cinnamon
Food Type: Herb/Spice
Age Suggestion: 6 months +
Nutrition Rating:
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Is cinnamon
healthy
for babies?
Yes—in moderation. Just a pinch is enough to add a layer of flavor! It also offers trace amounts of fiber, iron, calcium, manganese, and vitamin K. It may even have antimicrobial, antiparasitic, and antioxidant effects on the body.4
It would be wise to opt for Ceylon cinnamon when possible, and take care with cassia cinnamon varieties to offer just a sprinkle rather than the heaping spoonful. Cassia cinnamon (also called Chinese cinnamon, Indonesian cinnamon, Korintje cinnamon, Padang cinnamon, Saigon cinnamon, and Vietnamese cinnamon) contains more coumarin, a toxic plant compound that may pose health risks when consumed in excess amounts.5 Even one teaspoon of cassia cinnamon exceeds the tolerable daily intake of coumarin for adults, according to the European Food Safety Authority—that means just a pinch is plenty for the average-sized baby.6 That said, it is unlikely that your baby will consume a ton of cinnamon because it is primarily used to flavor foods in cooking across cultures.
★Tip: Ceylon cinnamon can be more expensive than cassia. If you’re a cinnamon lover, buy both types and reserve Ceylon for recipes that call for lots of this delicious spice! For an occasional sprinkle on your baby’s food, cassia cinnamon varieties are just fine.
Is cinnamon a common choking hazard for babies?
No. However, cinnamon is often used to flavor hard fruits, which are choking hazards when served raw. As always, be sure to create a safe eating environment and always stay near your baby during mealtime. Check out our age-appropriate serving suggestions!
For more information, visit our section on gagging and choking and familiarize yourself with common choking hazards.
Is cinnamon common allergy?
​
No. Cinnamon allergy is uncommon, although individuals with asthma may be sensitive to cinnamon if it is inhaled.7 A more common occurrence is when cinnamon causes a harmless rash when it comes in contact with skin.8 This contact rash is typically an irritant, rather than an allergic, reaction.
As you would when introducing any new food, start by offering a small quantity—just a pinch—with a food that has already been introduced, such as mashed root vegetables, warm cereal, or yogurt. If there is no adverse reaction, gradually increase the quantity over future meals.
How to prepare cinnamon for your baby!
6 to 12 months old: Sprinkle a small pinch of cinnamon on well-cooked fruit or vegetables, mix into warm cereals or coconut rice, or mix into lentil dishes.
12 to 18 months old: Time to spice things up! Cinnamon is used in lots of savory dishes and curried vegetables. While cinnamon is often used to flavor sweet foods, it would be wise to hold off on serving desserts with added sugar until the second birthday to allow your child to develop a palate for savory foods and to help offset preferences for sweet and salty foods as your child grows.