Hazelnuts For Babies – when to Introduce, Benefits & Side Effects

Are Hazelnuts Healthy For Babies?

Yes, hazelnuts are healthy for babies who are not allergic to nuts or do not show any side effects. They are a rich source of proteins, healthy fats, and fibers and also contain essential nutrients like magnesium, potassium, and vitamin E making hazelnuts for babies an excellent food. But you should be careful about introducing them only to babies who are on solids.

Below is a nutritional table indicating the nutritive value of hazelnuts per 100 gm

(Source)

When to Introduce Hazelnuts to Babies?

Babies can typically start consuming hazelnuts at 6 to 7 months of age once they have started solids. However, it is important to remember that nuts can cause allergies and choking. So due precautions must be taken. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends introducing solid foods like nuts around six months of age when their digestive system is more developed and hence when they can handle a broader range of foods. Also, as per a review article published in the National Library of Medicine journal, early introduction of allergic foods may allow the baby’s digestive system to easily adapt to those foods. Doctors and medical experts are recommending these foods to be introduced as early as 6 months.

It is crucial to consider a few factors before introducing hazelnuts or any other nuts to babies:

1. Allergy History

If there’s a family history of nut allergies, it’s better to consult a doctor before introducing hazelnuts to babies. Babies with a high risk due to allergies might have to wait until later to try nuts again.

[Read : Food Allergies in Babies]

2. Form of Serving

Introducing hazelnuts to babies in a mashed form is ideal. It would lower the risk of choking and feed them with a high nutrition content. Feeding whole or chopped must be avoided in the initial few months.

3. Say Yes to Gradual Introduction

It might not be a good idea to introduce your baby to everything simultaneously. It would be ideal to give your baby some time with a gap of a few days between each new food. Doing this would familiarize them with each fresh food introduced. Also, it would be easier to identify any potential allergies.

How to Introduce Hazelnuts to Babies?

Introducing your baby to hazelnuts must be done with total caution and care so that you can make sure that they are safe for them, and also, you can monitor if they are causing any allergic reaction to your baby.

Here are some step-by-step guides on how you can introduce your baby to hazelnuts:

1. You can introduce hazelnuts to babies who have crossed six months of age and have started eating solid foods.
2. Before introducing hazelnuts to your baby, ensure that there is no family history of nut allergies. In case of family history, do consult your pediatrician on the right time and the right way to introduce this nut.
3. Start with a small quantity of hazelnut paste, about 1/8th of a teaspoon. See if your baby is showing any reactions or side effects after consuming this paste.
4. Use the three-day rule and make sure that your baby is not allergic to hazelnuts before continuing to feed them to your little one.
5. Remember, hazelnuts are a choking hazard for babies and hence you must not feed them whole to your baby. Instead, you can feed them in paste, puree or powder form.
6. Once you are confident that your baby is well-adjusted to consuming hazelnuts, you can add it to their regular foods such as porridges and mashes to add a nutritional boost to their food intake.
7. It is always good to feed nuts like hazelnuts during the day and avoid feeding them at night. This will allow for easier digestion. Also, if the baby is developing allergic reactions, parents will get enough time and a chance to get immediate medical attention for the baby.

Can Babies Drink Hazelnut Juice?

Introducing hazelnut juice to your baby before they turn 12 months old would not be a good idea. Due to various concerns, hazelnut juice is not recommended for babies under one year of age.

Babies need energy-dense foods that provide them with energy and all the nutrients they need to grow. Experts and pediatricians recommend limiting or avoiding the intake of juices since these can reduce the amount of nutrient intake by increasing the quantity of water they drink in the form of juice.

Hazelnut milk is also a strict no-no for babies at least until they are a year old. Babies under a year should continue drinking their mother’s milk and formula (after consulting with the pediatrician)

[Read : The 3-Day Wait Rule For Babies To Introduce Solids]

Top 5 Benefits of Hazelnuts For Babies

There are several benefits of hazelnuts for babies. Some of them are discussed below:

1. Promote Overall Growth And Development

Hazelnuts provide your baby with the required amount of fats, fiber, vitamin E, proteins, potassium, and magnesium, promoting growth.

2. Help in Brain Development

Omega-3 fatty acid is present in hazelnuts which helps in the vital development of a baby’s brain and cognitive functioning. It not just sharpens babies’ memory but also boosts their learning power.

3. Strengthen the Immune System

Vitamin E, which is present in hazelnuts, helps strengthen the immune system. It protects babies against infections and chronic illnesses.

4. Support Bone Health

Calcium and Phosphorus are excellent sources of minerals in hazelnuts. These minerals may assist in the crucial building of strong bones and teeth in babies during their initial period of growth.

5. Prevent Constipation

Hazelnuts are an excellent source of fiber content that may help regulate babies’ bowel movements. It helps in preventing constipation and improves digestive health.

Side Effects of Hazelnuts For Babies

Yes, hazelnuts can cause side effects in some babies. Being a nut, hazelnut can lead to nut allergies in some babies. Here are some of the side effects in babies.

1. Babies allergic to nuts may show symptoms such as skin reddening, rashes, irritation, hives, and other forms of skin allergies, digestion-related issues such as gas, bloating, indigestion, diarrhea, and vomiting, and breathing-related issues such as wheezing and shortness of breath.

2. Some babies may also exhibit symptoms of an oral allergy syndrome such as itching and tingling in the mouth and sometimes a burning sensation too. OAS is usually short-lived and may resolve on its own.

Hazelnuts are an excellent source of dietary fibers, fats, proteins, Vitamin E, and minerals which aid in a baby’s overall growth and development. Introducing hazelnuts to babies can be a nutritious and beneficial addition to their diet. Still, it’s crucial to do so with proper care and caution to avoid any unnecessary complications. 

FAQ’s

1. Can Hazelnuts Help Babies Poop?

Yes, Hazelnuts can help babies poop. These nuts are an excellent source of dietary fiber and help regulate bowel movement and thus may help in reducing constipation in babies.

Read Also: Almonds For Babies – When to Introduce, Benefits and Precautions