Table of contents:

• When can babies eat chocolate?
• What are the health benefits of chocolate?
• What is the best way to introduce chocolate to babies?
• Can I use chocolate powder to make chocolate milk at home?
• Can my baby have chocolate desserts?
• Can Chocolate Be Bad For Your Baby?
• Can a baby be allergic to chocolate?
• When to avoid chocolate for babies?
• Can chocolate cause tooth and gum decay among babies?

We all love Chocolate. And kids cannot have enough of it. Your little one invariably gets attracted to a chocolate bar, and so, it is important to know how soon your baby can get the taste of chocolate. Here, MomJunction tells you when you can make your baby taste the chocolate, and answers several questions about chocolate for babies.

When Can Babies Eat Chocolate?

It is good to wait until your baby is 24 months old because the baby’s digestive system may not be developed enough to process it without an adverse reaction (1). Chocolate also contains caffeine and theobromine, which is a compound related to caffeine.

Theobromine has only one-tenth the effect of caffeine and is a weak stimulant (2). But it is the caffeine content in chocolate that is often a concern, even for infants who are older than six months and are capable of eating other solid foods (3).

However, this should not stop you from giving chocolate to your baby after 24 months, as it has some health benefits.

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Is Chocolate Good For Your Baby?

Yes. Chocolate can benefit your baby in more than one ways. Here are a few::

1. Supports brain functions: Compounds called flavanols, naturally found in chocolate, help boost memory function while also improving general cognitive capabilities (4).

2. Helpful to the circulatory system: Regular consumption of chocolate has shown to improve the performance of the heart and blood vessels. The flavanols found in chocolate also prevent blood clots and improve blood circulation (5).

3. Helps reduce cell damage: Chocolate is rich in antioxidants, which are also found in several fruits and vegetables. These antioxidants minimize natural cell damage and improve the efficiency of various cell functions (6).

4. Can uplift mood: Chocolate stimulates the production of the neurotransmitters called endorphins, which are known to create a feeling of happiness in a person. Another compound called serotonin, known to contribute feelings of well-being and happiness, is also naturally found in chocolate (7).

5. Reduces bad cholesterol levels: You may not worry about cholesterol in babies! But it is still good to know that consumption of chocolate can reduce the levels of LDL cholesterol (the “bad” cholesterol) and increase HDL cholesterol (the “good” cholesterol), (8).

Edible chocolate is available in many forms. So, which one to give your baby?

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[ Read: Ice Cream For Babies ]

What Is The Best Way To Introduce Chocolate To Babies?

Pediatric experts recommend chocolate milk, which is perhaps the safest form of chocolate for babies, over the other forms of chocolate (9). The reason is that on an average, a pre-made, packaged chocolate milk contains only 5mg of caffeine per 8oz (226gm) compared to 160mg found in dark chocolate of the same weight (10). Even milk chocolate contains about 48mg of caffeine in 8oz. Therefore, a baby will have a lesser intake of caffeine when consuming chocolate milk than a chocolate bar.

You can also consider choosing chocolate baby formula, which contains the nutrition of a formula with the flavoring of chocolate. When choosing readymade chocolate milk for the baby, select one with low sugar, no preservatives, and fortified with nutrients.

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Can You Use Chocolate Powder To Make Chocolate Milk At Home?

Yes, you can prepare chocolate milk at home by selecting a chocolate-flavored, malt-based drink or by using plain cocoa powder. Plain cocoa mix/ powder beverage contains about 5mg of caffeine in 6oz (206gm) while a chocolate malt-based drink contains 6mg of caffeine in 8oz (265gm).

Cocoa powder is usually available as an unsweetened plain chocolate powder. It means you can regulate the amount of the sugar added to the milk. However, it does not have any added micronutrients. Choose baby formula and malt-based drinks with less sugar and no added preservatives, as these contain essential micronutrients.

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Can A Baby Have Chocolate Desserts?

Experts state that it is okay for a baby to have an occasional bite from desserts like a dark chocolate bar, chocolate cake, and chocolate pudding. A few bites do not contain enough caffeine to harm the infant.

If you are wondering why we are only talking in favor of feeding chocolate to your baby, then read on.

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[ Read: Benefits Of Raisins For Baby ]

Can Chocolate Be Bad For Your Baby?

There is no scientific evidence to show the negative effects of consuming chocolate. Perhaps the only risks of consuming chocolate are linked to the added sugar and caffeine. Drinking excess of sugar-laden chocolate milk can make a baby overweight or obese. You can avoid that by choosing low-sugar or zero-sugar chocolate beverages.

While the caffeine content in chocolate remains a concern, giving it in limited quantity will ensure that the baby enjoys chocolate without any risks. There is no standard limit on the amount of chocolate a baby can have in a day, but experts recommend no more than 45mg of caffeine a day for a preschooler. So it is probably lesser for toddlers at home.

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Can A Baby Be Allergic To Chocolate?

Yes, a baby can be allergic to chocolate. Chocolate is made from the seed of the Cacao plant, which has the potential to cause an allergic reaction. The indicators of chocolate allergy are similar to other food allergies. Look out for symptoms like skin hives (rashes), stomach cramps, vomiting, nausea, swelling of the face, and lethargy.

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When To Avoid Chocolate For Babies?

There are seldom any adverse effects of moderate chocolate consumption among babies. However, it is best to avoid chocolate in some situations:

1. Before bedtime: Even a small amount of caffeine before bedtime can make it harder for a baby to fall asleep. So, avoid giving chocolate milk or any other chocolate product to the baby a few hours before sleep (11).

2. Irritable bowel syndrome: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is an acute condition characterized by chronic abdominal bloating, stomach cramps and sudden changes in bowel habits. Chocolate is one of the leading foods that can trigger symptoms of IBS (12) and should not be given to babies diagnosed with this problem.

3. Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD): Chocolate can be acidic in nature, and trigger acid reflux in infants with GERD (13).

If your baby has a clinically-proven food allergy, then you must be extra careful about giving chocolate to the baby. You can consult a pediatrician before introducing chocolates in such cases.

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Can Chocolate Cause Tooth And Gum Decay Among Babies?

Excessive consumption of sugar-laden chocolate products can cause tooth decay and gum problems in babies. However, it is to be noted that the added sugar in chocolate beverages is the real culprit and not the chocolate/cocoa itself (14). So, selecting chocolate beverages with low sugar allows your baby to enjoy the taste of chocolate without being exposed to the harmful effects of excess sugar.

[ Read: Sago Recipes For Baby ]

Chocolate is perhaps the most popular flavor among children and adults alike. Unless your baby has medical conditions that can worsen with chocolate consumption, there is no reason why he should stay away from chocolate. Consuming chocolate preferably in the form of milk, and in moderate quantities, is an excellent way to allow your little one to enjoy.

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Does your baby love chocolate? Let us know in the comments section.

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The post When Can Babies Have Chocolate And Does It Cause Any Problems? appeared first on MomJunction.