I am chinese and I am married to a Pakistani guy. We have just started weaning baby (6 months) and started introducing the basics (bananas, rice cereal etc), but he wants me to start giving baby Dahl and curry and other spices so she grows up liking spicy food. He is especially adamant because I did not eat any spice when I was pregnant and or breastfeeding. I am rather opposed to it and I feel spices should not be introduced so early. How do I convince him otherwise? Or should I start introducing curry to baby? He feels like I am shielding our child from his culture by not introducing his food to her. This is ofcourse rubbish, but I do feel there is a right time and place for this and six months is just too young.

With many health benefits, herbs and spices help to add flavor and variety to food without the need for salt, sugar and added flavorings that isn’t as good for us. We as adults use herbs and spices to enhance the natural flavors of the food we eat. Most pediatrics and baby food specialists agree that 6 to 8 months is ideal for the introduction of aromatic spices such as cinnamon, mixed spice, nutmeg, garlic, turmeric, ginger, coriander, dill and cumin. These spices have many benefits, ranging from antioxidant properties to anti-inflammatory properties, immune system improvement and plenty of other benefits too. Hot spices however, such as chili, curry, paprika, cayenne pepper and other pepper based spice are best left until your baby is at least a year old. These spices can trigger reactions, and as they trigger pain receptors in the brain, should be introduced in very small amounts when they are eventually introduced. As a general rule of thumb, it is always a good idea to follow the ‘4 Day Wait rule’ when introducing herbs and spices to your baby’s food. Most herbs and most aromatic spices are mild enough to not typically cause any reactions, but just like any other food you introduce, waiting to see whether your baby is sensitive to the food you are offering is the simplest and safest way to ensure that no food allergies or intolerance is indicated.