Potato

Potato can be offered once baby is ready for solids, around 6 months.

Potato is native to South America. Today it is a staple food worldwide. There are thousands of varieties, each with its own color, shape and taste.

Nutrition

Potato is a strong energy source for a growing baby. Folate, iron, zinc, and vitamin B6 are in it. It also brings vitamin C and choline, which matters for brain development. The resistant starch in potato helps friendly gut bacteria grow.

Cook the potato through. Boiling or baking works. It should squash easily between two fingers.

At 6 months baby can handle thick wedges or purée. From 9 months baby practices on small cubes. Mashed potato holds foods that are tricky to scoop, and it keeps things less messy.

Sprouted potatoes

Throw out sprouted potatoes. Peel or carve out any green or dark "eyes". Sprouted potatoes hold more solanine, a natural toxin that is harmful in large amounts. Cooking at high heat cuts the solanine level notably.

Cooked potato is low risk when prepared to suit the child's age. In theory any food can cause choking.

Cook the potato through and cut it for the age. If you give a whole potato, make it clearly larger than baby's mouth yet small enough for baby to hold. Stay beside baby during meals.

Potato is not a common allergen. Potato allergy is uncommon but known. Potato may affect babies with eczema or other food allergies more easily. People with oral allergy syndrome may react, mainly if they eat the skin or the potato is raw or undercooked. Those allergic to birch, grass and mugwort pollen are more sensitive. This syndrome gives brief mouth itching.

A severe reaction (anaphylaxis) to cooked potato is rare. There are isolated reports of hives or rash after touching raw potato. Some people with natural rubber latex allergy develop a cross-allergy to potato.

Give a small amount at the first servings. If there is no reaction, raise it slowly.