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Black beans for babies

How to serve it at 6, 9 and 12 months.

The CDC lists beans among vegetables for babies 6 to 12 months, and its choking list names whole beans as a hazard, so mash them. A choking hazard on the CDC's list. Not a major allergen. At about 6 months: Cook until very soft and mash or puree; no whole beans.

Checked October 29, 2026.

How to serve black beans at 6, 9 and 12 months

Serving black beans, following the CDC and AAP texture and choking guidance
AgeHow to serve it
About 6 monthsCook until very soft and mash or puree; no whole beans.
About 9 monthsMash them, or lightly crush each bean.
About 12 monthsMashed or crushed; whole beans stay on the CDC's choking list.

Every baby is different. Start the same way for every food: your baby sits up, you are right there, and the pieces match what they can do.

Is black beans a choking hazard?

It is named on the CDC's choking list. The AAP says to cut food for infants and young children into pieces no larger than one-half inch, to have children sit while they eat, and to watch every meal.

Is black beans an allergen?

It is not one of the nine major food allergens the FDA names.

Even so, try one new single-ingredient food at a time, so you can tell what a food does (CDC).

Where this comes from

Named by: CDC: Foods and Drinks to Encourage; CDC: Choking Hazards. The serving steps follow the CDC's texture advice and the AAP's finger-food and choking pages.

Call your pediatrician if…

Your pediatrician knows your child. Call them if you have a worry about a food, a reaction or choking. The AAP and the CDC have more:

Peabody editors write these pages from the sources below. We are not doctors, and this is not medical advice for your child.

Sources