Cloves

Do not offer clove oils to babies or young children. While sometimes used to ease teething pains, there have been near fatal reports of excess clove oil ingestion.  

Cloves may be introduced as soon as baby is ready to start solids, which is generally around 6 months of age. If cooking with whole cloves, make sure to remove them before serving the food to baby to reduce choking risk. Note that clove oil should be avoided for babies and young children.

Cloves are the dried flower buds of an evergreen tree that originated on the islands of Southeast Asia, where the spice has been used in food and medicine since ancient times. Colonization, migration, and trade introduced clove far beyond its native region, and today the spice is a staple seasoning around the globe. Bittersweet and pungent, clove adds warmth and brightness to sweet and savory cooking in its native region and far beyond, from pho and lapis legit cake in Southeast Asia, to mole and pumpkin pie in the Americas.

Yes. Cloves are generally recognized as safe in amounts typically used in cooking. Do not offer clove essential oil or clove oil to babies and young children. While sometimes used to ease teething pains, there have been many near fatal reports of excess clove oil ingestion.

Yes. Cloves offer small amounts of various vitamins, minerals, and fiber, as well as plant compounds like eugenol that may offer anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer benefits.

Do not offer clove oils to babies or young children. While sometimes used to ease teething pains, there have been many near fatal reports of excess clove oil ingestion.  

No. Allergies to ingestion of cloves are rare, but delayed contact allergy to clove has been reported. Note that certain spice blends that feature cloves 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 clove can irritate the nasal passageways and trigger sneezing and coughing, but this response may not be an allergic reaction.

Foods with spices like cloves 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 or allspice may also be sensitive to prolonged or recurrent skin contact with cloves or clove oil. This type of allergy generally does not require strict avoidance of clove in the diet.

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. Whole cloves are small, round, and very firm, qualities that increase the risk of choking. To reduce the risk, prepare and serve cloves in an age-appropriate way as described in the How to Serve section. As always, make sure you create a safe eating environment and stay within an arm’s reach of baby during meals. 

Learn the signs of choking and gagging and more about choking first aid in our free guides, Infant Rescue and Toddler Rescue.

Knowledge and practice with rescue maneuvers. Parents and caregivers who watch the choking and rescue videos in our Starting Solids bundle often share how confident they feel. 

While a high chair can help create a safe eating environment, there are alternative ways for baby to eat safely, such as holding the child on your lap or sitting together on the floor. For more information, see our article on high chairs.