Jeera, or cumin, is a spice with a lot of traditional significance. It is present in most Indian homes and is known for its many medicinal properties. It has a nice aroma and a distinct flavor. Like jeera, jeera water also has many benefits. So if you are planning to feed it to your little one, you are not alone.
Here is everything you need to know about giving jeera water to babies.
A Few Words About Cumin
Did you know that most of the herbs and spices in your kitchen cabinet have medicinal properties? Think saunf, ajwain, heeng etc. Many are known to be natural medicines with several health benefits if used properly. Jeera, or cumin, is just one of these beneficial products.
Jeera belongs to the parsley family and comes from a plant known as Cuminum cyminum. They are the dried seeds of this plant. It is commonly used in everyday life all over India. It is often added to food dishes to give it some extra flavor. It is also often eaten after a meal as a mouth freshener. And like mentioned above, it has many health benefits.
Is Jeera Water Good For Infants?
Jeera water is not only safe for infants to have, but it is also downright beneficial. Drinking jeera water can give your baby all the health benefits of jeera. It can even sometimes be used as medicine.
It can be used to prevent and cure digestive problems in babies, which any mother knows is a nightmare to deal with. It also prevents inflammation in babies.
If your baby is experiencing any digestive issues like vomiting or symptoms of vomiting such as nausea, giving them some jeera water can give them relief.
Jeera water can also provide relief if they are suffering from a viral infection.
Related Reading: Ajwain Water For Babies- Benefits, Methods And More
When Can Jeera Water Be Given To A Baby?
You can start giving your baby jeera water any time after they become six months old. However, you should start in moderation so that they can get used to it. You can start by feeding them 2-3 teaspoons of cumin water around 2 or 3 times per week.
Slowly, after the child gets used to it, you can increase the amount to about 2-3 tablespoons. This is for when the baby is less than one year old.
After the baby becomes a year old, you can again increase the amount to a quarter cup per day 3 or 4 times a week.
Can jeera water trigger allergy in babies?
While it is certainly possible that the baby is allergic to cumin seeds, or jeera, it is also incredibly rare. So it is most likely that you have absolutely nothing to worry about. However, if there is a family history of such allergies, or if the baby is sensitive to a certain food, then you have to be more cautious.
As with most foods, it is best to introduce jeera water to the baby by using the 3-day rule. Start small, with only one teaspoon on the first day. Give two teaspoons on the second day and three teaspoons on the third day. This will help you observe the baby and understand if they experience any adverse effects due to jeera water.
Some of the symptoms you have to watch out for are:
- Itchy rashes
- Burning sensation in the mouth
- Pain in the abdomen
- Shortness of breath
- Swelling of the face
If any of this happens, take the baby to the doctor immediately.
Benefits Of Jeera Water For Babies
Jeera water for babies is not a new thing- in many cultures across the world cumin is the first spice introduced to babies at an early age. Cumin seeds have many medicinal benefits. Here are the top 9 benefits of jeera water for babies.
1. Cumin is an excellent source of Iron
Cumin is an excellent source of Iron. Jeera water made from one teaspoon of jeera satisfies around 12 percent of daily required iron for babies from seven months to one year old. This is a very important factor when it comes to giving jeera water for babies.
Until six months, we don’t have to worry about the iron intake of babies. They have born with sufficient iron storage to run for the first six months of their life. They also receive iron through breast milk and fortified formula. However, as the baby grows, the iron requirement increases.
Related Reading: When And How To Use Hing For Babies?
Hence it is important to include iron-rich food in their everyday menu. Jeera water for babies is an excellent means to improve iron intake and reduce the risk of anemia.
2. Helps to fight against viral and bacterial infections
Babies tend to explore and understand the world and things around them more through the mouth! Thus they tend to directly contact all sorts of microbes- both good and bad! Which includes tasting everything.
Cumin is well known for its antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-fungal properties.
Cuminaldehyde, a compound present in jeera, is found to fight against a whole range of bacteria. Giving jeera water for babies helps to fight against all common bacterial, viral, and fungal infections.
3. Strengthens the respiratory system
The anti-inflammatory properties of cumin seeds help to fight off breathing issues in babies. More often, the breathing issue happens due to inflammation in the lungs. Giving jeera water for babies helps to reduce inflammation and clear the airway.
4. Jeera water for babies to boost their immunity
Studies have proved the immunity-boosting property of cumin. Cumin seeds are loaded with antioxidants. They also have a significant amount of vitamin C.
Apart from studies, there is anecdotal evidence too that jeera or cumin make the immune system better equipped to fight off infections.
Therefore giving jeera water for babies helps to improve their immunity. This is very important because immunity levels in babies are pretty low.
5. Jeera water can boost digestion
Studies have shown that cumin seeds boost digestion by stimulating the production of pancreatic enzymes. This, in turn, helps to break down the complex proteins, fats, and sugars in a baby’s food.
This is very important as in normal course, babies digestive system is still not fully developed. That is why babies are prone to colic. Therefore, giving jeera water for babies helps relieve digestive issues like indigestion, stomach ache, and gas, common in babies.
6. Ease constipation
Cumin seeds have laxative properties. Therefore giving jeera water for babies helps to alleviate the annoying issue of constipation.
Related Reading: How To Use Orange Juice For Baby Constipation (10 Months & Above)
7. Improves appetite
Giving jeera water for babies helps to combat loss of appetite. As the cumin seeds improve digestion and metabolism, drinking jeera water helps improve babies’ appetite.
8. Improves brain health
Cumin seeds are loaded with riboflavin, vitamin B6, niacin, and zeaxanthin. All these minerals and vitamins are important for the proper functioning of the brain. In other words, these elements can be considered brain food. Drinking jeera water and thus helps to nourish the brain cells of the baby.
9. Helps to improve sleep
Hypnotic and tranquilizing property of essential oil in cumin seed helps the baby to sleep well at night. Besides, melatonin, the sleep-regulating hormone in jeera and iron and magnesium (minerals that regulate brain activity), helps the baby fall asleep fast.
Related Reading: 8 Indian Home Remedies For Baby Sleep
What Are The Potential Side Effects Of Jeera Water For Babies?
There are no proven potential side effects of jeera water for babies. However, it is important to stick to the dosage that is mentioned earlier in this article. In very rate cases, a baby can be allergic to this spice.
How To Make Jeera Water For Babies?
Cumin as a spice can be added to almost every vegetable and curry you make. You can add cumin powder to the khichdi and dal you prepare for baby. Making jeera water for babies is quite an easy process.
- Take two cups of water in a pan.
- To this, add one teaspoon of cumin seeds. You can also add half a teaspoon of cumin seed powder instead of whole seeds
- Now bring the water to boil and then simmer for five minutes
- Close the pan with a lid
- You can see the water turns to golden yellow color
- You will also get that distinct aroma of the cumin seeds
- Now turn off the stove
- Strain the water
- Let the cumin water gets cool to room temperature
- Use the jeera water within 24 hours after preparing it
Jeera Water for Babies – A Few Things to Follow
- It is very important to check with the baby’s doctor before giving any new food, especially herbs and spices with medicinal value, to your baby
- Overconsumption of anything can trigger issues. As the baby’s body reacts fast to issues, it is important to give only the proposed amount of jeera water for babies
- For making jeera water for babies, always choose husk-free organic cumin seeds. This will eliminate the risk of chemical contamination
- When it comes to giving jeera water for babies, always start with a small amount. You can gradually increase the quantity to the recommended level
- Never add sweetener to jeera water, especially for babies below 12 months. Always give plain cumin water to reap the benefits
Conclusion
Cumin is a common kitchen ingredient found in all Indian homes. Now you know the amazing health benefits of jeera water and how beneficial jeera water is for babies. You can easily turn a gassy and colicky baby into a happy baby by giving him a few spoons of jeera water.