Due to concerns over allergies, it is commonly asked if babies can have almond butter. So let’s talk more about this!
Overall, it is safe to give your baby almond butter when they are around six months old. Since almond is a common allergen, after feeding almond butter to your baby, monitor for symptoms of a food allergy.
In this article, we will cover how and when to safely introduce almond butter to your baby, allergy symptoms to look out for, some potential health benefits, and much more!
Covered in this Article:
Is Almond Butter Safe for Babies?
Almond butter is safe for your baby as long as it does not have any chunks of almonds in it and it is the appropriate texture for their age. For instance, when your baby is around six months old and first begins to have pureed foods, you can thin the almond butter with a small amount of cereal, yogurt, breast milk, or infant formula.
Let’s break down the safety of almond butter by age (source: Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia):
| Age in months | Can your baby have almond butter? |
| 6 | Yes, thinned out with a liquid such as breast milk |
| 7 | Yes, thinned out with a liquid such as breast milk |
| 8 | Yes, thicker consistency is appropriate |
| 9 | Yes, thicker consistency is appropriate |
| 10 | Yes, thicker consistency is appropriate |
| 11 | Yes, thicker consistency is appropriate |
| 12 | Yes, thicker consistency is appropriate |
It was previously believed that parents should wait until their baby was at least one year old to give them foods containing common allergens, such as peanut butter or almond butter.
However, it is now known that the early introduction of common allergenic foods, such as almonds, is fine for babies without a known food allergy (source: American Academy of Pediatrics).
If your baby has eczema or another known food allergy, speak with their pediatrician about the early introduction and if allergy testing is needed before the first introduction.
A primary concern of almond butter is to make sure that it is entirely smooth and creamy. Do not purchase chunky almond butter for your baby, and ensure that homemade almond butter does not have chunks.
In addition, babies and very young children should not have any whole nuts or pieces of nuts because of the increased risk of choking.
After feeding your baby almond butter, wait at least two days before starting another new food. Monitor for symptoms of a food allergy, such as diarrhea, vomiting, or hives (source: American Academy of Pediatrics). If there are no symptoms, you can gradually increase the amount of almond butter you give your baby.
Can Babies Have Raw Almond Butter?
When it comes to how your almond butter is processed, whether the almonds are roasted or raw does not make a significant difference in the safety of your baby. In other words, you can feed your baby both raw or roasted almond butter as long as the above guidelines are followed.
The Benefits of Almond Butter for Babies
Almond butter is an excellent source of nutrition for your baby because it is rich in protein, unsaturated fats (which are healthy fats!), calories to help them grow, vitamins, minerals, and more! Wow!
For example, almonds are rich in vitamin E, which is important in helping your baby’s brain development (source: American Society for Nutrition).
Finally, try to choose an unsalted variety of almond butter since it is preferable that your baby not have added sodium. If you make your own almond butter at home, avoid adding anything such as sodium or other oils.
It is especially crucial to make sure that it does not contain any honey in the ingredients list unless your baby is at least 12 months old.
I hope you found this article helpful in learning about almond butter and how to feed it to your baby safely.
| This article has been reviewed and approved for publication in line with our editorial policy. |