FirstNom
Nuts & seeds
Hemp seeds for babies
Hulled hemp seeds are soft, mild and need no preparation at all — sprinkle them on anything. They carry complete protein and a good omega-3 profile.
When can babies have hemp seeds?
From around 6 months, hulled, sprinkled onto food. Hemp seed contains no meaningful THC and is not psychoactive.
How do you serve hemp seeds to a baby?
The shape is what makes a food safe, and it changes as your baby’s grip and chewing change. Find your baby’s age band.
-
6–8 months
A teaspoon of hulled hemp seeds stirred into porridge, yogurt or vegetable purée. No soaking or grinding needed.
-
9–11 months
Sprinkled onto food, or blended into smoothies.
-
12–18 months
Sprinkled on anything, in baking, in smoothies.
-
18–24 months
As the family uses them.
Prep tip
Hemp is the one seed that needs nothing done to it — no grinding, no soaking. A teaspoon on top of whatever is already on the tray.
Storage
Refrigerate after opening. The high unsaturated fat content means they go rancid at room temperature within a few months.
Is hemp seeds a choking hazard for babies?
Hulled hemp seeds are soft and small and pose very little risk — unlike most seeds, they do not need grinding or soaking. Unhulled hemp seeds are harder and should be avoided.
Whatever you serve, stay within arm’s reach, keep your baby upright in a supportive seat, and never let them eat in a moving car, buggy or carrier. Gagging is loud and normal. Choking is silent.
Is hemp seeds a common allergen?
Hemp seed is not one of the nine common allergens, though reactions have been reported. Introduce it on its own as you would any new food.
Is hemp seeds healthy for babies?
Hemp seeds carry complete protein — all essential amino acids — at around 30% by weight, plus a good omega-3 to omega-6 ratio, high magnesium and useful iron and zinc. Because they are soft and need no processing, they are the easiest seed to add to a baby's food.
| Protein (complete) | Very high |
|---|---|
| Omega-3 (ALA) | High |
| Magnesium | Very high |
| Iron (non-heme) | High |
| Zinc | Good source |
| Iron per serving | ~1 mg |
Common questions about hemp seeds
Do hemp seeds contain THC?
No meaningful amount. Food-grade hulled hemp seeds are from a variety bred for negligible THC and are not psychoactive. They are sold as an ordinary food.
Hemp, chia or flax?
Hemp for protein and convenience, chia for calcium and fibre, flax for the highest ALA. Rotating all three is easy and cheap.
Reference material
Guidance on this page follows the sources listed below.
Foods parents look at next
Nuts & seeds
Chia seeds
Always soaked, never dry — they swell dramatically and that is the whole safety issue.
Nuts & seeds
Flaxseed
Only useful ground — whole flaxseed passes straight through.
Nuts & seeds
Pumpkin seeds
One of the highest plant iron and zinc sources — ground for babies.
Grains
Oatmeal
An iron-fortified porridge is one of the simplest ways to hit a 6-month-old's iron target.