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proteinFrom 6 months

Ribs

First taste
6 months
Choking risk
medium
Common allergen
no
Iron
high

Iron-rich · remove bone, gristle and fat

Gluten-freeMay contain porkContains meat

When can babies eat ribs?

When can babies have ribs?

Well-cooked ribs can be offered once baby is ready for solids, from about 6 months. Ribs are cuts of meat on the bone from the rib section of animals such as beef, lamb or pork. They can be grilled, slow-cooked or roasted.

Pork ribs

Many families do not eat pork. Choose beef or lamb ribs to suit your family.

Nutrition

Ribs are rich in protein and fat. They supply iron, choline, selenium, zinc and vitamins B6 and B12. A baby's iron needs rise after 6 months, and ribs are a good iron source.

How do you prepare ribs for babies?

Preparation basics

Cook the meat until it comes away from the bone. For young babies, serve boneless, finely shredded meat. If you wish, offer the stripped bone as a teether. Test beforehand that the bone does not break and has no sharp edges.

Spices and sauces are fine. But do not serve sauces with honey before 12 months because of the risk of infant botulism. Remember that sauces may contain common allergens such as soy or wheat.

Preparation by age

The same food is served differently at each age. What matters is how your baby sits, grasps and chews, more than the calendar.

6 months

6 months · Shredded meat in a mashmash

Cut: Finely chopped

Cook ribs until the meat comes away from the bone by itself. Separate the meat from bone, fat and gristle. Shred it or chop very finely. Stir into vegetable mash, porridge or another soft food. Spices and sauces are fine, but they must not contain honey.

6 months · Bone as a food teetherstrip

Cut: Large piece

Give a well-cooked rib bone with most or all of the meat removed for baby to hold. First bend the bone to confirm it is not brittle. Slide a finger along the edges and feel for sharp spots. Leave no loose meat, large pieces of fat or gristle. Little food reaches the stomach this way, which is fine. Do not serve a brittle bone.

9 months

9 months · Small flat shreds of meatcube

Cut: Bite sized piece

Tear small, thin shreds of meat from cooked ribs. Baby practices picking them up with the developing pincer grasp. If you offer the bone as a teether, repeat the same safety checks.

12 months

12 months · Biting practice with meat onstrip

Cut: Large piece

You can serve well-cooked ribs with the meat on. Remove loose fat, gristle and detached meat first. Your child practices biting and tearing. For children who hold meat in the mouth and spit it out, this is a good way to build chewing skill. Check that the bone is sturdy with smooth edges.

Is ribs a choking hazard for babies?

Choking risk: medium

Meat pulled from the bone can be small and hard to chew. Shred it finely and remove fat and gristle. Do not serve bones that are brittle or have sharp edges.

Choking risk

Meat pulled from the bone can be small and hard to chew, so it carries a choking risk. A bone with most of the meat removed carries a low risk when prepared for the child's age. Stay close during the meal.

Check the bone

Do not serve bones that are brittle, cracked or have sharp edges. Remove loose meat, fat and gristle.

Is ribs a common allergen?

Allergen status

Beef, lamb and pork are not common allergens, though allergy to them has been reported. Rib sauces may contain allergens such as soy and wheat.

Some tick bites are linked to allergy to a sugar found in mammal meat (alpha-gal). Symptoms begin 3 to 8 hours after eating red meat. Some people also react to small amounts in dairy, gelatin or organs such as liver. With a dairy allergy the chance of beef sensitivity rises slightly. In the rare pork-cat syndrome, a person with cat allergy may react to pork too. Start with a small amount.

Key nutrients

ProteinFatIronCholineSeleniumZincVitamin B6Vitamin B12

Frequently asked questions about ribs

Can a rib bone be used as a teether?

According to the source, a well-cooked bone that is not brittle and has no sharp edges can support holding and mouthing skills. Always bend-test it and check with a finger. If in doubt, skip it.

Can the sauce contain honey?

Do not serve honey sauces to babies under 12 months. There is a risk of infant botulism.

Are ribs good for iron?

Yes. Ribs are a good iron source, and a baby's iron needs rise after 6 months.

Sources for this page

  1. Wilson JM, Platts-Mills TAE. (2018). Meat allergy and allergens. Molecular Immunology. doi:10.1016/j.molimm.2018.03.018
  2. CDC. (n.d.). Alpha-gal Syndrome.
  3. American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org. (n.d.). Choking Prevention.

Guides on iron, allergen introduction, gagging and drinks. Read the starting solids guides

Medical note

This page is for information only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Talk to your pediatrician before any feeding decision, especially about allergen introduction and reactions.

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Astro Tasarım Simay Yenice · Türkiye · merhaba@lokmini.com