No. 66 · Veggies Passport food
When can babies have tomatoes?
Can babies have tomatoes?
Babies can have tomatoes from about 6 months, as soon as they are ready for solids. Start with ripe or cooked tomato mashed or pureed on a spoon, then offer soft wedges and flattened quartered cherry tomatoes from 7–8 months. Whole cherry and grape tomatoes are a choking hazard and must always be cut into quarters. Tomato's acidity can cause a harmless red rash around the mouth.
How to serve tomatoes by age
Shapes and textures change as your baby’s grasp and chewing grow.
6 months
Peel ripe tomatoes, or cook them until soft, then mash or blend them into a smooth puree, pressing it through a sieve to remove seeds and skin if you like. Offer it on a spoon, or stir a little homemade low-sodium tomato sauce into smooth lentil or vegetable puree.
7–8 months
Offer large, ripe tomato wedges with the skin on for grip, or quarter cherry tomatoes lengthwise and gently flatten each piece. Fork-mashed tomato or a little low-sodium tomato sauce stirred into lentils or soft pasta also works.
9–12 months
Cut ripe tomatoes into small, soft pieces and always quarter cherry and grape tomatoes lengthwise. Babies this age enjoy diced tomato mixed into eggs, beans or grains.
12 months +
Toddlers can eat chopped tomatoes, tomato sauces and soups with family meals. Keep quartering cherry and grape tomatoes until at least age 4, as recommended for other small round foods.
Why it’s good
Tomatoes give babies vitamin C, which helps the body absorb iron from beans, lentils and grains, plus vitamin A, potassium and folate. Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, an antioxidant that the body absorbs best when tomatoes are cooked with a little fat like olive oil.
Safety notes
- Whole cherry and grape tomatoes are round, firm-skinned and the perfect size to block a child's airway. Always cut them into quarters lengthwise.
- Choose ripe, soft tomatoes. Firm, underripe tomatoes are harder to manage and can come off in chunks.
- Store-bought tomato sauces, ketchup, salsa and canned tomatoes can be high in sodium and sugar. Pick no-salt-added canned tomatoes and make simple sauces at home.
- Tomato skins can feel tough to some babies. If your baby gags on skins, peel or cook the tomato.
- Wash tomatoes well under running water before cutting.
A low-allergy food, still worth watching
Tomatoes are not a common allergen, though true tomato allergy is possible, sometimes alongside pollen allergies. A red rash only where tomato touched the skin is usually irritation from the acid, while hives that spread, swelling, vomiting or breathing trouble need prompt medical attention.
Tomatoes for babies: questions parents ask
Quick answers about tomatoes for babies and toddlers.
When can babies have tomatoes?
Babies can have tomatoes from about 6 months, as soon as they are ready for solids. Smooth tomato puree or simple cooked tomato sauce stirred into other foods is a good way to start, with ripe wedges and flattened quartered cherry tomatoes from 7–8 months.
Can babies have tomatoes?
Yes, babies can eat tomatoes from 6 months, either raw and ripe or cooked. Tomatoes add flavor and vitamin C, which helps babies absorb iron from plant foods.
Are tomatoes a choking hazard for babies?
Tomatoes are a medium choking risk, and whole cherry and grape tomatoes are a known choking hazard for babies and young children. Always quarter small tomatoes lengthwise, serve large tomatoes ripe and soft, and stay with your baby while they eat.
Are tomatoes a common allergen?
No, tomatoes are not a common allergen. Tomato allergy is uncommon, and most redness after eating tomatoes is mild skin irritation from the acid rather than an allergy.
How do I serve tomatoes to a 6 month old?
To serve tomatoes to a 6 month old, peel a ripe tomato or cook it until soft, then mash or blend it smooth and offer it on a spoon. You can also stir a little homemade tomato sauce into lentil or vegetable puree. Ripe wedges and flattened cherry tomato quarters can follow at 7–8 months.
Why does my baby get a rash around the mouth from tomatoes?
A rash around the mouth after tomatoes is usually contact irritation from the fruit's natural acid, and it tends to fade within an hour or so. Wipe your baby's face after meals and a thin layer of barrier cream beforehand can help, but call your pediatrician if hives spread or your baby has swelling, vomiting or trouble breathing.
How do I cut cherry tomatoes for a baby?
To cut cherry tomatoes for a baby, slice each one lengthwise into quarters so no round piece remains. For babies under about 9 months, press the quarters flat, and keep quartering cherry tomatoes for toddlers and preschoolers too.
Can babies have tomato sauce?
Babies can have tomato sauce from 6 months if it is low in sodium and has no added sugar. Homemade sauce from no-salt-added canned tomatoes and olive oil is ideal, and jarred pasta sauce and ketchup are best kept small and occasional.
Can tomatoes cause diaper rash?
Tomatoes and other acidic foods can make some babies' poop more acidic and lead to a mild diaper rash. Diaper rash from tomatoes usually settles with frequent changes and barrier cream, and you do not need to stop offering tomatoes unless your pediatrician advises it.
Are tomatoes good for toddlers?
Yes, tomatoes are a good food for toddlers 12 months and older, offering vitamin C, vitamin A, potassium and lycopene. Serve chopped tomatoes, sauces and soups with family meals, and keep quartering cherry and grape tomatoes lengthwise until at least age 4.
The takeaway
- Babies can have tomatoes from about 6 months, as soon as they are ready for solids.
- Peel ripe tomatoes, or cook them until soft, then mash or blend them into a smooth puree, pressing it through a sieve to remove seeds and skin if you like.
- Choking risk is medium. 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
- Choking Prevention 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.