For your baby’s first tastes of bread, soft bread without the crust is a better choice than dry, hard crispbread. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends bread without the crust once your baby is used to trying solid foods. Breaking a cracker in half doesn’t change its hard texture. Consider crispbread only when your child’s eating skills are ready for it, and check the ingredients, allergens and salt content of the variety you choose.
If your baby is still getting used to chunkier foods, texture matters more than whether you can break a cracker into small pieces. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends bread without the crust for your baby’s first tastes of bread.
If your child is already more confident eating bread, you can also consider the number of pieces, individually wrapped portions and storage instructions. First, make sure the product’s texture and ingredients are right for your child.
The wholegrain varieties discussed here contain gluten-containing cereals; some products may also list sesame or other allergens. Always check the latest label and any warnings about possible traces of allergens.
When to choose it: Choose this for your baby’s first tastes of bread once they’re used to trying solid foods, as recommended by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre.
The trade-off: It doesn’t have the convenience of a dry, crunchy snack that you can keep in the cupboard.
When to consider it: Wait until your child is more confident eating and you’re happy that the texture of the variety you’ve chosen is suitable.
The trade-off: A smaller portion doesn’t make the texture any less dry or hard. Ingredients and allergens also vary between varieties.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Texture and eating skills | Consider whether your child is ready for the texture. With crispbread, also look out for kernels, seeds and whole grains. | My baby is still practising with chunkier foods, so I don’t want a smaller portion to be mistaken for a softer bite. For around 50% of consumers, getting the right texture comes first. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the latest label, including the ‘contains’ and ‘may contain’ information, and compare the salt content per 100 g. | If my child needs to avoid certain allergens, I want to know what’s in this particular variety. For around 30% of consumers, checking this is the top priority. |
| Portions and storage | Compare the number of pieces, any individually wrapped portions and the storage instructions. ‘Half loaf’ doesn’t indicate a standard pack size. | In a small household, I want to be able to use a pack without unnecessary leftovers. That’s why around 20% of consumers prioritise portion size. |
Breaking it in half doesn’t change its hard, dry texture. For your baby’s first tastes of bread, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends bread without the crust. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also warn that hard foods can be difficult for young children to chew and swallow.
Start with bread that suits your baby’s eating skills. Don’t choose crispbread as your baby’s first bread simply because you can break it into pieces.
The varieties reviewed also differ in their salt content and allergens. According to Jumbo’s product information, the salt content of the Jumbo and Wasa varieties discussed ranges from 0.71 g to 1.2 g per 100 g.
Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and check the ingredients and allergen information on the latest packaging.
Being able to break a cracker in half doesn’t change how many crackers are in an opened pack. Jumbo lists Bolletje Volkoren Knäckebröd Vezelrijk as individually wrapped in packs of four; that’s different from the size of each cracker.
Check the number of pieces, the inner packaging and the storage instructions. Only consider packaging convenience once you’ve assessed the texture and ingredients.
This information relates to the varieties listed, not to whether a brand is suitable as your baby’s first bread.
Jumbo lists Wasa Volkoren among its products, made with rye.
Jumbo lists Bolletje Volkoren Knäckebröd Vezelrijk as 4 × 4 pieces.
Jumbo lists its own Volkoren Knäckebröd in a pack of 5 × 5 pieces.
For your baby’s first tastes of bread, choose soft bread without the crust rather than crispbread. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends bread without the crust once your baby is used to trying solid foods. If you’re unsure whether your child is ready for chunkier textures, ask your health visitor.
Half a cracker is smaller, but it’s still dry and hard. Consider the texture separately from the portion size, and don’t choose a first bread just because you can break it into pieces.
According to product information from Jumbo and Albert Heijn, the Wasa, Jumbo and Bolletje wholegrain varieties discussed here contain gluten-containing cereals. Check the latest label for the specific variety every time you buy it, even if you’ve bought it before.
First, read the allergen information on the latest packaging and ask the nursery about its food and allergen policy. Also make sure the texture is suitable for your child’s eating skills. Permission to bring something in doesn’t mean it’s suitable for your child.
