Veggies Food Library
When can babies have rhubarb?
Can babies have rhubarb?
Babies can have cooked rhubarb stalks from about 6 months, in small amounts. Rhubarb leaves are poisonous and must never be eaten, so trim them off completely. Rhubarb is very sour and high in oxalates, so serve it as an occasional food mixed with sweeter fruit rather than with added sugar.
How to serve rhubarb by age
Shapes and textures change as your baby’s grasp and chewing grow.
6 months
Trim off every bit of leaf, wash the stalks and simmer chopped rhubarb with apple, pear or strawberries until very soft. Blend or mash it smooth and serve a small amount on a spoon or swirled into plain yogurt or oatmeal, with no added sugar.
7–8 months
Stew rhubarb with sweeter fruit until soft and mash it roughly for a lumpier texture, then stir it into yogurt or oatmeal or spread a thin layer on a soft toast strip. Keep portions small because of its acidity and oxalates.
9–12 months
Offer soft stewed rhubarb mixed into yogurt, porridge or spread on toast. Keep portions small, a spoonful or two, because of its acidity and oxalates.
12 months +
Toddlers can have stewed rhubarb with fruit, or in homemade crumbles and muffins with little added sugar. If your toddler tries raw rhubarb, slice it paper thin, since raw stalks are firm and stringy.
Why it’s good
Rhubarb gives babies vitamin K, vitamin C, fiber and some calcium, potassium and antioxidants. Much of the calcium is bound to oxalates, so the body cannot absorb it well. Rhubarb's tart flavor helps babies get used to sour tastes.
Safety notes
- Never serve rhubarb leaves. They contain high levels of oxalic acid and other compounds that are toxic. Cut off all leaves and the base before cooking.
- Rhubarb stalks are high in oxalates. Serve them in small amounts as an occasional food, and talk to your pediatrician first if your child has kidney problems.
- Avoid added sugar before age 2. Sweeten rhubarb with naturally sweet fruit like apple, pear, banana or strawberries.
- Raw rhubarb is firm and stringy. Cook it until soft for babies, and slice raw pieces very thin for toddlers.
- Rhubarb is acidic and may cause a red rash around the mouth or diaper rash in some babies.
A low-allergy food, still worth watching
Rhubarb is not a common allergen, and reactions are rare. Start with a small amount and watch for hives, swelling or vomiting; redness around the mouth from acid is usually not an allergy.
Rhubarb for babies: questions parents ask
Quick answers about rhubarb for babies and toddlers.
When can babies have rhubarb?
Babies can have cooked rhubarb stalks from about 6 months of age, in small amounts. Rhubarb leaves are toxic and should always be removed before cooking.
Can babies have rhubarb?
Yes, babies can eat rhubarb stalks that are cooked until soft. Rhubarb is very tart and high in oxalates, so serve it occasionally and mix it with sweeter fruits.
Is rhubarb a choking hazard for babies?
Cooked rhubarb is a low choking risk because it becomes soft and mushy. Raw rhubarb is firm and stringy and can be a choking hazard, so cook it for babies and slice raw rhubarb very thin for toddlers.
Is rhubarb a common allergen?
No, rhubarb is not a common allergen. Rhubarb's acidity can cause redness around the mouth, which is usually skin irritation rather than an allergic reaction.
How do I serve rhubarb to a 6 month old?
To serve rhubarb to a 6 month old, trim off all leaves, chop the stalks and simmer them with apple or pear until very soft. Mash the rhubarb mixture and serve a small amount on a spoon or swirled into plain yogurt.
Are rhubarb leaves poisonous?
Yes, rhubarb leaves are poisonous and should never be eaten by babies, children or adults. Rhubarb leaves contain high levels of oxalic acid, so cut them off and discard them before cooking the stalks.
Does it matter if rhubarb is green or red?
No, green and red rhubarb stalks are both safe for babies once cooked. Color depends on the variety, and red stalks are often slightly sweeter, but both can be served the same way.
How do I sweeten rhubarb for a baby without sugar?
To sweeten rhubarb for a baby without sugar, cook rhubarb with apples, pears, strawberries or ripe banana. Rhubarb mixed with about two to three times as much sweet fruit is usually mild enough for babies.
Can babies have rhubarb pie or crumble?
Rhubarb pie and crumble usually contain a lot of added sugar, so they are best avoided before age 2. A homemade rhubarb crumble sweetened with fruit and topped with oats is a better option for toddlers.
The takeaway
- Babies can have cooked rhubarb stalks from about 6 months, in small amounts.
- Trim off every bit of leaf, wash the stalks and simmer chopped rhubarb with apple, pear or strawberries until very soft.
- 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
- Foods and Drinks to Avoid or Limit Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025 U.S. Department of Agriculture and HHS
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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.