No. 99 · Nuts & seeds Passport food
When can babies have hemp seeds?
Can babies have hemp seeds?
Babies can have hemp seeds from about 6 months, stirred into smooth foods at first and used as a coating for soft finger foods from 7–8 months. Hulled hemp seeds, also called hemp hearts, are soft, tiny and low in choking risk, and they add protein, healthy fats and iron to a baby's meals.
How to serve hemp seeds by age
Shapes and textures change as your baby’s grasp and chewing grow.
6 months
Stir about half to one teaspoon of hulled hemp seeds, or hemp hearts ground into a fine powder, into oatmeal, yogurt, mashed avocado or a smooth puree. Offer it on a spoon.
7–8 months
Keep stirring hemp hearts into thicker, lumpier foods like oatmeal or fork-mashed fruit. Hemp hearts are also a great coating for soft, slippery pieces: roll ripe banana, avocado or mango spears in them so baby can hold on.
9–12 months
Keep sprinkling hemp hearts over soft foods, and mix them into pancakes, egg muffins, meatballs or lentil patties. Babies practicing the pincer grasp can pick up hemp-coated soft fruit cubes more easily.
12 months +
Add hemp seeds to smoothies, overnight oats, baked goods, pesto and salads, or let your toddler sprinkle them over their own yogurt. Hemp seed butter can be used as a thin spread like any other seed butter.
Why it’s good
Hemp seeds give babies complete plant protein, healthy fats including the omega-3 fat ALA, iron, magnesium, zinc and phosphorus. Just a spoonful adds a good amount of protein and iron to a meal, which is useful for vegetarian families and for babies who refuse meat. Pairing hemp seeds with a vitamin C food like berries helps iron absorption.
Safety notes
- Choose hulled hemp seeds, often sold as hemp hearts. Whole hemp seeds still in the hard shell are crunchy and harder to manage, so grind them first if that is what you have.
- Food-grade hemp seeds contain only trace amounts of THC and do not cause a high. Buy them from grocery stores, not from shops that sell cannabis or CBD products.
- Do not give babies hemp or CBD oils, gummies or supplements. These are different from hemp seeds and have not been shown to be safe for babies.
- Hemp seeds are rich in fiber and fat, so start with a small sprinkle and build up, which helps avoid loose stools.
- Always seat baby upright and stay within arm's reach while they eat.
A low-allergy food, still worth watching
Hemp seeds are not a Top 9 allergen, and hemp seed allergy is uncommon, though it has been reported. Offer a small amount first and watch for hives, swelling, vomiting or wheezing, especially if your baby has other food allergies.
Hemp seeds for babies: questions parents ask
Quick answers about hemp seeds for babies and toddlers.
When can babies have hemp seeds?
Babies can have hemp seeds from about 6 months, as soon as they are ready for solids. Hulled hemp seeds, or hemp hearts, can be stirred into soft foods at first, and used to coat slippery soft finger foods from 7–8 months.
Can babies have hemp seeds?
Yes, babies can eat hemp seeds, and hemp seeds are one of the easiest seeds to serve because hulled hemp hearts are soft and tiny. Hemp seeds add protein, iron and healthy fats to baby meals.
Are hemp seeds a choking hazard for babies?
Hemp seeds are a low choking risk for babies when they are hulled hemp hearts sprinkled over or mixed into food. Whole hemp seeds in the shell are harder and crunchier, so grind those before serving.
Are hemp seeds a common allergen?
No, hemp seeds are not a common allergen and are not part of the Top 9 food allergens. Allergic reactions to hemp seeds are rare but possible, so watch your baby the first few times.
How do I serve hemp seeds to a 6 month old?
To serve hemp seeds to a 6 month old, stir a small spoonful of hemp hearts, whole or ground, into oatmeal, yogurt or a puree and offer it on a spoon. Start with about half a teaspoon. Rolling soft fruit spears in hemp seeds for better grip can follow at 7–8 months.
Do hemp seeds contain THC?
Hemp seeds sold as food contain only trace amounts of THC and will not make a baby high. THC is found mainly in the flowers and leaves of the cannabis plant, not in the inside of the seed, so choose food-grade hemp hearts from a grocery store.
Are hemp seeds the same as CBD oil?
No, hemp seeds are not the same as CBD oil. Hemp seeds are a food, while CBD oils and hemp extracts are made from other parts of the plant and are not recommended for babies.
Can babies drink hemp milk?
Hemp milk should not replace breast milk or formula before 12 months. After 12 months, hemp milk can be used in cooking, but it is not a complete replacement for whole cow's milk unless your pediatrician or dietitian approves a fortified version.
Are hemp seeds good for babies who do not eat meat?
Hemp seeds are a helpful food for babies who do not eat meat because hemp seeds provide complete protein, iron and zinc. Hemp seeds work best alongside other iron sources like beans, lentils, tofu and iron-fortified cereal.
The takeaway
- Babies can have hemp seeds from about 6 months, stirred into smooth foods at first and used as a coating for soft finger foods from 7–8 months.
- Stir about half to one teaspoon of hulled hemp seeds, or hemp hearts ground into a fine powder, into oatmeal, yogurt, mashed avocado or a smooth puree.
- Choking risk is low. Not a Top 9 allergen, but offer a small amount first and watch for any reaction.
Read next
Sources
This guide follows current advice from these organizations.
- Starting Solid Foods American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org)
- When, What, and How to Introduce Solid Foods Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Choking Hazards Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Iron Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Recipes with hemp seeds
Stamp hemp seeds in your baby’s passport
Track the first 100 foods and the Top 9 allergens. 7 days free.
More nuts and seeds for babies
Updated November 2026. Reviewed by our dietitians. Based on AAP, CDC and NIAID guidance. Written for healthy, full-term babies; not a substitute for your pediatrician. If your baby was born early, has a medical condition, feeding difficulties or a known allergy, check with them first (medical disclaimer). Always stay with your baby while they eat.