles rarely cause allergies, but the brine can contain mustard seeds and sulfites (both EU-listed allergens), garlic, dill or other spices. Read the label, especially if your child has a mustard allergy or asthma, and offer a small taste the first time.
How to serve
Pickles are very salty, so skip them before 12 months. After the first birthday, offer them only now and then as a small taste, such as a few thin strips or a spoonful of finely chopped pickle in potato, egg or tuna salad, rather than a whole spear. Save sweet pickles for after age 2.
Preparation
Choose lower-sodium dill pickles, or make quick fridge pickles at home with vinegar, water and dill and little or no salt or sugar. Rinse store-bought pickles and pat them dry to remove some of the surface brine before slicing them for your toddler.
Texture and choking risk
Pickles are firm and slippery, and round coins or whole spears are a choking hazard for young children. Cut them into thin matchsticks or very small pieces, or finely chop them into other foods, and keep your toddler seated and supervised while eating.
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 pickles, note any reaction and see it in the allergen tracker.
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