HeySolids
Choking risk
Strained broth is a low choking risk as a smooth liquid, though stray bone fragments are the thing to catch.
Strain it through a fine strainer so no small bones remain, and prep anything you cook in it to suit baby's age. See how to serve for age-by-age prep.
Allergens
Plain bone broth is not a common food allergen, so a true allergy to it is rare.[1]
Broths often pick up onion, garlic, celery, or herbs from the pot, so check what went in and read the label on any store product. Start with a small amount and watch for a reaction.
Food safety
Salt is the thing to get right. Babies should have no added salt in the first 12 months, kept low after that - and stock cubes, ready-made stocks, and most jarred bone broths are high in it. Make your own with no added salt, or leave salty broth out of baby's portion.[2]
Homemade broth is also perishable - cool it quickly, refrigerate within 2 hours, and use it within 3 to 4 days, or freeze it in small portions. Bring stored broth back to a full boil before using it in baby's food.
How to serve
6+ months old
No-salt broth stirred into food
A small splash to loosen puree or mash
Use homemade no-salt broth as the liquid that softens baby's food - stir a little into a thick puree or mash, or use it to cook soft vegetables. Skip salty stock cubes and jarred stocks, and don't offer broth on its own as a drink: baby's drinks are milk and water, and broth is for cooking.
How to prepare
Simmer bones in water with no salt for several hours, then strain through a fine-mesh sieve so no small bones remain. Cool it quickly, refrigerate within 2 hours, and freeze any extra in small portions.
12+ months old
Low-salt broth in family cooking
A cooking liquid across family meals
Broth can now be the base for soups, stews, risottos, and rice dishes across family cooking. Salt stays low after 12 months, so keep using a homemade no-salt broth as the base and season the grown-ups' bowls at the table instead.
How to prepare
Simmer bones in water with no salt for several hours, then strain through a fine-mesh sieve so no small bones remain. Bring stored broth back to a full boil before using it in your toddler's food, then cool a little before serving.