Quick answer
Most babies are ready for solids, including butternut squash, around 6 months of age, once they show clear readiness signs: they can sit up with little or no support, hold their head steady, reach for and bring food to their mouth, and have lost the early tongue-thrust reflex that pushes food back out.
When can babies eat butternut squash?
Most babies are ready for solids, including butternut squash, around 6 months of age, once they show clear readiness signs: they can sit up with little or no support, hold their head steady, reach for and bring food to their mouth, and have lost the early tongue-thrust reflex that pushes food back out.
Butternut squash is not a common allergen, so there is no need to delay it. As with any new food, offer it on its own for a few days so you can watch how your baby responds, and always serve it cooked until soft, never raw or firm.
See our first foods for baby guide for more ideas.
Safety Tips
- ✓Always cook butternut squash until it is very soft and easily squashed between your fingers; never serve it raw or firm.
- ✓Match the size and shape to your baby's age: long soft batons at 6 months, small soft pieces from 9 months on.
- ✓Always supervise your baby during meals, keep them sitting upright, and never let them eat while crawling, walking, or in a car seat.
- ✓Introduce butternut squash on its own for a few days and watch for any reaction, even though it is not a common allergen.
Select Baby's Age
How to cut butternut squash for a 6 month old
At 6 months, babies grab food with a whole-hand (palmar) grasp, so offer pieces long enough to stick out the top of a closed fist. Peel and de-seed the squash, then cut it into thick finger-length batons about 8 to 10 cm long and 1.5 to 2 cm wide, or use long wedges. Roast or steam them until they are very soft and yield easily when you press with gentle finger pressure, like a ripe avocado. The piece should be soft enough to squish but firm enough to hold its shape so your baby can pick it up and gnaw on it. Avoid small cubes, coins, or bite-size chunks at this stage, since round or small firm pieces are a choking hazard, and skip any undercooked or fibrous sections near the skin.
6 month baby feeding schedule for more tips.
Butternut Squash recipe ideas for babies
Once your baby is comfortable with plain squash, try these simple, baby-friendly ways to serve it. See our baby recipes.
- ★Roasted butternut squash batons tossed lightly in olive oil and a pinch of cinnamon
- ★Smooth butternut squash puree blended with a splash of breast milk or formula
- ★Mashed butternut squash mixed with soft cooked lentils for an iron and protein boost
- ★Butternut squash and oat baby pancakes, cut into soft strips for little hands
Explore our baby-led weaning food list and first foods for baby for more inspiration.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can babies eat butternut squash?
Most babies can eat butternut squash from around 6 months when starting solids. Always serve it in a safe size and texture appropriate for your baby's age and development.
How do you cut butternut squash for baby led weaning?
For babies around 6 months, butternut squash should be cut into large pieces that are easy to grasp with their hands. As babies develop their chewing skills, the pieces can gradually become smaller.
How to serve butternut squash baby led weaning?
For BLW, cut butternut squash into strips or wedges that babies can hold. The texture should be soft enough to mash easily with gentle pressure.
Can babies choke on butternut squash?
butternut squash can become a choking hazard if served in small round or hard pieces. Cutting it into larger soft pieces appropriate for baby-led weaning helps reduce choking risk.
How should butternut squash be served to a 6 month old?
At around 6 months, butternut squash should be served in large soft pieces that babies can hold with their hands. See our full ingredient guide.
Is butternut squash safe for baby led weaning?
butternut squash can be included in baby-led weaning when cut into safe shapes and soft textures that babies can hold and gum.
How small should butternut squash be cut for older babies?
From around 9 months, babies typically use a pincer grasp, so butternut squash can be cut into smaller pea-sized pieces. Continue ensuring pieces are soft enough to mash and watch for any choking risk shapes.
Should butternut squash be cooked or raw for babies?
Cook butternut squash until easily mashable when raw textures are too firm for babies to gum. Soft ripe fruits are often offered raw, while firmer foods are typically steamed, roasted, or boiled until tender.
Can butternut squash be served as a finger food at 6 months?
Yes, butternut squash can be a 6-month finger food when cut into long graspable strips and softened to a mashable texture. Always supervise meals and adjust shape as your baby's chewing skills develop.
How to cut butternut squash for a 7 month old?
At 7 months babies still use a palmar (whole-hand) grasp. Cut butternut squash into long strips about 2-3 inches long and finger-width thick, with part sticking out of the fist for chewing. Soft enough to mash between two fingers.
How to cut butternut squash for an 8 month old?
At 8 months babies are refining grasp and may begin pincering. Continue offering butternut squash in 2-inch strips alongside a few small pea-sized pieces to practice the pincer grasp. Cooked until easily mashable.
How to cut butternut squash for a 9 month old?
At 9 months most babies have developed the pincer grasp. Cut butternut squash into pea-sized pieces (about ½ inch / 1.5 cm) for self-feeding practice. Continue avoiding round, hard, or sticky shapes; soft enough to mash with mild pressure.
How to cut butternut squash for a 10 month old?
At 10 months babies eat a wider variety of textures. Offer butternut squash in pea-sized pieces or small bite-sized cubes (½ inch / 1.5 cm). They can manage slightly firmer textures, but pieces should still mash easily.
How to cut butternut squash for a 12 month old?
From 12 months babies eat in pieces about ½ inch (1.5 cm). Round foods (grapes, cherry tomatoes) must still be quartered until age 4 due to choking risk. Soft enough to chew without much molar work.
Can babies eat butternut squash for breakfast?
Yes — butternut squash can be part of a balanced baby breakfast when prepared in baby-safe shapes. Pair with a protein, healthy fat, or whole grain (eggs, yogurt, oats, nut butter on toast) for a complete morning meal.
verifiedSources & References
This guide is informed by current guidelines from leading health organizations:
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