With Pancake Day fast approaching, parents across the UK will be getting prepared to make them for their children but did you know babies as young as six months can enjoy them too?

However, before picking the toppings, experts warn that some popular choices could be harmful to babies.

To help parents make the best choices, we’ve teamed up with paediatric dietitian Lucy Upton from The Children’s Dietitian and Dr Deborah Lee from Dr Fox Online Pharmacy to highlight the most dangerous pancake toppings for babies, six nutritious alternatives, signs of pancake allergies in children and common mistakes to avoid. 

Paediatric Dietitian reveals the six best pancake toppings for babies and toddlers

Paediatric dietitian Lucy Upton from The Children’s Dietitian has advised against popular toppings like sugar with lemon, chocolate spread and golden syrup due to the high sugar content. But don’t worry Lucy Upton has shared the six best pancake toppings that are safe and nutritious for babies and toddlers:

1. Fruit – Packed with antioxidants and fibre

There are lots of different types of fruits you could include from banana sliced on top or in your mix, to blueberries and strawberries which are a great source of antioxidants and loved by the brain. Stewed apple or pear which are both great sources of fibre or frozen fruit warmed up and mashed, a budget friendly option. All are a great source of vitamins, minerals, fibre and plant chemicals that support health. Ensure fruits are chopped appropriately for your babies weaning stage.

2. Plain yogurt – A source of protein and calcium

A plain greek or natural yogurt is a fantastic way to add calcium, protein and healthy fats. It also supports gut health and makes a great alternative to cream.

3. Spices like cinnamon or vanilla – Natural sweetness without the sugar

Sprinkle these onto pancakes, mix them into the batter, or stir them into yoghurt for added flavour and variety without the need for added sugar.

4. A drizzle of smooth peanut or nut butter – Healthy fats, protein and fibre

Nut butters are a great source of nutrients for babies and toddlers. For toddlers, you can even mix a small amount of cocoa powder diluted with water into a smooth nut butter as a healthier alternative to chocolate spread. Don’t offer a spoonful of nut butter directly from a spoon to babies as this can be a choking risk.

5. Frozen banana or orange – A healthier ‘ice cream’

Love ice cream on your pancakes? Why not try a ‘nice’ cream - blended frozen banana or frozen clementine segments to an ice-cream consistency.

6. Seeds as sprinkles – For added texture, fibre and nutrients

Sprinkle seeds like desiccated coconut or hemp seeds over pancakes to add extra texture, fibre and extra nutrients.

Doctor explains which pancake toppings to avoid for babies

While it’s completely safe for babies from six months to have pancakes, it’s the toppings that parents should be worried about warns Dr Deborah Lee from Dr Fox Online Pharmacy “Honey should not be given to children under the age of one as bacteria in honey can cause infant botulism.” 

According to the NHS, infant botulism occurs when a baby ingests bacterial spores found in contaminated soil or food, such as honey. These spores are harmless to older children and adults as the body develops defences against them from around the age of one.

Dr Deborah Lee also warns against adding salt or sugar to baby and toddler meals, stating, “This is dangerous as food with a high salt content raises blood pressure and puts stress on kidney function. Too much salt in babyhood can lead to a predilection for more salt in adult life. Babies should have less than 1g of salt per day – that's one-quarter of a teaspoon. Do not add salt to a baby’s or a toddler's pancakes. This means not adding salty foods like bacon or sausage.”

She adds, “Babies should not have added sugar. They tend to like sugar from an early age as milk is slightly sweet.”

The NHS also advises that babies do not need sugar, avoiding sugary snacks will help prevent tooth decay. 

Could your child be allergic to pancake ingredients like egg, flour and cow’s milk? A doctor explains the signs

Introducing new foods to babies can be a worry for parents, but paediatric dietitian Lucy Upton from The Children’s Dietitian explains, “Pancakes are a great option for babies and young children that can be loaded with extras (on top, or even in the batter) to pack in lots of nutrition. You can easily cut fluffy pancakes into strips, or roll crêpes up and cut into pinwheels to help your little ones get stuck in.”

Signs to watch out for if your child is allergic to three common pancake ingredients, eggs, flour and milk:

Dr Deborah Lee from Dr Fox Online Pharmacy explains that if your baby has an egg allergy, “The baby may develop a red bumpy rash around the mouth soon after eating the egg and may be reluctant to eat it.”

A flour (wheat) allergy can vary in severity, “from mild with a rash around the mouth, to a severe form of anaphylaxis with breathing difficulty, wheezing, facial swelling and collapse. Severe allergies are rare.”

Common signs of a cow’s milk allergy include diarrhoea or constipation, bloating, excess wind, colic and a rash.

Dr Lee advises, “For best results, from the age of 6 months, introduce your baby to egg, flour and cow’s milk one at a time before you give them a pancake, so you feel sure they have not had any reaction to each of them.”

Paediatric dietitian Lucy Upton adds, “Crêpe or fluffy pancakes both work well and can be made with flour, eggs and milk. If your little one has food allergies, they can still be involved, substitute milk for a milk alternative like soy or oat and eggs for an egg replacer like flax or chia eggs. Some recipes are egg free, using baking powder and other raising agents.”

If your baby has a severe allergic reaction, you should immediately contact a healthcare provider.

Doctor reveals three common mistakes parents should avoid when introducing pancakes to babies 

Introducing pancakes to your baby can be exciting but it’s important to avoid common mistakes to keep things safe. Dr Deborah Lee from Dr Fox Online Pharmacy shares three key mistakes to steer clear of.

1. Raw pancakes

Dr Deborah Lee advises, “It’s uncommon but raw egg can cause salmonella. Always cook the pancakes thoroughly. Always choose eggs with the Red Lion safety stamp, which ensures they have been obtained from hens vaccinated against salmonella.”

2. Burnt pancakes

“Never give a baby burnt food as the charred areas are toxic and even carcinogenic.”

3. Cooking the pancake near your baby

“Half of all serious burns occur in children under 2. Ensure they cannot grab the frying pan and that the pancake cannot burn their fingers or lips. And make sure the pancake has cooled before they eat it.”

By avoiding these common mistakes, parents can ensure Pancake Day is a safe and enjoyable experience for their baby.

Check out our baby weaning products to find everything you need for your baby weaning journey from baby tableware and baby cutlery to baby bibs and food storage pots.

We're partnering with Fareshare to help fund meals for children in need, per every pack of participating ‘Good Square Meal’ tableware sold. Please see the Good Square Meal page on our website for full terms and conditions.