For everyday bread, brown or wheat bread without seeds is a better match for the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s advice for babies starting bread after six months. Consider a croissant as an occasional choice instead: check the label for salt and allergens, among other things, and make sure the texture is suitable for what your baby can already eat. The term ‘medium sliced’ says nothing about whether a croissant is suitable.
Your baby is getting used to coarser textures. You’re looking for bread that suits their eating skills and is easy to offer. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends brown or wheat bread without seeds as a starting choice after six months.
Your baby is already used to bread, but you want to know how a croissant fits in alongside their usual bread meals. In that case, the nutritional information and ingredients of the particular variety matter.
You’re keeping an eye on wheat or gluten, or on other allergens such as milk, egg and soya. If you’re also packing food for nursery or school, you’ll want to know exactly what’s in the particular variety and what rules apply there.
First, check whether your baby is ready for bread and can manage the texture. Then compare the nutritional information and check allergens or any rules set by their childcare provider.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Eating skills and texture | Is the texture suitable for what your baby can already eat? If your baby is just starting on bread, look for a variety without seeds. | If my baby is only just starting bread, I want to choose something I can serve in a suitable way while staying with them. Around 36% of consumers put eating skills first. |
| Everyday food choice | Compare salt, saturated fat and fibre in the nutritional information for the specific variety, using the same quantity as a basis. | For a regular bread meal, I want to make a choice that fits my baby’s usual diet, not just a special breakfast. For around 36% of consumers, everyday choices are the main consideration. |
| Allergens and childcare rules | Read the allergen information for the specific variety; ask about it if you’re buying an unpackaged croissant. If necessary, also check the rules at your childcare provider or school. | If I need to account for an allergen or rules about food brought in from home, I need to know exactly what’s in the product. This is the main concern for around 28% of consumers. |
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against giving babies salty food. It also lists 5 g of saturated fat in an average 45 g croissant, so choosing one for everyday bread involves a different set of considerations.
For everyday bread, choose brown or wheat bread without seeds instead, once your baby is ready for it. Consider a croissant separately as an occasional choice.
According to Jumbo’s product information, its plant-based croissant contains wheat and gluten and may contain milk. Jumbo says its gluten-free Consenza croissant contains egg, milk and soya.
Always check the ingredients and allergens for the specific variety; don’t assume it’s suitable based on a single word on the front of the pack.
Slice thickness doesn’t tell you whether bread or a croissant is suitable for your baby’s eating skills. Even with pre-sliced products, texture and supervision while eating are important.
First, choose between bread for an everyday meal and a croissant for an occasional one. Then decide how to serve the product appropriately and stay with your baby while they eat.
Albert Heijn’s croissant range includes varieties such as mini, butter and multiseed.
Jumbo provides allergen information for products including its plant-based croissant and gluten-free Consenza croissant.
Lidl stocks a butter croissant in its freshly baked bread range and provides ingredient and allergen information for it.
This round loaf is worth considering if you’re looking for bread rather than a croissant for an everyday bread meal. It isn’t a croissant or confirmed to be medium-sliced bread: check the ingredients and the final texture before offering it to your baby.
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Consider this bread for an everyday bread meal if your baby is ready for bread. Before serving, check that the ingredients and texture after preparation are suitable for your baby’s eating skills.
Round 550 g loaf; the product name doesn’t indicate that it’s pre-sliced. Check the nutritional information on the packaging if you want to compare the salt per serving.
For an everyday bread meal, choose brown or wheat bread without seeds instead, once your baby is ready for it. This follows the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s advice for starting on bread. Consider a croissant as an occasional choice instead, and check the nutritional information for that variety.
Check whether your baby is used to trying solid foods and coarser textures. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends brown or wheat bread without seeds as a starting choice after six months. Make sure your baby is sitting comfortably and stay with them while they eat.
Ask about the allergens in that croissant before buying it. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information for unpackaged products must be provided to consumers in a way other than on packaging. If you’re bringing food in from home, also check the rules at your childcare provider or school.
No, you can’t assume that from the term ‘gluten-free’. Jumbo says its gluten-free Consenza croissant contains egg, milk and soya. So check all the allergens on the packaging for the specific variety.
No, don’t assume that. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre identifies bread as an important source of iodine, but check the ingredients on the packaging of the product you choose or ask your baker.
