First foods database
🌿 Mixed herbs for babies: when and how to serve it
Can babies have mixed herbs? Yes, dried mixed herbs can be used in small amounts from about 6 months. A pinch adds flavour to savoury food without any salt, and early exposure to herby tastes helps babies accept a wider range of family meals later on.
Good source of: Flavour, Antioxidants
How to serve mixed herbs by age
6 to 9 months
Add a small pinch (around 1/4 teaspoon for a family pan, or a few flakes for a single baby portion) of dried mixed herbs to tomato sauce, vegetable mash, lentils or scrambled egg. Cook them into the food so they soften. Herby omelette strips or meatball fingers make good finger foods.
9 to 12 months
Stir mixed herbs into pasta sauces, homemade meatballs, lentil patties, fishcakes and omelettes. They suit courgette, tomato, chicken and egg. You can build up to around 1/2 teaspoon in a family dish.
12 months and up
Use mixed herbs freely in family cooking in place of salt, in bakes, soups, stews and roast vegetables. Let your toddler sprinkle a pinch on their own pizza or pasta for fun.
Choking safety
Mixed herbs are low choking risk in small amounts. Dried leaves can be scratchy or stick to the back of the throat, so crumble them finely between your fingers and cook or stir them into moist food rather than scattering dry herbs on top.
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
- Check the jar is herbs only, with no added salt, stock or flavour enhancers.
- Avoid blends that include chilli or hot pepper for young babies.
Easy ideas
- Tomato pasta sauce with mixed herbs
- Herby courgette and egg omelette
- Mixed herb lentil patties
Goes well with
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Questions parents ask
Can babies eat mixed herbs?
Can babies have mixed herbs? Yes, dried mixed herbs can be used in small amounts from about 6 months. A pinch adds flavour to savoury food without any salt, and early exposure to herby tastes helps babies accept a wider range of family meals later on.
Can babies have dried herbs?
Yes, small amounts are fine from about 6 months, cooked into food.
Which herbs are in mixed herbs?
Usually thyme, oregano, basil, marjoram, sage and parsley. Blends vary, so check the label.
Are fresh herbs better than dried?
Both are fine. Use roughly three times as much fresh herb as dried, chopped very finely.
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).