Acorn squash is the perfect winter squash that is rich in nutrition, including vitamins, minerals, and more. Therefore, it makes sense that many parents wonder if you can give your baby acorn squash.
Acorn squash is safe for your baby, starting at four to six months old. However, it should be prepared in the appropriate consistency and texture for their age.
In this article, we will discuss more about the appropriate consistencies of acorn squash when your baby is at different ages, the nutritional benefits of acorn squash, baby-led weaning, and more.
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When Can Babies Eat Acorn Squash?
Acorn squash is a safe and nutritious option for your baby when they are at least four months old. It can be easily cooked (likely steamed) until soft, cooled, then pureed to the appropriate texture for your baby.
At four to six months old, your baby can have a tablespoon or two of pureed acorn squash that is more of a watery consistency (source: Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia).
To achieve a thin and watery consistency, you can add breast milk or infant formula to the acorn squash puree. Once your baby reaches six to nine months, they can increase to two to four tablespoons per feeding and have a thicker consistency puree, more like mashed potatoes.
Finally, your baby is likely ready to have finger foods at ten months old. Therefore, you can cut up the soft acorn squash into small bite-sized pieces that your baby can easily chew and swallow.
Let’s summarize this information in table format!
| Age in months | Can your baby have acorn squash? |
| 6 | Yes, pureed with a thin and watery consistency. |
| 7 | Yes, thicker consistency like mashed potatoes. |
| 8 | Yes, thicker consistency like mashed potatoes. |
| 9 | Yes, thicker consistency like mashed potatoes. |
| 10 | Yes, steamed, cooled, then cut up into small pieces. |
| 11 | Yes, steamed, cooled, then cut up into small pieces. |
| 12 | Yes, steamed, cooled, then cut up into small pieces. |
What Are The Benefits of Acorn Squash for Babies?
Acorn squash is a nutritious fruit rich in dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals, such as vitamin A and vitamin C (source: United States Department of Agriculture [USDA]).
Vitamin A is essential for your baby’s vision, growth, immunity, and much more. Vitamin A is also an antioxidant that helps protect cells in your baby’s body from the harmful effects of free radicals (source: Mayo Clinic). Free radicals can contribute to inflammation and oxidative stress in the body.
Acorn squash is also rich in fiber which can improve your baby’s digestive health, reduce symptoms of constipation, and even improve blood sugar levels (source: Mayo Clinic).
Finally, acorn squash is a great source of vitamin C. Vitamin C also has antioxidant properties. Additionally, it functions in immune system support to keep your baby healthy!
Baby-Led Weaning or Finger Food with Acorn Squash
If you are looking to feed your baby with baby-led weaning or give them finger foods, make sure the acorn squash is steamed well so that it is very soft for your baby. However, the acorn squash must be firm enough to be picked up easily. Make the pieces small and bite-sized to reduce the risk of choking.
Overall, I hope this article was helpful in discussing acorn squash and how to feed it to your baby safely.
| This article has been reviewed and approved for publication in line with our editorial policy. |