First foods database
🌱 Cardamom for babies: when and how to serve it
Can babies have cardamom? Yes, a small pinch of ground cardamom is fine from about 6 months. It brings a warm, sweet, floral flavour to porridge, rice and fruit without heat.
Good source of: Flavour, Manganese
How to serve cardamom by age
6 to 9 months
Use a small pinch (about 1/8 teaspoon) of ground cardamom in porridge, rice pudding made with whole milk, or stewed apple and pear. If you cook with whole pods, remove every pod and seed before serving.
9 to 12 months
Add cardamom to curries made without chilli, dhal, baked fruit or banana pancakes. It pairs well with cinnamon and ginger.
12 months and up
Toddlers can enjoy cardamom in family cooking, homemade muffins and kheer, still removing whole pods before serving.
Choking safety
Whole cardamom pods are small, hard and fibrous and can be a choking hazard. Count them in and out of the pan, or tie them in a muslin bag. Ground cardamom on its own is not a choking risk.
Gagging is common and noisy while babies learn to eat. Choking is usually silent. Always stay with your baby while they eat, sitting upright. How to help a choking baby (NHS).
Good to know
- Remove whole pods and seeds before serving.
- Many cardamom desserts are high in sugar; sweeten with fruit instead.
Easy ideas
- Cardamom porridge with mashed banana
- Stewed pear with ground cardamom
- Rice pudding with cardamom and no added sugar
Goes well with
Recipes with cardamom
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Questions parents ask
Can babies eat cardamom?
Can babies have cardamom? Yes, a small pinch of ground cardamom is fine from about 6 months. It brings a warm, sweet, floral flavour to porridge, rice and fruit without heat.
Can babies eat whole cardamom pods?
No. Whole pods are a choking risk and very strong to bite into. Remove them or use ground cardamom.
How much cardamom for a baby?
A small pinch, about 1/8 teaspoon, in a baby portion is plenty.
Is cardamom good for babies?
It is a safe way to add flavour without salt or sugar. It is used in small amounts, so it does not add much nutrition on its own.
Sources
OBubba gives general information based on UK guidance. It is not medical advice and does not diagnose anything. Every baby is different. If your baby has a known allergy, severe eczema or a medical condition, speak to your doctor or health visitor before starting solids. Learn baby first aid, and in an emergency call your local emergency number (999 in the UK).