Age Suggestion
6 months
Iron-Rich
No
Common Allergen
No
Allspice may be introduced as soon as baby is ready to start solids, which is generally around 6 months of age. Allspice essential oil should be avoided for babies, as limited research is available on its safety in infants and young children.
Allspice comes from the dried berry of a tropical tree that originated in Central America and the Caribbean, where the spice is known as pimento. Its name in English hints at its flavor: allspice tastes like a combination of cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Warm and complex, allspice can be used as whole dried berries or ground into powder to season sweet or savory dishes, as well as spice blends. It is a key ingredient in jerk seasoning and other spice blends.
Every baby develops on their own timeline, and the suggestions on how to cut or prepare particular foods are generalizations for a broad audience.
Sprinkle a tiny amount of ground allspice on age-appropriate foods like chicken drumsticks, spiced plantains, or strips of buttery toast. When adding finely ground allspice directly to baby’s portion, start small: Allspice has a powerful flavor, and using too much can overpower other ingredients in a dish. You can also use whole allspice berries to flavor marinades, pickles, and sauces to share with baby—just make sure to minimize the risk of choking by removing the berries before serving.
Use allspice as desired in the child’s meals. Use it in combination with other ingredients to create rich sauces, season batters and baked goods, and much more. You can also use whole allspice berries to flavor marinades, pickles, and sauces—just make sure to remove the berries before serving.
Not sure what food to try next? Have a look at our guide, 50 Fantastic First Foods for Babies.
Yes, whole allspice berries could be a choking hazard, and the food seasoned with the spice can be as well, although ground allspice does not pose a high choking risk in amounts typically used in cooking. To reduce the risk, remove whole allspice berries or finely grind the allspice before serving food to baby. As always, make sure you create a safe eating environment and stay within an arm’s reach of baby during meals. For more information on choking, visit our sections on gagging and choking and familiarize yourself with the list of common choking hazards.
No. Allergies to allspice ingestion are rare, but delayed contact allergy to allspice has been reported. Note that certain spice blends that feature allspice may contain common food allergens, so make sure to read labels thoroughly.
Spices can cause reactions similar to allergic symptoms. For example, inhaling a puff of powdered allspice can irritate the nasal passageways and trigger sneezing and coughing, but this response may not be an allergic reaction.
Foods with spices like allspice may cause a harmless rash around the mouth while baby eats or may cause or worsen diaper rash. To help prevent contact rashes, apply a thin layer of barrier ointment (such as pure petroleum jelly or a plant-based oil/wax balm) to baby’s face and bottom before mealtime.
Individuals who have a known contact allergy to Balsam of Peru, tea tree, or cloves may also be sensitive to prolonged or recurrent skin contact with allspice. This type of allergy generally does not require strict avoidance of allspice in the diet.
While cross-reactivity can potentially occur between allspice and other members of its botanical family, including gum tree, clove, cajeput tree (melaleuca or tea tree), and guava, data is limited.
As you would when introducing any new food, start by offering a small quantity for the first few servings. If there is no adverse reaction, gradually increase the quantity over future meals.
Yes. Allspice is generally recognized as safe in amounts typically used in cooking. Allspice can also come in the form of essential oil, which should be avoided for babies, as research on its safety is limited.
Yes. Allspice offers small amounts of various vitamins, minerals, and fiber, as well as plant compounds like eugenol, ericifolin, gallic acid, and more, which have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer effects.
Allspice essential oil should be avoided for babies, as limited research is available on its safety in infants and young children.
No. Allspice is not generally considered to be a food that directly helps with pooping since it is consumed in small amounts in the diet. However, spices like allspice help play a role in supporting baby’s rapidly developing gut microbiome (the bacteria and microorganisms in baby’s intestines), which can help support healthy digestion overall. Remember that pooping patterns can vary significantly from baby to baby. If you have concerns about baby's pooping and digestion, learn more about when to worry about baby’s poop and, as always, talk to your pediatric healthcare provider.
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