As you feed your little one spoonfuls of nutritious baby food, a small drop splashes onto your hand, and instinctively, you lick it off. Now, while you know their food is packed with essential nutrients, you can’t help but cringe a little at the bland taste. Surely your baby would prefer something with a little seasoning and a little spice?

What about cinnamon, for example?

Is cinnamon safe for my baby?

Cinnamon is a great option if you’d like to add a touch more flavour to your baby’s food because it's neither a stomach irritant nor a common allergy. And what’s more, it’s sure to go well with a whole lot of your baby’s favourites, like sweet potatoes, soft pears, baby cereal, baby porridge, and apple puree. But besides adding flavour, does cinnamon offer any health benefits?

While cinnamon has been used to treat inflammation, diabetes, and even cancer, we can’t be sure that it provides any actual health benefits for babies. However, research suggests that early exposure to new and interesting flavours may reduce incidents of picky eating later in life – not a health benefit but certainly a positive!

But are there any potential risks of adding a sprinkle of cinnamon here and there?

Is there anything I need to be aware of when adding cinnamon to my baby’s food?

Cinnamon does contain a chemical known as coumarin that can cause harm to the liver, but only when consumed in excess. That said, there are no known risks in adding a dash of cinnamon to your baby’s meal.

While cinnamon may cause a rash in some people when it comes into contact with the skin, this shouldn’t happen when it’s ingested. If such a rash does occur, call your paediatrician.

So, a pinch of this delicious and aromatic spice won’t cause your baby any harm, and the worst that can happen is that your tiny tot doesn’t like it! And with this in mind, let’s find out how to introduce it.

When and how can I introduce cinnamon?

Now, it’s important not to introduce cinnamon until your baby is eating solid foods – around the 6-month mark. Remember that they’ll still be getting most of the nutrients they need from breast milk or formula, so we’re simply getting them used to the idea of eating and enjoying foods.

If your baby’s already eating solid foods, you’ll likely know that foods should be introduced one at a time to work out any allergies - this also goes for spices and seasonings. So, try sprinkling a little on some food you know your baby enjoys; yoghurt, perhaps, or some pureed fruit. If your baby doesn’t seem to enjoy the new flavour, don’t force it, but remember that it can take up to 15 attempts before a child accepts a new food.

If you’re unsure how much cinnamon to include, think of a quick sprinkle or a small dash, but try not to worry. If you’ve gone overboard, chances are your baby won’t eat it.

Can my baby have cinnamon?