Almost all kids love chocolate and quite naturally. It’s sweet, and it’s delicious, and there is virtually nothing to not like about it. It is quite apparent that babies would also relish this globally loved snack. However, many parents are concerned about the right time to introduce chocolate to their babies. This may be stemmed out of concerns about health and allergies that can be caused due to chocolates.
While babies enjoy the taste of chocolate, it is best to refrain from giving it to them as it contains a small amount of caffeine. Although not present in quantities enough to affect an adult, for babies this may be more than enough. Caffeine is a stimulant and can increase blood pressure and heart rate.
Chocolate also contains other stimulants like sugar, theobromine, and phenylethylamine, all which can cause stimulating effects in your baby in the nervous system. Moreover, chocolate also has anandamide, which can affect the functioning of the brain.
If you are unsure about at what age can babies eat chocolate, here’s your answer. It is best to wait until your baby is at least a year old before introducing chocolate to him. When you do decide to give your baby chocolate, ensure that there are no potential allergens that can cause reactions. It is also best to start with dark chocolate.
While there are no specific guidelines on how correctly you should be introducing chocolate to your little one, it is best to start with a taste after he is one year old. If he has no negative reaction to it, you can gradually increase the quantity little by little.
You may also want to add some dark chocolate powder to milk and give it babies. Milk should not be introduced to children under one. Always ensure that you check the labels for additives in chocolates.
There isn’t enough evidence to suggest that chocolate can cause an allergy in babies. However, it is possible that chocolate may contain food items that can cause allergies in babies. Some of the potential allergens are:
You can always get the labels for allergy caution before giving chocolate to your baby.
Children with parents or siblings with an allergy are more likely to have allergies. Even though there is no history of allergies at home, you will need to look out for signs and symptoms that indicate an allergy in your baby.
Some signs include:
In such cases, you will need to consult your baby’s doctor right away or reach out to a specialized allergy specialist to treat the condition.
Apart from allergies, there are a few other concerns that you may want to keep in mind when it comes to chocolate and babies consuming chocolate.
It is important to establish a healthy food preference in babies at a young age. While an occasional bite of chocolate may not cause harm, it should only be given in moderation.