Tortilla
- First taste
- 6 months
- Choking risk
- low
- Common allergen
- yes
- Iron
- low
Corn from 6 months, wheat is an allergen
Contains allergens
Each new allergen is offered on its own and watched for two hours. Our allergen introduction guide is available in Turkish for now.
When can babies eat tortilla?
Soft corn tortillas can start when your baby is ready for solids, around 6 months. It is easier to wait on wheat tortillas until after the first birthday, because they get gummy and are hard to manage in the mouth.
Tortillas are a staple across the Americas. Traditionally they are an unleavened flatbread made from corn.
Tortillas supply carbohydrates for energy and, depending on the type, some fiber. Those made from nixtamalized corn contain resistant starch that feeds gut bacteria. Blue corn adds extra anthocyanins. Zinc and B vitamins may come from enriched wheat tortillas. Enrichment rules differ by country, so check the label.
How do you prepare tortilla for babies?
Keep it soft
Fresh tortilla can go straight to your baby. If it has dried and stiffened, steam it or soften it in warm broth. Tearing pieces into a saucy dish is another easy route.
Crunchy tortillas and chips have sharp edges and do not suit young children. Grain-free tortillas can be sticky or dry depending on the flour, so they are easier to try after 12 months.
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 · How to cut and serve for baby-led weaningstrip
Halve a soft corn tortilla, or slice it into long strips that are roughly two adult fingers wide. If it is fresh and pliable, offer it as is. If it has dried out, steam it or let it sit in warm broth until it softens. Tortillas are chewy, so your baby may swallow little, but holding and munching still builds chewing skills. You can also shred strips into spoonable dishes such as bean stew. Wheat tortillas can turn gummy, so warm them briefly in a pan if you offer them.
9 months
9 months · How to prepare as small piecescube
Cut: Bite sized piece
Once your baby starts using the thumb and forefinger to pick things up, cut soft corn tortilla into bite-sized pieces. Offer them alone or stir them into meals. You can serve them with broth, salsa or stew and dip some pieces in the sauce. Keep skipping crunchy tortillas and chips.
12 months
12 months · How to prepare for wraps and mealsslice
Cut: Halved
From this age you can try wheat, whole grain and grain-free tortillas too. Make cheese quesadillas, enchiladas or small tacos. Cut tacos and wraps in half. Many toddlers take them apart and eat the fillings separately, which is perfectly fine. Grain-free tortillas can be sticky or crumbly.
Is tortilla a choking hazard for babies?
Choking risk: low
Soft tortillas are low risk. Crunchy tortillas and chips have sharp edges and should wait until a child is much older.
Soft tortillas are low risk when prepared properly. Any food carries a small chance, so keep your baby seated and stay close during meals.
Chips and crunchy tortillas
Tortilla chips are hard with sharp edges. A child with mature chewing skills may try them between 18 months and 3 years. Experts still count chips as a choking risk until about age 4. Offer them only to a seated, supervised child, never on the move.
Is tortilla a common allergen?
It depends. Corn tortillas are not usually considered an allergen, but wheat is a common one. Wheat, or a mix of corn and wheat, goes into many tortillas. Gluten-free and grain-free types may contain milk, soy or tree nuts. Always read the label.
Wheat allergy is common in children, and about two thirds outgrow it by age 12. That differs from celiac disease, where the gluten-free diet has to last for life.
In rare cases corn sets off FPIES, a delayed allergy in which vomiting and diarrhea keep recurring some hours after the meal. Call your doctor if that happens.
First try
If you suspect a wheat allergy, talk to your pediatrician before offering wheat tortillas at home. With any new food, start with a small amount for the first few servings and watch for reactions.
Key nutrients
Frequently asked questions about tortilla
When can babies have tortillas?
Soft corn tortillas can start around 6 months. Wheat tortillas are easier to manage after the first birthday.
At what age are tortilla chips okay for kids?
Some children with mature chewing skills are ready around 18 months, others at 2 or 3 years. Chips count as a choking risk until about age 4. Offer them to a seated, supervised child in small amounts.
Are grain-free tortillas fine to serve?
Yes. They can be made from almond, cassava, cauliflower, chickpea, coconut, flaxseed or quinoa flour. They can be sticky or crumbly, so they suit children older than 12 months better. Read the label for allergens.
Are tortillas healthy for babies?
Yes. They provide carbohydrates for energy and, depending on the type, fiber, zinc and B vitamins. Nutrition varies with how they are made.
Sources for this page
- Kashyap RR, Kashyap RS. (2015). Kashyap R.R., Kashyap R.S., Journal of Allergy 2015, 543928. Journal of Allergy. doi:10.1155/2015/543928
- Feldweg AM. (2017). Food-Dependent, Exercise-Induced Anaphylaxis: Diagnosis and Management in the Outpatient Setting. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice. doi:10.1016/j.jaip.2016.11.022
- Blackman AC, Anvari S, Davis CM, Anagnostou A. (2019). Emerging triggers of food protein–induced enterocolitis syndrome. Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. doi:10.1016/j.anai.2019.01.022
- Mehr S, Campbell DE. (2019). Food protein‐induced enterocolitis syndrome: guidelines summary and practice recommendations. Medical Journal of Australia. doi:10.5694/mja2.12071
- CDC, Infant and Toddler Nutrition. (n.d.). Choking Hazards.
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