Dr Tanya - Our Resident Pediatrician

Jennifer,

What's the rush? Berries in general are not very allergic, but she has her entire life to eat what you eat -- so slow down.  If she just started solids at sixth months she's probably still on the pureed Stage 1 baby foods (carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, etc.).  Let her enjoy these for 1 to 3 months before moving to Stage 2 and then 3. Wait 4 days between each new food to make sure she doesn't have an allergy. 

Signs of a food allergy are rash, vomiting, diarrhea, trouble breathing and/or wheezing -- call your doctor right away it these occur.  Some stage 2 and 3 foods do have berries in them and if you want to try them, go ahead.  Around 9 months of age babies develop a pincer grasp and are able to pick food up with their index finger and thumb. I find that this is a great time to introduce berries.  They are easy to cut up initially and later on the perfect size for kids to eat whole as healthy finger snacks. 

My 16 month-old son LOVES blueberries and has since we started them around 10 months.  It's so cute how excited he gets when he hears people say "berries."  He thinks they're the best dessert in the world!