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herbs and spicesFrom 6 months

Mint

First taste
6 months
Choking risk
low
Common allergen
no
Iron
low

Chop fine · whole leaf after 24 months

Gluten-freeVegan

When can babies eat mint?

You can offer mint once baby is ready for solids, usually around 6 months.

Mint belongs to a large plant family. Chocolate mint, orange mint, peppermint and spearmint are just some of the types. They share a bright scent and a cooling, mildly sweet taste. That is why mint shows up in everything from candy to savory dishes to teas.

Mint contributes fiber, iron, calcium, folate and vitamin A, and a small amount of vitamin C as well. These support bone density, blood health, the nervous system, vision and immunity. It also carries antioxidant compounds such as menthol and rosmarinic acid.

How do you prepare mint for babies?

General tips

Offer mint in small amounts, inside or on top of food. Chopped mint is an easy way for baby to meet a new herb flavor. In the early months leaf bits sticking in the mouth is normal. If baby spits, it is part of learning the texture.

Preparation by age

The same food is served differently at each age. What matters is how your baby sits, grasps and chews, more than the calendar.

6 months

6 months · How to mix into foodmash

Cut: Finely chopped

Chop fresh mint very fine and stir it into soft foods baby can scoop, such as yogurt or vegetable mash. You can also work it into finger foods such as big soft meatballs or fritters. Another option is to blend mint into a sauce and drizzle it over baby's food.

9 months

9 months · How to prepare as small bits or thin ribbonscube

Chop mint into small bits or thin ribbons. Mix it into dishes, or offer it alone so the child can taste it. Leaf bits may stick inside the mouth. If gagging or coughing happens, offer a few sips of water. Expect lots of spitting while baby works out the leaf's tricky texture. After about 18 months, as molars come in, spitting drops and eating more mint follows.

12 months

12 months · How to serve choppedcube

Keep adding chopped mint to dishes, salad dressings and sauces. Try a whole raw mint leaf, or dishes with large leaf pieces, only after 24 months, once the child can bite and tear off larger pieces.

Is mint a choking hazard for babies?

Choking risk: low

Mint is low risk. Leaf bits can cling inside the mouth and cause gagging or coughing, so chop it fine.

Mint is low risk when prepared to suit the child's age and development. In theory any food can cause choking. Chop mint to fit the age and stay beside baby, within arm's reach, during the whole meal.

Is mint a common allergen?

Food allergy to mint is not common. Children who react to relatives in the Lamiaceae (mint) family, like basil, lavender, marjoram, sage or thyme, need extra care, because these plants are close kin of mint.

As with any new food, start with a small amount for the first servings. If there is no reaction, raise the amount slowly at later meals.

Key nutrients

FiberCalciumIronFolateVitamin AVitamin C

Frequently asked questions about mint

Can I give a baby mint tea?

The source only describes serving fresh mint in food. It has no information on tea, so ask your pediatrician.

My baby spits out mint, is that normal?

Yes. Babies spit a lot while learning the leaf's tricky texture. After about 18 months, as molars come in, spitting drops.

Sources for this page

  1. Tafrihi M, Imran M, Tufail T, Gondal TA, Caruso G, Sharma S, et al. (2021). The Wonderful Activities of the Genus Mentha: Not Only Antioxidant Properties. Molecules. doi:10.3390/molecules26041118
  2. Benito M, Jorro G, Morales C, Peláez A, Fernández A. (1996). Labiatae Allergy: Systemic Reactions Due to Ingestion of Oregano and Thyme. Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. doi:10.1016/S1081-1206(10)63456-4
  3. Szema AM, Barnett T. (2011). Allergic Reaction to Mint Leads to Asthma. Allergy and Rhinology. doi:10.2500/ar.2011.2.0008
  4. Dünya Sağlık Örgütü. (2023). Guideline for complementary feeding of infants and young children 6-23 months of age.

Guides on iron, allergen introduction, gagging and drinks. Read the starting solids guides

Medical note

This page is for information only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Talk to your pediatrician before any feeding decision, especially about allergen introduction and reactions.

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Astro Tasarım Simay Yenice · Türkiye · merhaba@lokmini.com