When can babies eat lemon juice?

The earliest stage on this page is 6–8 months: A squeeze in cooking is fine. The NHS tooth-decay guidance it relates to concerns fruit juice drunk as a drink; this is a splash used as flavour.

How do I cut and serve lemon juice for my baby?

6–8 months (Mashed): A squeeze in cooking is fine. The NHS tooth-decay guidance it relates to concerns fruit juice drunk as a drink; this is a splash used as flavour. 9–11 months (Mashed): Used in cooking as a flavour, not served as a drink. 12–24 months (Mashed): With the family meal. Diluted juice as a drink is still the part guidance limits, and it is acidic on teeth.

What should I watch out for when giving lemon juice to a baby?

Added sugar risks tooth decay and is not needed. Fruit juice counts. Source: NHS: foods to avoid.

Lemon Juice

Lemon juice brings sharp acidity that lifts rich or flat food. It finishes Lemon Thyme Skillet Chicken Breast and Creamy Lemon Sardine Spaghetti, dresses the Zucchini and Avocado Salad, and goes into Japanese Soufflé Cheesecake and oatmeal cookies. Heat dulls its edge, so it goes in off the heat, and a lemon rolled on the counter first gives up more juice.

11 recipes use this ingredient

Lemon Juice

Nutrient	Per 100 g
Vitamin C	38.7 mg
Sugars	2.5 g
Energy	22 kcal

Not a common allergen. It is not on the UK list of 14 foods that must be declared on labels.

How to serve Lemon Juice to babies

6–8 months
Mashed
A squeeze in cooking is fine. The NHS tooth-decay guidance it relates to concerns fruit juice drunk as a drink; this is a splash used as flavour.
9–11 months
Mashed
Used in cooking as a flavour, not served as a drink.
12–24 months
Mashed
With the family meal. Diluted juice as a drink is still the part guidance limits, and it is acidic on teeth.