Cinnamon may be introduced as soon as your baby is ready to start solids, which is generally around 6 months of age. Note that sometimes cinnamon can cause a harmless rash on skin that it touches, such as near baby’s mouth. Also, inhaling cinnamon powder can also trigger a significant cough reflex and even cause inflammation inside the lungs.    Lastly, learn about the difference between cassia and Ceylon cinnamon. The majority of cinnamon in the American market is cassia cinnamon, which contains more coumarin, a plant compound in cinnamon that can be toxic and cause liver and kidney damage when consumed in large quantities. 

Cinnamon comes from a tropical evergreen tree whose bark and leaves are used to make essential oil and spice. Like all plants, there are different varieties with distinctive aroma, flavor, and texture. Ceylon cinnamon—named after the term that colonizers used for the island of Sri Lanka, the plant’s native home—has a delicate, sweeter flavor than cassia cinnamon, a group of pungent varieties (also called Korintje cinnamon and Saigon cinnamon) from trees that still grow wild in China, Indonesia, Vietnam, and other countries.

That said, humans have been eating Ceylon cinnamon and cassia cinnamon and using both varieties in folk medicine for thousands of years. In fact, you may have tried cassia and not known it. In the United States, companies are not required to identify the variety of cinnamon on the label, and many of the major spice brands market cassia varieties as simply “cinnamon” on the container, including Fresh Direct, Kirkland, McCormick’s, Penzey’s, Trader Joe’s, and Whole Foods’ 365 Everyday Value. Brands are increasingly getting specific with varieties to meet consumer demand, so look for “Ceylon cinnamon” on labels, such as Cinnamon Tree Organics, Frontier Co-Op, and Simply Organics.

★Tip: Not sure if a cinnamon is Cassia or Ceylon? Look at the fine print on the label to see if there is a country of origin. Cinnamon from China, Indonesia, and Vietnam is most likely cassia while cinnamon from Sri Lanka is most likely the Ceylon variety. Mexican cinnamon is often also the prized Ceylon. If the country is not identified, look at the color. Ceylon cinnamon is bronze and noticeably lighter than cassia, which is rustier. The structure of the sticks can also be a clue: Ceylon sticks contain laminated rolls of thin bark, while cassia sticks are thicker with typically just one curled layer.

Yes—in moderation. Just a pinch is enough to add a layer of flavor! It also offers trace amounts of fiber, iron, calcium, manganese, and vitamin K. It may even have antimicrobial, antiparasitic, and antioxidant effects on the body. 

It would be wise to opt for Ceylon cinnamon when possible, and take care with cassia cinnamon varieties to offer just a sprinkle rather than the heaping spoonful. Cassia cinnamon (also called Chinese cinnamon, Indonesian cinnamon, Korintje cinnamon, Padang cinnamon, Saigon cinnamon, and Vietnamese cinnamon) contains more coumarin, a toxic plant compound that may pose health risks when consumed in excess amounts.  Even one teaspoon of cassia cinnamon exceeds the tolerable daily intake of coumarin for adults, according to the European Food Safety Authority—that means just a pinch is plenty for the average-sized baby.  That said, it is unlikely that your baby will consume a ton of cinnamon because it is primarily used to flavor foods in cooking across cultures.

★Tip: Ceylon cinnamon can be more expensive than cassia. If you’re a cinnamon lover, buy both types and reserve Ceylon for recipes that call for lots of this delicious spice! For an occasional sprinkle on your baby’s food, cassia cinnamon varieties are just fine.

No. However, cinnamon is often used to flavor hard fruits, which are choking hazards when served raw. As always, be sure to create a safe eating environment and always stay near your baby during mealtime. Check out our age-appropriate serving suggestions!

For more information, visit our section on gagging and choking and familiarize yourself with common choking hazards.

No. Cinnamon allergy is uncommon, although individuals with asthma may be sensitive to cinnamon if it is inhaled.  A more common occurrence is when cinnamon causes a harmless rash when it comes in contact with skin.  This contact rash is typically an irritant, rather than an allergic, reaction.

As you would when introducing any new food, start by offering a small quantity—just a pinch—with a food that has already been introduced, such as mashed root vegetables, warm cereal, or yogurt. If there is no adverse reaction, gradually increase the quantity over future meals.