There is much speculation about the right time to introduce nuts and seeds to your baby. Some medical experts recommend waiting until 6 months of age, 1 year of age, or even 5 years of age. Recommendations like these can be very confusing for parents who are interested in introducing these foods and who also are anxious about knowing their child's tolerance for them. My advice would be to look at your family medical history as well as your child's natural tolerance to other foods. In general, if there is a history of allergies or food sensitivities in your family, especially allergic conditions such as hay fever, asthma or excema, your baby will be at a higher risk for having a sensitivity or allergy. In these cases, introduction to nuts should be done later and possibly under medical supervision. Otherwise, if there is no history of allergies or food sensitivities in the family or with the child themselves, nuts and seeds can actually be a great addition to your baby's diet. Keep in mind that whole nuts should not be given to children until they're about 5 years old. Ground nuts and seeds are best for babies and toddlers and preschoolers are probably okay with smaller nuts and seeds, but use discretion with larger ones that may present a choking hazard.
For the non-allergenic infant, tree nuts (this does not include peanuts) and seeds can be introduced some time between 9 and 12 months. Try almonds, cashews, and pine nuts as well as sunflower, pumpkin, sesame and flax seeds. Walnuts can be put off a bit longer because of their high oil content and peanuts should definitely be put off until at least 18 months, some say 3 years of age. Ground almonds are a great addition to hot cereals, soups, sauces and baked goods and almond, sunflower, and pumpkin seed butters are fantastic as sandwich spreads and as an alternative to peanut butter. Sesame paste, or tahini, can be used to flavour dishes as well as to make hummus - a vegetarian baby staple! Flax seeds and flax oil are a great source of omega-3s and fiber, but keep in mind that heated or cooked, they lose much of their antioxidant and omega-3 components - but still retain their exceptional fiber content. Other great sources of nuts and seeds come in the form of milks - almond milk and hemp milk are probably the most common. Almond milk is nutty and creamy and makes a great dairy alternative that is still a high source of calcium.
For allergenic infants, it is definitely advised to consult with your child's doctor for advice on how to proceed.
Many medical professionals will recommend waiting to introduce nuts and seeds until much later - sometimes closer to 36 months - and again, this is to avoid allergic reactions. Although this is a good cautious measure to take, the health benefits that can be derived from nuts and seeds, especially for a vegetarian baby, cannot be underestimated. If you are at all concerned about possible allergic reactions, err on the side of caution and hold off introducing nuts and seeds until you or your child's doctor deems it appropriate.
Whatever you decide, do not fear nuts and seeds! Yes, they are a highly allergenic food, but so are dairy, eggs, and wheat and we are much more likely to introduce these to our children at a young age. Use common sense based on family history and introduce them slowly and sparingly and watch for any reactions. Severe allergic reactions (trouble breathing, hives, swelling) will develop within minutes to 2 hours after eating the offending food, while food sensitivities will most commonly show up in the form of gastrointestinal problems (vomiting, diarrhea) and excema.
