Feeding your baby sounds straightforward. Sure, it’s very easy to prepare and give them milk. But what when they begin to require solid food? How do you choose what to feed them? More importantly, what are the things you may and may not feed them?
Cinnamon has been dubbed the "wonder spice" due to the multiple health advantages, but you're probably wondering, can babies have cinnamon? If you're a new parent, this article contains all of the information you need to know about cinnamon.
1. Feeding Cinnamon To Your Baby
Cinnamon is typically included in baby food after they begin solids, and it’s usually safe to feed newborns tiny doses of cinnamon in their diet. When cinnamon is sprinkled in small amounts over their food, most babies tolerate it nicely. However, a bit more than that could induce gastrointestinal problems, diarrhea, and allergies.
You can give cinnamon to your child in a variety of ways. You can sprinkle some cinnamon on baby food like the ones from brands like Serenity Kids or add it as ingredients to other solid meals. You can add cinnamon to milk as well. It’s a good match for milk, and you can have your kid drink cinnamon milk daily. Some parents find that incorporating cinnamon into homemade baby food goes excellent in baby food pouches and can add a delightful twist to flavors and textures.
2. Benefits Of Cinnamon For Babies
Cinnamon contains anti-inflammatory qualities that promote healing and help prevent illness. It’s a highly effective antioxidant that guards the body against free radical damage. It boosts the immune system and protects key organs. Cinnamon is also beneficial for digestion and may help a baby's digestive tract develop correctly. It shields the stomach lining from damage caused by acids.
Cinnamon has anti-inflammatory chemicals that are beneficial for treating asthma. It promotes excellent respiratory health by reducing airway obstructions. It strengthens the immune system and protects youngsters against disease. Cinnamon helps prevent common ailments like colds and stomach viruses.
It’s a natural antibacterial agent good for the teeth and gums too. Besides preventing tooth decay, spreading roast cinnamon on the teeth helps painful, bleeding gums. Cinnamon is also beneficial for youngsters' skin, protecting it from pollution.
Additionally, topical use may be helpful for eczema and other skin disorders. Cinnamon consumption helps children develop an allergy-resistant immune system by boosting the immune system's ability to combat antigens.
3. Safety Concerns For Cinnamon Consumption
If you're giving cinnamon to your infant for the first time, it's good to have a skin patch test performed at your pediatrician's office to ensure he’s not allergic. Additionally, you should avoid cinnamon if the child is on a blood thinner.
Examine the labels of any cinnamon-containing grocery products. Because allergies are incurable, you’ll need to work with a doctor to manage your baby's allergies.
If feeding cinnamon came before an allergy test, you’d know your baby is allergic if, within minutes of ingestion, he develops itchy skin, hives, or rashes. Diarrhea, vomiting, or stomach cramps can also be signs. Cough, wheezing, and red eyes are other symptoms to look out for. The allergic reaction is life-threatening when there’s difficulty breathing, a drop in blood pressure, and a rapid heartbeat.
4. Introducing Cinnamon To Your Babies
When adding cinnamon to oatmeal or stewed pears, the most crucial consideration is whether your child is developmentally ready for solids. If they’re not, they may gag or push the food back out. At six months of age, children should begin eating solid meals while still receiving most of their nutrients from breast milk or infant formula.
At six months, most babies complete critical milestones like sitting up, controlling their head and neck, opening their mouth when food is provided, swallowing food, and holding things, all of which indicate that they’re ready to eat solid food.
When your infant reaches the stages mentioned above, introduce various kinds of food before introducing cinnamon. After doing so, experiment with a sprinkle of cinnamon to see how they react. Purchase high-quality cinnamon sticks and ground them at home or grate them fresh as needed using a fine grater.
Cinnamon is an excellent complement to a variety of fruit and squash purees, yogurt, and apple sauce. Never force your infant to consume cinnamon, but don’t quit if they don’t seem to appreciate it.
Takeaway
Along with flavor, cinnamon provides a significant nutritional boost to the infant. If your infant is not allergic to cinnamon, you can safely and enjoyably introduce it to them in tiny doses. Learn the best time and ways to give cinnamon to your babies and see how they fare with this well-loved spice.
