Are you a new parent? Do you ever wonder when your baby can start eating nuts safely once they have transitioned to solid foods? Well, you have come to the right place! Here at Nature’s Garden, we have a wide variety of nut snacks, some of which you may have to get a little creative in the kitchen to give to your baby or toddler.
In this article you will discover when and how to serve nuts to your baby safely as well as learn tips, allergy precautions, baby-friendly nut serving ideas and recipes for new parents.
Servings Nuts to Babies: A Parent’s Guide to Safe Introduction
When it comes to serving nuts to your baby, there are a variety of different ways to go about it for your very first time. Early introduction of nuts can be a smart way to prevent allergies, however it must be done with precaution.
Food allergies are a common subject of concern for parents and clinicians caring for children; the incidence of food allergies has increased over the years, now affecting 1 to 10% of children worldwide.
When Can Babies Start Eating Nuts?
For all infants, including those with severe eczema or other existing food allergies, peanut and other tree nuts should be introduced around 6 months, not before 4 months, and in the first 12 months.
During the Learning Early About Peanut Allergy (LEAP) Clinical Trial, half of the participants regularly consumed peanut products from infancy to 5 years of age, while the other half avoided peanuts during that period. Researchers found that the early introduction of peanut products, a common food allergen, reduced the risk of peanut allergy at age 5 by 81%.
Best Ways to Serve Nuts to Babies
Lucky for you, nuts are a versatile food and can easily be incorporated in a variety of ways so your baby will never get bored.
- Spread a thin layer of smooth nut butter on a piece of soft mashed banana
- Stir in nut butter into baby’s yogurt, oatmeal or pureed fruits
- Sprinkle powdered nut butters onto your baby’s food
Allergy Prevention and Warning Signs
If your baby has eczema or a family history of food allergies, it is best to have a discussion with your pediatrician before introducing nuts. It may even be beneficial to participate in allergy testing in some cases.
The best time to start is when your baby is healthy and you can monitor them after nut consumption for any potential warning signs of a food allergy. Carefully watch for the following symptoms within a few minutes to 2 hours post nut ingestion.
Mild symptoms
- Rash or hive near the mouth
- Mild swelling of lips or face
- Some vomiting or diarrhea
Severe symptoms
- Respiratory complications such as trouble breathing or wheezing
- Coughing
- Pale skin
- Hives all over the body
- Swelling of tongue or lips
What to Avoid
Introducing nuts to your infant’s diet is not something you should fear, but we do want you to be aware of what to avoid when taking this first step.
- No whole nuts
- No chunky nut butters
- Do not introduce more than one nut at a time
- Do not offer nuts at night as you will not be able to monitor potential reactions as closely
Remember that if you spend the time consistently introducing your child to common allergens like nuts early on in their lives, there will be less chance of stressing about food allergies as your child ages.
Recipe to Try: Nature’s Garden Strawberry Hazelnut Butter
Looking for a fun, tasty way to introduce nuts to your baby’s diet? Get ready to stock up with some of our roasted hazelnuts and some fresh or frozen strawberries!
When introducing other foods like strawberries, it is also best to start small and what better way to give your baby some vitamin C, prebiotic fiber, and a small fruit serving than to add some strawberries into a homemade nut butter.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup roasted and skinned hazelnuts
- 1 cup fresh strawberries
Directions:
- Place hazelnuts in a high-powered blender or food processor and process for about 5-10 minutes. Ensure there are no chunks of hazelnuts leftover.
- Add in the strawberries. Once the hazelnut butter is smooth, add in the fresh strawberries to your blender. Continue blending until the strawberries are all mixed in.
- Transfer to an air-tight container and store in the fridge for up to 1 month.
