Nuts-at what age did you start giving your children them?

[Flier]

I want to start giving my DCs nuts and seeds, but am worried about choking. I wondered at what age others started eating nuts and seeds, ie brazil nuts, sunflowers seeds, etc.

how old are your dcs?

I thought the recommended age was 5 for eating whole nuts (but I think they can be chopped for younger children)

(tbh I avoided all nuts till dd was 5 anyway due to a family history of asthma/exzema/hayfever)

From quite a young age mashed up or blended. (in flapjack type things?!) Whole ones, not so sure about. my 2yr old regularly tries seeds and small broken ,softer nuts. just would never leave him to help himself with anything like that.

oldest is 4.5 and youngest is nearly 2.

We don't have any family history of allergies but I still haven't given ds peanuts yet and he's 2.2. However, dh and I don't eat peanut butter - if we had some in the house would probably be introducing it about now. He has has chopped walnuts and pecans and other nuts, in muffins etc, and seeds as well.

Are seeds actually a problem in terms of allergies?

5 I think.

Ground hazelnuts and almonds are what I use if I need to in cooking, although didn't give them at all before 3.

Oh sorry, you were concerned about choking not allergies! Since they are hard, would only give if chopped into smaller than peanut sized..

I gave ground up nuts and seeds and peanut butter at 9mo. No history of allergies here so I saw no point in withholding what is an excellent source of nutrients. She's been fine, now 2.8 and has ground nuts daily in her cereal, plus loves nibbling on pumpkin and sunflower seeds.

Sunflower seeds whole from about 15mo. She's also had the odd cashew or walnut whole but I watch her like a hawk and she is under strict instructions to chew. If she faffs around then I take it out of her mouth.

If you're worried about allergies do what Nigella does - give them their first peanut etc in the doctor's surgery while waiting for a routine appt.

thanks, not at all worried about allergies, its choking I'm worried about, and I want them both to benefit from the nutrients that nuts and seeds provide (on a healthier eating drive at the mo!)