Feeding FAQ: 6-9 months – Other

Question – Introducing spices in baby’s diet

At what point can I introduce Indian spices into my baby’s food – things such as cumin, coriander, etc, and also when can I start to add pepper and herbs such as oregano, basil, etc?

Answer:

That’s an excellent question. Giving your baby foods containing spices which you enjoy has the great benefit that they will become used to your diet at an earlier age, so you can be eating one family meal sooner (maybe with adult portions spiced up a bit more, and baby portions chopped or pureed). Another advantage is that children who have tasted a wider range of foods at an early age may be less fussy as they get older.

UK guidelines state that mild spices, such as cumin and coriander, can be used sparingly from 6 months, but that hot spices such as black pepper and chilli pepper should be delayed until after 1 year. In a practical sense, if you wean at about 6 months and focus on more significant foods first, it will probably be closer to eight months that you are introducing even mild spices. This is an age which some people suggest is more suitable anyway. Follow the guidelines you would when introducing any new food -this also applies to herbs such as oregano and basil, which similarly can be introduced any time from six months. Do note that some spices, such as cinnamon, can be associated with allergies, and also that vanilla is often in a liquid form containing alcohol. Lastly, remember that babies have a much more sensitive sense of taste than adults, so start with just using a tiny pinch.

I find it fascinating to think that, when you first give your baby a food containing spices that you enjoy, that is probably not the first time they’ll have tasted them. Research has shown that not only do babies taste the spices of foods mums eat when breastfeeding, the spices even pass into the amniotic fluid. As a baby’s taste and smell are maturing in their last few months in the womb, they may be savouring your spicy Singapore noodles and Indian curries along with you!

Here are a few ideas for introducing your baby’s palate to the wonderful world of spices:

• Cumin with pumpkin and sweet potato
• Turmeric or coriander with lentils or chickpeas
• Ginger with carrots or fish, or in puddings and pear dishes
• Cinnamon in puddings and orangey or appley foods, such as baked apples or apple puree
• Nutmeg in milky puddings, especially rice pudding
• Cardamon in milky and rice puddings, also with sweet potato or pumpkin
• Your choice of cumin, coriander, ginger or turmeric (or a combination, if your child is used to these flavours) with meat, rice or noodle dishes