i don't know, really, i only started offering her nuts and seeds at about 15 months i think. she's had cashews and brazils and sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds. hates walnuts. the thing about the softness is that i got some right weedy-looking ones from Sainsbos and had to throw them out as in my opinion they were just a bit too dried-out and jaggy to give her. whereas with the big lovely pebbly green ones you can almost see the oil in them, if you know what i mean? obviously you're supposed to keep them airtight once opened but i don't, because Babybear still eats them and i just think that they are probably even safer as a choke risk if they're softer. the speed we get through them i certainly don't have to worry about them goiing stale... we're all addicted in this house. i'd try one at a time, the big flat ones, and see how she goes.