First foods database

🟡 Turmeric for babies: when and how to serve it

Can babies have turmeric? Yes, a small pinch of ground turmeric is fine in food from about 6 months. It adds a warm, earthy flavour and golden colour without any heat.

From 6 monthsLow choking risk when prepared well

Good source of: Manganese, Iron, Flavour

How to serve turmeric by age

6 to 9 months

Add a small pinch (about 1/8 teaspoon) of ground turmeric to lentil dhal, rice, scrambled egg or mashed vegetables. Cook it with the food and a little oil, which mellows the flavour and helps it blend in.

9 to 12 months

Use turmeric in family curries made without chilli or salt, in vegetable soups or in roasted cauliflower. Up to 1/4 teaspoon in a family meal is plenty.

12 months and up

Keep using turmeric as part of family cooking. Toddlers can try golden milk made with whole cow's milk and a pinch of turmeric and cinnamon, with no added sugar.

Choking safety

Ground turmeric is not a choking risk. Check the food it is cooked into, such as rice, lentils or vegetables, is soft and prepared safely for your baby's age.

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

Easy ideas

Goes well with

🫘Red lentilsFrom 6 months🍚RiceFrom 6 months🥚EggFrom 6 months · Egg🥥Coconut milkFrom 6 months

Recipes with turmeric

🧅Baked mixed veg pakora frittersFrom 9 months · Lunch · 35 min🍛Batch cook mild chickpea and spinach curryFrom 7 months · Dinner · 35 min🍠First red lentil and sweet potato dal mashFrom 6 months · Dinner · 35 min🍚Lamb and butternut squash biryaniFrom 10 months · Dinner · 70 min🍲Lamb and lentil hariraFrom 7 months · Lunch · 75 min🌼Mild cauliflower and chickpea kormaFrom 7 months · Dinner · 40 min

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Questions parents ask

Can babies eat turmeric?

Can babies have turmeric? Yes, a small pinch of ground turmeric is fine in food from about 6 months. It adds a warm, earthy flavour and golden colour without any heat.

Is turmeric safe for babies?

Yes, in the small amounts used in cooking. Avoid supplements and concentrated extracts.

Can turmeric help a baby's cold?

There is no good evidence that turmeric treats colds in babies. Offer it as a flavour, and speak to your GP or health visitor if you are worried about your baby's health.

Does turmeric change a baby's nappy colour?

It can give poo a yellowish tinge. This is harmless and passes once the food has gone through.

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).