Introducing babies to spices during the 6-12 month "flavor window" can support the development of a diverse palate and long-term food acceptance. By offering small amounts of mild, age-appropriate spices alongside familiar foods, parents can encourage adventurous eating habits without overwhelming their child’s developing digestive system.
During your baby's first year, there’s a unique opportunity to influence their food preferences for life. By offering a variety of mild spices and flavors early on, you can help them become more adventurous eaters over time.
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Between six and twelve months, your baby enters a special phase for sensory development—often called the “flavor window.” During this time, little ones tend to be more open to trying new and different tastes.
While solid foods are often seen as the beginning of mealtime exploration, flavor exposure actually begins even earlier. Compounds from the foods eaten during pregnancy or while breastfeeding can pass through to your baby, offering a subtle preview of what's to come.
Once you start solids, offering safe, age-appropriate spices can help support your baby’s growing flavor curiosity and build a strong foundation for future eating habits.
Studies from places like the Monell Chemical Senses Center suggest that regular early exposure to a variety of flavors can positively affect how children accept foods, especially vegetables, as they grow.
Including small amounts of mild spices during this early stage can help widen your baby’s palate and potentially encourage more adventurous food choices later in life. 💡 Quick Tip: It won’t prevent pickiness altogether, but early variety builds confidence.
Try warming, well-seasoned dishes like our easy-to-make Curried Lentil Tomato Soup to gently introduce new tastes.
Around seven months, many babies show eagerness to try different textures and flavors. But by the time they reach two years old, it's common for toddlers to enter a phase called food neophobia—when they become more hesitant about unfamiliar foods.
Introducing gentle spices and flavors before this phase can help build a sense of familiarity. That doesn’t mean you need fancy meals—even small additions make a big impact over time.
To begin, try adding a pinch of these safe and easy-to-find spices to your baby’s favorite purées:
👶 Parent Tip: Small spice introductions help build trust and familiarity with new foods.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends starting solids around six months. Once your baby has accepted and tolerated single-ingredient foods, it’s generally fine to begin offering small amounts of mild spices.
Just like new foods, new flavors should be introduced one at a time, so you can watch closely for any reactions.
Your baby is likely ready to try new flavors if they’re showing the same readiness cues you’d look for with solids:
💡 Quick Tip: Flavor doesn't need to wait—safe spices can elevate even basic baby food.
When introducing spices, the key is to start small and take it slow. Giving your baby’s taste buds time to adjust also helps you recognize any possible sensitivities.
Begin with no more than a tiny pinch—around 1/8 teaspoon per 4-ounce serving of food. Always mix a new spice into a food your baby has already tried and tolerated.
Follow the 3–5 day rule between new additions:
👶 Parent Tip: Keep a simple flavor diary to track what your baby tries and likes.
You don’t need many spices to start adding interest to your baby’s meals. Focus on variety over quantity.
Always choose 100% pure, single-ingredient spices. Avoid blends with added salt, sugar, or preservatives.
💡 Quick Tip: Ceylon cinnamon is gentler than Cassia and better for frequent use.
Spices like cayenne or hot chili powder contain capsaicin, which can overwhelm baby’s sensitive systems.
Instead, opt for mild blends like those in Baby Red Curry Chicken.
Salt: Babies under 12 months should get less than 1 gram per day. That amount is typically met through breast milk or formula.
Sugar: Avoid added sugars for babies under 2. Use spices like cinnamon or ginger to add natural sweetness.
Consider holding off on the following for now:
A red rash around your baby’s mouth can result from direct skin contact with certain spices, like cinnamon. These reactions often look concerning but are usually harmless and fade quickly.
Keep a simple log of what you offer and how your baby reacts. Call your pediatrician if you notice:
Seek emergency care if you notice any of the following:
👶 Parent Tip: When in doubt, pause and talk to your pediatrician. Safety and joy go hand in hand on your baby's flavor journey.
Written by: Jessica Facussé, Co-founder of Little Lunches, chef trained at the International Culinary Center, Harvard Business School graduate, and one of Bloomberg’s Top 100 Innovators in Latin America.
Sources:
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) - "Starting Solid Foods"
Solid Starts - "Cinnamon"
World Health Organization (WHO) - "Feeding and nutrition of infants and young children"
American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI) - "Spice Allergy"
Monell Chemical Senses Center - "Early Flavor Learning"
6 days ago
