From around six months, almond drink can be used as an ingredient in weaning foods, but it should not replace breast milk or first infant formula as a baby’s main drink before age one, according to North East London NHS Foundation Trust. For cooking, check that the carton is unsweetened and suitable for the child’s age; if almond drink will be used regularly after age one, compare its added nutrients and follow the individual product’s age guidance.
If you are considering almond drink in porridge or cooking from around six months, keep breast milk or first infant formula as your baby’s main milk feed. North East London NHS Foundation Trust distinguishes use in weaning foods from use as a main drink before age one.
If almond drink will be used regularly, compare cartons for added calcium, iodine and vitamins rather than assuming plant drinks contain the same nutrients. Follow the age guidance on the particular product.
Almond is an allergen. The NHS advises introducing foods that may trigger an allergy one at a time so that any reaction is easier to recognise.
Start with how the drink will be used, then check the exact carton’s ingredients, added nutrients and age guidance.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Age and use | Check whether the drink is going into food or being offered as a main drink. Read the carton’s age guidance. | I’m using a little in weaning food, not replacing milk feeds. North East London NHS Foundation Trust says plant drinks can be part of weaning from six months but should not be the main milk drink before age one. |
| Ingredients and taste | Look for an unsweetened or no-added-sugar description and read the ingredients for sugars or sweeteners. Do not assume a flavour described as mild means the drink is unsweetened. | For porridge or cooking, I want to choose the flavour without relying on added sugar. The NHS says babies do not need sugar or sweeteners. |
| Added nutrients | Compare the exact cartons for added calcium, iodine, vitamin D and vitamin B12. Check the nutrition information rather than judging by a short ingredient list. | If almond drink will be used regularly after age one, I want to know what has been added. The UK government’s 2025 assessment says nutrient content varies considerably between plant drinks. |
| Almond allergy | Read the ingredients and any precautionary nut wording on each carton. Introduce almond separately from other new allergenic foods. | Before offering almond for the first time, I need to be able to recognise a possible reaction. The NHS advises introducing foods that may trigger allergy one at a time. |
Using almond drink in food is different from making it the main milk drink. North East London NHS Foundation Trust says plant drinks should not replace breast milk or infant formula as the main drink before age one.
For a baby starting weaning, keep breast milk or first infant formula as the main milk feed unless a qualified clinician has given individual advice.
A short ingredient list does not establish what added nutrients a carton provides. The UK government’s 2025 assessment notes that nutrient content varies considerably between plant drinks.
For regular use after age one, compare the current labels for added calcium, iodine and vitamins as well as ingredients.
Almond is an allergen, and cartons can carry product-specific warnings about other nuts. A label checked on an earlier purchase may not describe the carton in hand.
Read each carton’s ingredients and precautionary wording. Introduce almond separately from other new allergenic foods; seek advice from a GP or health visitor before introduction if your baby has eczema, an existing allergy or a relevant family allergy history.
Sainsbury’s says its unsweetened almond drink can be part of a balanced diet from age one but is not suitable as a main milk alternative for children under three. Rude Health states that its standard Almond Drink is for adults and children from five years onwards.
Check the wording on the exact variant before choosing it for a child; an unsweetened label does not settle its intended age or use.
These examples illustrate label differences between almond drinks; a brand name alone does not establish whether a particular carton suits a child’s age or intended use.
Tesco’s Unsweetened Almond Drink is an own-label carton with listed added nutrients.
Sainsbury’s Unsweetened Almond Drink lists added nutrients and specific age guidance.
M&S Unsweetened Almond Drink is another carton to compare for added nutrients.
Plenish presents its almond drink as a short-ingredient-list option.
Rude Health has distinct almond-drink variants, so the exact product matters.
Alpro Almond No Sugars and Alpro Almond Original are separate variants listed by Tesco.
This almond-drink option is relevant to checking a no-sugars carton for use in weaning foods; the current label and the child’s age still matter.
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If considering this almond drink for porridge or other weaning foods, check the carton’s age and allergen guidance before introducing it; it should not replace breast milk or first infant formula as the main drink before age one. The listed pack contains 8 x 1L long-life cartons. For regular use after age one, compare the current label’s added nutrients with other options.
No. North East London NHS Foundation Trust says plant drinks can be used as part of weaning foods from around six months, but should not replace breast milk or infant formula as the main milk drink before age one.
Check for an unsweetened or no-added-sugar option, then read its age guidance and allergen information. If almond drink will be used regularly after age one, compare the exact cartons for added calcium, iodine, vitamin D and vitamin B12; the UK government’s 2025 assessment says nutrient content varies considerably between plant drinks.
Introduce almond separately from other new allergenic foods from around six months so that a possible reaction is easier to recognise, as the NHS advises. If your baby has eczema, an existing allergy or a relevant family allergy history, speak to a GP or health visitor before introduction.
No: almond drink contains almond. Check the current carton’s ingredients and precautionary nut wording; if your child has an allergy to another nut, seek individual advice rather than assuming a particular almond drink is suitable.
Check the individual nursery, childminder or school’s nut policy before sending it. A policy for one setting should not be assumed to apply at another.