How to serve, by age
6–8 mo
Cook until fully soft and translucent, then purée or mince very fine into other foods.
9–11 mo
Cooked soft and finely chopped, folded into noodles, porridge or egg.
12 mo+
Soft cooked chopped onion, and rings stewed until soft, in family dishes.
Choking risk: Low
Raw onion is crisp, hard and sharp — no raw onion at this stage. Cook it down until translucent, fully tender and bite-sized.
If choking ever happens: act immediately — call emergency services (911 in the US) and seek emergency care. Do not wait.
Allergens
Onion is not among the eight most common food allergens (milk, egg, peanut, tree nuts, soy, wheat, fish, shellfish). Any food can cause a reaction in principle — introduce new foods one at a time, during the day, and watch your baby.
Common questions
- Onion is 'spicy' — will my baby accept it?
- Raw onion is irritating; thoroughly cooked onion is sweet with no heat at all. The whole trick is cooking time.
Practical tips
- Onion, tomato and beef cooked together — a natural umami trio.
- Chill the onion before cutting; fewer tears.
Sources
This page is general guidance assembled from the public sources above. It is not medical advice. For questions about your baby — including allergies, prematurity and any health condition — ask your pediatrician. See our medical disclaimer.