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When can babies have chicken stock?
Can babies have chicken stock?
Babies can have chicken stock from 6 months as a cooking liquid or a little in a cup. Homemade stock with no added salt, or a store-bought stock labeled unsalted or no salt added, is best. Regular stock and bouillon cubes are very high in sodium, so avoid them for babies.
How to serve chicken stock by age
Shapes and textures change as your baby’s grasp and chewing grow.
6 months
Use unsalted chicken stock to cook rice, lentils or vegetables, then blend them into smooth purees, or use it to thin purees. Use unsalted stock as a cooking liquid; keep your baby's drinks to breast milk or formula and small sips of water.
7–8 months
Keep using unsalted stock to cook grains, lentils and vegetables, and serve them as thicker, lumpier mashes or thick soups with soft, finely chopped pieces. Soft cooked vegetables from the stock pot that squash easily make good pieces to hold.
9–12 months
Keep using unsalted stock to cook grains, pasta and soups. Serve soups thick, or strain out pieces, so your baby can practice with a spoon or scoop soft solids by hand.
12 months +
Toddlers can have chicken stock in soups, stews and risotto. Low-sodium store-bought stock is fine now, but unsalted is still best until age 2.
Why it’s good
Chicken stock adds flavor and a little protein, minerals and collagen to your baby's food, especially when it is simmered from bones. It is mostly water, so it is not a main source of nutrients. Its real benefit is making grains, beans and vegetables taste good without salt.
Safety notes
- Avoid regular stock, broth and bouillon cubes for babies. Many have 500 mg or more of sodium per cup, more than a baby's entire recommended daily amount.
- Choose stock labeled unsalted or no salt added. Low-sodium or reduced-sodium versions can still have a fair amount of salt.
- Cool homemade stock quickly and refrigerate within 2 hours. Use it within 3 to 4 days or freeze it in ice cube trays for easy portions.
- Strain homemade stock carefully to remove all small bones and cartilage pieces.
- Check store-bought labels for onion, garlic, celery, wheat or soy if your baby has a known allergy or sensitivity.
A low-allergy food, still worth watching
Chicken stock is not a common allergen, though rare chicken allergies exist. Some store-bought stocks contain celery, wheat or soy, so check the ingredients before serving.
Chicken stock for babies: questions parents ask
Quick answers about chicken stock for babies and toddlers.
When can babies have chicken stock?
Babies can have chicken stock from about 6 months as long as it has no added salt. Chicken stock works well as a cooking liquid for grains, beans and vegetables.
Can babies drink chicken stock?
Yes, babies can have a few sips of cooled, unsalted chicken stock from an open cup. Chicken stock should not replace breast milk or formula, which remain the main drink in the first year.
Is chicken stock a choking hazard for babies?
Chicken stock is not a choking hazard because it is a liquid. Strain homemade chicken stock well to remove bone fragments, and serve soups with soft pieces cut to a safe size.
Is chicken stock a common allergen?
Chicken stock is not a common allergen. Some store-bought chicken stocks contain wheat, soy or celery, so read the label if your baby has allergies.
How do I serve chicken stock to a 6 month old?
To serve chicken stock to a 6 month old, use unsalted stock to cook rice, lentils or vegetables, or to loosen a puree. A few sips of cooled stock in an open cup are fine too.
Can babies have store-bought chicken stock?
Babies can have store-bought chicken stock if it is labeled unsalted or no salt added. Regular chicken stock and bouillon cubes are too high in sodium for babies.
What is the difference between chicken stock and chicken broth?
Chicken stock is usually made from bones and is richer, while chicken broth is usually made from meat and is lighter. Either works for babies as long as it is unsalted.
Is bone broth good for babies?
Bone broth is a fine cooking liquid for babies when it is unsalted, but it is not a superfood or a medicine. Babies get more nutrition from eating the chicken, beans and vegetables themselves.
The takeaway
- Babies can have chicken stock from 6 months as a cooking liquid or a little in a cup.
- Use unsalted chicken stock to cook rice, lentils or vegetables, then blend them into smooth purees, or use it to thin purees.
- Choking risk is low. Not a Top 9 allergen, but offer a small amount first and watch for any reaction.
Read next
Sources
This guide follows current advice from these organizations.
- Starting Solid Foods American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org)
- When, What, and How to Introduce Solid Foods Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Choking Hazards Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Recommended Drinks for Young Children Ages 0-5 American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org)
- Foods and Drinks to Avoid or Limit Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Updated November 2026. Reviewed by our dietitians. Based on AAP, CDC and NIAID guidance. Written for healthy, full-term babies; not a substitute for your pediatrician. If your baby was born early, has a medical condition, feeding difficulties or a known allergy, check with them first (medical disclaimer). Always stay with your baby while they eat.