Food guide
Flaxseed
Flaxseed is a nutritional superfood that can be introduced at 6 months as soon as your baby is comfortable with simple purees. Because the seeds themselves are a choking hazard, they must always be served in ground form.
How to serve at this age
6-9 months: Stir a teaspoon of ground flaxseed meal into fruit purees or breastmilk/formula porridge. 9-12 months: Mix into yogurt, cottage cheese, or oatmeal to add healthy fats. 12+ months: Sprinkle over pancakes, muffins, or savory casseroles for a nutritional boost.
Nutrition
Flaxseeds are one of the best plant-based sources of Omega-3 fatty acids, which are crucial for brain and eye development. They also offer a good dose of protein and fiber, which helps support healthy bowel movements. These tiny seeds pack a significant nutritional punch in very small servings.
A note from the editors
Store your flaxseed meal in the refrigerator or freezer to keep it fresh and prevent the healthy oils from oxidizing.
Good to know
Never feed whole flaxseeds to a baby as they pose a high choking risk and will pass through the digestive system undigested. Always use freshly ground flaxseed meal, as the oils in pre-ground seeds can turn rancid quickly.
