Is Bone Broth Safe for Babies?
If you're starting your baby's weaning journey, you may have come across bone broth as a traditional food that many families enjoy. But naturally, parents want to know:
Is bone broth safe for babies?
The short answer is yes, provided it is introduced at the appropriate age and prepared safely.
Bone broth should never replace breast milk or infant formula during the first year, but after around 6 months of age, it can be used as part of a varied weaning diet alongside other foods. [1]
When Can Babies Have Bone Broth?
Current NHS guidance recommends introducing solid foods at around 6 months of age, when babies are developmentally ready to begin weaning. Breast milk or infant formula should remain their main source of nutrition throughout the first year.
Bone broth is best viewed as:
- an ingredient - it can be added to formula milk
- a cooking liquid
- a flavourful addition to meals
rather than a complete food on its own.
Is Bone Broth Good for Babies?
Bone broth contains naturally occurring:
- protein
- collagen
- gelatin
- amino acids
- minerals in small amounts
The exact nutritional profile varies depending on how it is made.
While bone broth can be included as part of a balanced diet, it should not be relied upon as a major source of nutrition. Babies need a wide variety of foods during weaning, including vegetables, fruit, grains, dairy (where appropriate), meat, fish, eggs and pulses.
How Can Babies Eat Bone Broth?
Many parents simply use bone broth in cooking rather than serving it on its own. However, you can also add our bone broth powder (dehydrated) to 1/3 of a teaspoon to your baby formula, then add the hot water. Shake the bottle with the lid on to dissolve, the formula and the broth together.
Some other easy ideas include:
- Stirring a small amount into vegetable purées
- Cooking rice in broth
- Making soups
- Cooking lentils
- Adding to mashed vegetables
- Mixing into casseroles as your baby grows
This introduces new flavours while keeping meals soft and suitable for your baby's stage of development.
What Should Parents Avoid?
Can Babies Drink Bone Broth?
Bone broth can be offered in small amounts once babies are eating solids.
However, it should not replace breast milk or infant formula, which continue to provide most of a baby's nutrition throughout the first year.
Many parents find it more useful to cook with bone broth rather than offering it as a drink.
Is Homemade or Shop-Bought Bone Broth Better?
Either can be suitable, provided it is:
- low in salt
- made from simple ingredients
- prepared hygienically
- appropriate for babies
If buying ready-made broth, always check the ingredients and nutrition information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a 6-month-old have bone broth?
Yes. Once your baby has started weaning at around 6 months, small amounts of bone broth can be used in cooking or mixed into foods alongside a varied diet.
Does bone broth replace milk?
No.
Breast milk or infant formula should remain your baby's primary source of nutrition throughout the first year. Bone broth is simply another food that can be included alongside other meals.
Should bone broth contain salt?
Ideally not.
Choose a broth without added salt when preparing meals for babies.
Can I cook baby food with bone broth?
Yes.
Many parents use bone broth when cooking vegetables, soups, lentils, rice or other family meals suitable for weaning.
Final Thoughts
Bone broth can be a useful addition to family cooking once your baby begins weaning at around six months of age. Used as part of a varied, balanced diet and prepared without added salt, it can add flavour to homemade meals while helping introduce babies to a wider range of foods.
As with any new food, introduce it gradually and continue following current NHS guidance on complementary feeding.