How to Prepare Prunes for Baby
Last updated October 2026
Prunes are dried plums. Babies ready for solids, usually around six months, may try thoroughly softened prune purée or mash. Whole dried prunes are chewy and sticky, so check each prune for pits or hard fragments and cook until soft before serving.
Prunes contain fibre and sorbitol and may change stools, but they are not a guaranteed constipation treatment. Do not rely on a universal teaspoon dose, age-based size or whole chewy fruit. If constipation persists or your baby has concerning symptoms, seek advice from a healthcare professional.
Quick answer
Once ready for complementary feeding from around six months, offer fully softened, pitted prunes as a moist mash or purée. The aim is a texture your baby can handle, not a prescribed dose for a bowel movement.
Select Baby's Age
6–8 months
Beginning solids: smooth cooked prune purée
Even packaged pitted prunes can contain a stone fragment, so inspect each one. Simmer the fruit in water until very soft, cool and blend with enough liquid to make a smooth moist purée. Offer by spoon or mix with a familiar soft food. Do not offer a whole dried prune, firm chunk or sticky lump to a beginning eater.
6 month baby feeding schedule for more tips.
9–11 months
Developing grasp: moist mash or finely chopped softened fruit
Check for pits, simmer until soft, then mash evenly into porridge or a vegetable-and-fruit dish. If your baby manages more texture, finely chopped softened prune can be mixed into a moist food without leaving chewy sticky clumps. A pea-sized piece is not automatically safe; use the food's softness and the child's eating skills to decide.
12+ months
Toddlers: softened fruit in manageable textures
Continue checking for stone fragments and soften dried prunes before mashing or finely chopping for oats, yogurt or soft baked dishes. A first birthday does not make a sticky whole prune suitable. Offer dried fruit as part of meals rather than frequent sticky snacks between meals for dental health, and supervise seated eating.
When can babies have prunes?
Prunes may affect stools, but persistent constipation, blood in stool, repeated vomiting or feeding problems merit clinical assessment. Keep a varied diet with iron-rich foods rather than using prunes to displace regular meals.
See our first foods for baby guide for more ideas.
Prune recipe ideas for babies
Ways to use thoroughly softened prunes, not measured constipation treatments or kitchen-tested recipes.
- Soft cooked prune purée stirred into unsweetened oatmeal
- Moist prune mash mixed with plain yogurt (milk allergen)
- Fully softened prune and pear purée
- Thin prune purée on manageable soft toast (wheat allergen)
Explore our baby-led weaning food list and first foods for baby for more inspiration.
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View all feeding guidesFrequently Asked Questions
Can babies eat whole pitted prunes?
Whole dried prunes can remain firm and sticky even without a pit. Cook until soft, then mash or purée for an early eater.
Do prunes always relieve infant constipation?
No. They contain fibre and sorbitol, but are not a proven remedy for every child. Consult a clinician for persistent or concerning symptoms.
Must I check prunes labelled pitted?
Yes. Inspect the dried fruit for stones or fragments before soaking or cooking.
Can toddlers eat whole dried prunes?
A first birthday does not make sticky chewy fruit harmless. Offer softened manageable portions, avoid whole sticky pieces and supervise meals.
Sources & References
This guide is informed by current guidelines from leading health organizations:
- ●NHS - Preparing Food Safely for Babies NHS
- ●NHS - Your Baby's First Solid Foods NHS
- ●NHS - Foods to Avoid Giving Babies NHS
- ●CDC — Choking Hazards (reviewed March 2026) CDC
