Abby, My wife and I went to an Indian restaurant the other day and foolishly forgot a toy in the car. I thought quickly and grabbed a cinnamon stick from the spice display and rinsed it out in my water glass (we are pretty laid back on making everything sterile). She played with it for a wile and stuck it in her mouth a few times.

This may have been a bit impulsive, but it is a good sensory experience for Abby. cinnamon sticks have a nice smell and taste and are pretty hard and smooth, which I think makes it an ideal chew toy. I keep a good supply of 4-6 inch sticks in my kitchen. Does anyone know of any reason why I should not give them to my daughter?

Thanks!

I think that it's really cool that you are interested in providing "sensory experiences" for your baby. I really like that phrase and being mindful of how much that babies are exploring the world.

I don't know anything about the nutritional impact of a cinnamon stick, when it can safely be introduced.

My biggest concern would be the potential for a chocking hazard. Little pieces breaking off from the stick might be hard for the baby to handle.

I had the same concern over parts breaking off. I took one of the thicker cinnamon sticks and gave it a good chew. I was not able to break any pieces off unless I really went to town on it. I am sure with her lack of teeth and jaw strength, choking on small bits will not be a problem.

Regarding sensory experiences. Whenever I pull out a spice or herb for cooking, I take the jar and wave it under her nose so she can get a smell. Or I will rub some fresh herbs between my fingers for her to smell. Her face lights up at times when I do this.

It sounds like a good chew toy very similar to the wooden tongue depressors the pediatrician lets the young ones chew on during doc visits. I wonder if you froze them would they also work with teething babies? Since my boy is cutting them now I may try. It's not like it's worse than the billion disgusting things he has eaten off of our floor the past few months.

I think that freezing the cinnamon sticks would make them brittle and pose a choking hazard. I will have to test that out.

Because of this, I have been spiking her rush mush breakfast with various spices. Who wants to eat bland food?

Dan