5 Reasons to Avoid Giving Ice to Babies and Kids

While ice may seem like a good idea to give your baby pain relief from teething or to cool down on a hot day, there are safety concerns. Great alternatives exist to using ice as a pain reliever for teething babies and toddlers. Once your baby is showing signs of readiness for solid foods (~6 months of age) they can enjoy a breast milk or formula popsicle or another popsicle made from pureed food.

I usually don’t crave to many cold foods living in the Midwest with the long winter season and abundance of cold weather. However, even with the cold temperatures, it is hard to resist homemade ice creams and popsicles! I have included some yummy homemade popsicle recipes at the end of the post for you and your kids to try!

Read on to learn the safety concerns of giving ice to babies and kids and the delicious alternatives that exist.

Dangers of Ice for Babies and Young Children

Avoid giving ice to your baby and kids because:

1. Ice is a choking hazard
2. Ice is sharp and can cut the inside of the mouth
3. Ice can chip teeth and wear enamel
4. Ice can cause an ice burn (popsicle panniculitis) in the mouth or skin
5. Ice and other fluids can replace breastmilk or formula in babies under 1 year

Ice cubes are a choking hazard

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics and other medical literature, ice cubes and crushed ice pose a choking hazard for babies and young children. Ice is slippery and is the perfect size to get stuck in the airways of babies and small children. Avoid giving ice on its own or in a glass of ice-cold water (in case some ice gets swallowed) to babies and toddlers.

Along with avoiding ice, check out the 8 foods to avoid during your baby’s first year and beyond.

Can chewing on ice cause tooth decay?

Yes, chewing on ice can cause tooth decay. Chewing on ice may cause dangerous cracks and chips in teeth and damage the tooth enamel. Damaged tooth enamel causes increased sensitivity to hot and cold food and beverages. The risk of developing cavities increases when tooth enamel is damaged.

What is popsicle panniculitis?

Although rare, popsicle panniculitis develops when a baby’s or toddler’s skin is exposed to something very cold, like a popsicle. This results in facial swelling and redness and occasionally a burning sensation. Bumps in and around cheeks and the affected area may appear within 6 to 72 hours after sucking on something very cold. Popsicle panniculitis is harmless and almost always resolves on its own. You can completely avoid popsicle panniculitis by not serving ice or popsicles to babies and toddlers.

Can babies have popsicles?

There is no research saying when babies can have popsicles but there are a few things to consider. Popsicles are often made from fruit juice or fruit purees. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies are fed only breast milk or formula until 6 months of age.

Wait to serve popsicles until your baby is at least 6 months of age and once solid baby food is introduced. Your baby can better hold onto a popsicle handle after 6 months. Store-bought and homemade popsicles can easily fit into a healthy eating lifestyle for your baby and older child.

Can babies and toddlers use popsicles when teething?

Cold items like cool teething toys or popsicles help relieve a teething toddler’s gums. Popsicles work great to provide teething relief for older babies and toddlers who can independently hold popsicles.

Babies can technically have a breast milk or formula popsicle prior to 6 months, but it is difficult for babies to hold onto a popsicle at this age. Make sure there is adult supervision if you choose to offer popsicles to younger babies. You can also hold the popsicle and allow your baby to lean forward to suck on it.

What are the risks to giving babies popsicles?

The risks of giving popsicles to babies are similar to the risks of giving babies ice. Popsicles can be a choking hazard if a piece broke off and blocked the airway. Popsicles are obviously very cold and could cause an ice burn, or popsicle panniculitis, like described above. Like the dangers of ice, chewing on popsicles can cause teeth to chip and enamel to wear, leading to increased risk for cavities.

Popsicles made from fruit juice or other fluids like whole milk can replace nutrition needed from breast milk or formula. Thus, it’s recommended to wait until at least 6 months to offer popsicles.

What are the benefits of giving babies popsicles?

For sensory purposes, popsicles offer a great way to expose babies to a cold sensation and help create a mental map of the inside of the mouth. Popsicles have a mixed texture (liquid and solid) which is a good challenge for babies. This challenge may be best dealt with when babies are closer to 9 months and have chewing and swallowing skills developed.

Homemade popsicles are very nutritious and offer a fun “vehicle” to for babies and toddlers to get nutrient-dense foods in. Popsicles are thought of as being sweet, but popsicles can be made with herbs, vegetable purees, and more!

Homemade popsicle recipes

Serving popsicles can be a fun way to cool down on a hot summer afternoon for babies, kids, and adults! I think the best way to eat a popsicle is at the poolside after a long day of swimming or after other outdoor activities in the sun!

There are so many flavor options when you make your own popsicles, the options are really endless! Check out these: 7 popsicle recipes for babies and toddlers. Just be sure to omit sweeteners (especially honey!) if you’re serving to babies under 1 year. I love creamy foods so I opt to add cream or yogurt to my homemade popsicles like these creamy yogurt popsicles.

General homemade popsicle recipe

Most popsicles will have a fruit or vegetable puree or both. You can make a creamy popsicle by using yogurt and cream. For the best results, follow a recipe like the ones above until you get the hang of ingredient portions!

A general homemade popsicle recipe is as follows:

1. Fruit or vegetable puree or yogurt
2. Extracts (vanilla, mint, etc.)
3. Herbs and spices
4. Sweetener (leave out if baby is under 2 years)

Looking for more recommended baby-led weaning supplies? I have it all laid out for you in this baby-led weaning supply guide. Follow our baby-led weaning journey on instagram @mydietitian.friend!