Stevia
2 years and up
⚡ Quick answer
Stevia is a plant-based, calorie-free sweetener; because there is insufficient safety data for babies and young children, it is not recommended before age 2.
How to serve it by age?
6-24 months
There is no need to use sweeteners in baby food; no sweetener, including stevia, is recommended.
24+ months
It is recommended that it not be used in young children unless truly necessary, and that natural flavors be preferred.
📌 Watch out for these
- Being calorie-free provides no advantage for babies; the real goal is to never establish a sweet-tooth habit.
- It belongs to the daisy/chrysanthemum family (Asteraceae); people allergic to plants in this family may rarely have a reaction.
- Commercial stevia products are often mixed with other sweeteners (such as erythritol); the ingredient label must always be read.
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⚕️ This page summarizes general pediatric recommendations; it is not medical advice. For babies with a history of allergies and whenever you are unsure, consult your pediatrician.