Butternut Squash for Babies: How to Serve It at Every Age

• From around 6 months
• Not a common allergen
• Cook until very soft

Butternut squash is a classic first food from around 6 months: mild, slightly sweet and rich in vitamin A. Peel it, scoop out the seeds and steam or roast it until a piece squashes easily between your fingers.

📲 15 Bibful recipes with butternut squash

How to serve it by age

1. 6–8 months

   ✋ Finger food (BLW)

   Offer large, thick wedges of soft cooked squash with the skin removed, about the size of an adult finger.

   🥣 Purée or spoon

   Mash cooked squash smoothly, on its own or mixed with other vegetables.

3. 9–12 months

   ✋ Finger food (BLW)

   Cut soft cooked squash into bite-sized pieces of about 1 cm.

   🥣 Purée or spoon

   Mash it more roughly, or stir it into lentils, rice or pasta.

5. 12+ months

   ✋ Finger food (BLW)

   Offer soft pieces and let your toddler practise with a fork.

   🥣 Purée or spoon

   Use mashed squash in pasta sauces, soups and family meals.

Have butternut squash at home? See what you can cook

Add a second ingredient to see matching Bibful recipes.

✓ 🎃 Butternut squash+ 🍗 Chicken+ 🍎 Apple+ 🍝 Pasta+ 🥕 Carrot

15 Bibful recipes with butternut squash

• 
  Butternut Squash & Apple Puree35 min · from 6 months
• 
  Butternut Squash & Barley Porridge43 min · from 6 months
• 
  Butternut Squash Dip45 min · from 6 months

See the recipes in Bibful

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Preparation tips

• Soft all the way through. A cooked piece should squash easily between your thumb and finger.
• Raw squash is too hard. Always cook it; raw pieces are a choking risk.
• No salt added. Season the family's portion after taking out your baby's.

Frequently asked questions

When can babies eat butternut squash?

From around 6 months, mashed or as large, very soft cooked wedges.

Should I peel butternut squash for my baby?

Yes. The skin stays tough even when cooked, so peel it and remove the seeds before serving.

More first foods

• 🍎 Apple
• 🥑 Avocado
• 🍌 Banana
• 🥩 Beef
• 🫐 Blueberries
• 🍞 Bread
• 🥦 Broccoli
• 🥕 Carrot
• 🍗 Chicken
• 🥚 Egg
• 🫛 Green beans
• 🫘 Lentils
• 🥣 Oats
• 🥜 Peanut
• 🍐 Pear
• 🐟 Salmon
• 🍓 Strawberries
• 🍠 Sweet potato
• 🥛 Yogurt

This page is general information, not medical advice. It follows NHS Start for Life and World Health Organization guidance on introducing solid foods. Always stay with your baby while they eat, and speak to your health visitor or GP if you have concerns about feeding, allergies or choking.