Allergen note
Tomato allergy is uncommon in young children. When tomatoes join the menu from 12 months, expect some redness where the juice touches the chin and cheeks, a common skin reaction to the acid that usually fades within an hour; hives, swelling or vomiting need medical advice.
How to serve
From 12 months, offer ripe tomato in thin wedges or small pieces, or cooked into sauces, soups and stews. Always cut cherry and grape tomatoes into quarters lengthwise. Peel larger tomatoes if your toddler struggles with the skin.
Preparation
Wash well and choose ripe, soft tomatoes. To peel, score the skin, dip the tomato in boiling water for about 30 seconds, then cool it and slip the skin off. Chop, or simmer into a sauce with no salt or sugar; the seeds can stay in.
Texture and choking risk
Whole cherry and grape tomatoes are round and slippery and can block a child's airway, so quarter them lengthwise for children under 5. Thin, loose skins can also stick in the mouth and cause gagging; peel or cook them, and supervise every meal.
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 tomatoes, note any reaction and see it in the allergen tracker.
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