Content Creator Celia PrawitaChocolates are a popular food enjoyed by many. It’s sweet – or sometimes bittersweet – taste paired with its smooth texture is a treat. You might enjoy it a lot as well and wonder, when can your little one have a taste, too? Is it safe for your baby to eat chocolate?
The short answer is that it is best to avoid giving chocolate to your baby before they turn two. We’ll dive into them in the article below.
Concerns for Giving Chocolates to Your Baby
Sugar and Caffeine
Chocolates contain refined sugar which lacks the nutrients babies need and it is important for babies to develop their palates to healthy foods. Chocolates also contain caffeines. Adults could process caffeine more effectively and give us the benefit of alertness or feeling refreshed. But the same can’t be said for babies. Their body does not handle caffeine like adults do and instead may cause your baby to be jittery, anxious, restless or irritable.
Allergy Concerns
Chocolates contain many ingredients other than cocoa. Cocoa allergy – though rare – is possible. Signs may include eczema, difficulty breathing, diarrhoea and vomiting. Chocolates might also contain other ingredients that’s been known to be allergens such as nuts, milk and wheat. It is important to read the labels before giving it to your children. If you are unsure, it is best to discuss with your paediatricians.
When to Introduce Chocolates to Your Baby
Of course there will be a time when you’ll want to introduce this tasty food to your baby. As mentioned above, it is best to wait until your baby reaches two years old. Other than the concerns for high sugar and caffeine, chocolate often includes various ingredients. When introducing new food, it is best to introduce one at a time. Chocolates may contain many different ingredients which means you’ll be introducing many new foods at the same time when introducing chocolate.
If you choose to introduce chocolate to your baby, be careful of choking hazards if you’re giving them a piece of chocolate bar. Dark chocolate tends to have lower sugar content than milk chocolate, but has a higher amount of caffeine. Consider giving chocolate milk to your baby as their chocolate introduction. Be mindful, though, as milk should not be introduced before your baby turns one years old. If your baby shows no allergic reaction to milk, you can then try to give them chocolate milk. When giving something new, you should always look out for any reactions.
Have you introduced chocolate to your little one? We’d love to hear your experience!
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Disclaimer : The statements on this blog are provided for educational purposes only. The author does not in any way guarantee or warrant the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any message and will not be held responsible for the content of any message. Always seek advice from a qualified health care provider for any question or medical advice.
