I am chinese and I am married to a Pakistani guy. We have just started weaning baby (6 months) and started introducing the basics (bananas, rice cereal etc), but he wants me to start giving baby Dahl and curry and other spices so she grows up liking spicy food. He is especially adamant because I did not eat any spice when I was pregnant and or breastfeeding. I am rather opposed to it and I feel spices should not be introduced so early. How do I convince him otherwise? Or should I start introducing curry to baby? He feels like I am shielding our child from his culture by not introducing his food to her. This is ofcourse rubbish, but I do feel there is a right time and place for this and six months is just too young.

With many health benefits, herbs and spices help to add flavor and variety to food without the need for salt, sugar and added flavorings that isn’t as good for us. We as adults use herbs and spices to enhance the natural flavors of the food we eat. Most pediatrics and baby food specialists agree that 6 to 8 months is ideal for the introduction of aromatic spices such as cinnamon, mixed spice, nutmeg, garlic, turmeric, ginger, coriander, dill and cumin. These spices have many benefits, ranging from antioxidant properties to anti-inflammatory properties, immune system improvement and plenty of other benefits too. Hot spices however, such as chili, curry, paprika, cayenne pepper and other pepper based spice are best left until your baby is at least a year old. These spices can trigger reactions, and as they trigger pain receptors in the brain, should be introduced in very small amounts when they are eventually introduced. As a general rule of thumb, it is always a good idea to follow the ‘4 Day Wait rule’ when introducing herbs and spices to your baby’s food. Most herbs and most aromatic spices are mild enough to not typically cause any reactions, but just like any other food you introduce, waiting to see whether your baby is sensitive to the food you are offering is the simplest and safest way to ensure that no food allergies or intolerance is indicated.

In many cultures, babies are not fed bland foods, rather, they introduced to spices from the start. In India, it is common to add a bit of curry spices to baby’s foods at a very early age. Thai families often incorporate coconut milk, lemongrass, tamarind and even chili when feeding their babies and in South America, babies are exposed to herbs and spices such as cumin, cilantro and even chili peppers. I grew up in a Malay household and while bland foods like porridge is common, it is always spiced. BUT you are right to want to wait. A majority of pediatricians will recommend waiting until an infant is 8 months or older to introduce spices and herbs. Tell your husband that at 6 months, baby's stomach can be sensitive and too much spices can cause upset tummies. Convince him to wait a few more months and after that gradually introduce spices to your baby's diet. Also just because baby doesn't eat spicy foods now, it doesn't mean that she will not appreciate it later. I've plenty of Caucasian friends who were never fed spices as kids and grew up absolutely loving them.

I guess, six months is too early. Though, I, myself an Indian, and we love spicy food but I did not introduce my child to spices at this age. And no matter which culture you belong to, introducing spices to a kid always remain a big question. I guess, to keep your husband's word, you can still introduce your kid to cinnamon or a pinch of haldi in her food but should let her turn atleast One, to proceed. Else the best way to make your husband that your baby is too young to be given spices, you can make a visit to the baby's PD, and he will himself educate him. http://wholesomebabyfood.momtastic.com/tipspices.htm

In my opinion, 6 months old is way too young to introduce spicy food. Bad for baby's tummy and will create influx if not being careful. Maybe you can tell your hubby the introduction stages towards those spicy food. Give him sort of timetable/stages of food introduction and couple with some facts/ recommendations from professionals. I believe he will be able to understand the logic behind the food introduction for his baby.

6 months is way too early. You could introduce Dahl and rice to the baby at 7 months but be sure to make it like a kichdi (A pureed form). Also use less spices since babies have a bit week tummies. And also it is very important to start with a couple of spoons first and how the baby likes it. Good luck.

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you may want to have those spice your own and then feed baby throught breastmilk. your baby will have the taste of it from your milk so in future it is easier to introduce your baby to spices.

Six months is too young to introduce spice. Should be bland food with no sugar, salt, soya sauce etc. This is the age for plain purées

if you look up on baby led weaning, spices are more than welcomed to be part of our babies' meals :)

Too young to be fed with spicy food