Ketchup
Usually introduced around 6 months
Prep warning
Most ketchup is high in added salt and sugar, so it's offered in small amounts and not as a regular part of meals. Choosing a low-salt, no-added-sugar version, or making a simple tomato sauce at home, keeps both down.
How to serve by age
6-9 months
Ketchup is a condiment rather than a food in its own right, and most kinds are high in added salt and sugar. At this age, food is usually kept plain so a baby learns the natural taste of it. If any is used, the smallest smear of a low-salt, no-added-sugar version stirred into a dish is the gentle way.
A tiny amount stirred through food, not a pool to dip into. There is no piece to cut.
9-12 months
Ketchup stays a once-in-a-while flavor, kept small because of its salt and sugar. A low-salt, no-added-sugar version mixed lightly into a meal is the simplest way if it's offered at all.
A small amount mixed into the meal. No piece to cut.
12-18 months
Ketchup can be part of a toddler's plate as an occasional flavor, still kept modest because of the added salt and sugar. Low-salt, no-added-sugar versions, or a quick homemade tomato sauce, give the same idea with far less of both.
A small serving alongside or mixed into food. No piece to cut.
Common questions
When can my baby eat Ketchup?
Most babies can try Ketchup from around 6 months, once they show signs of readiness. Check the prep and cut-size notes above before you start.
General informational content, not medical advice. Always consult your pediatrician about introducing new foods, especially if your baby has any medical conditions or family history of allergies.
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