Maybe salmon is one of your favorite foods. Maybe you and your family eat salmon all the time. But, recently, you’ve welcomed a new tiny member of the family. If you have a new baby in the household, you may be wondering — can babies have salmon?.
Salmon is one of the best first fish to introduce to babies. Salmon is full of omega-3s, which are good for your brain, and its soft, flaky texture makes it a great finger food. If you want to know when you can start giving your baby salmon, read on. I’m going to tell you everything you need to know about this super fish.
As a mom of two little ones myself, I know how exciting and intimidating it can be to introduce new foods It wasn’t too long ago that I was in your shoes, wondering when I could serve up salmon’s nutritional benefits without worrying about choking hazards or allergies.
The good news is salmon tends to be low in mercury so pediatricians encourage starting it early. In fact salmon is a safe and healthy food to give to babies who are old enough to eat solids, around 6 months of age. “Canned, pouched or cooked flaked salmon is a great starter food for babies and toddlers,” notes Rima Kleiner, MS, a registered dietician who blogs at Dish on Fish.
In this article, I’ll cover when and how to serve salmon, recipe ideas to try, and reasons why this omega-3 packed fish should be on your baby’s menu.
When Can Babies Start Eating Salmon?
When baby starts solid foods, which is usually around 6 months old, is when you should start giving them salmon. Salmon is good for parents who are doing baby-led weaning because it is soft. For baby to grab and chew on, you can give them soft, boneless salmon strips.
If you’re spoon-feeding purées, salmon can be introduced then too, but your baby may have an easier time managing flaky bits of fish rather than slippery purees Talk with your pediatrician if you’re unsure when to introduce salmon or how to prepare it appropriately for your baby’s skills
No matter if you lean towards purées or baby-led weaning, salmon is a smart early fish choice thanks to its brain-building nutrients and mild mercury levels. Keep reading for age-specific preparation tips.
How Should You Prepare Salmon for Babies?
When you buy salmon fillets at the store or fish counter, look for cuts with thin, clear bones that are easy to take out. Fattier wild salmon often separates into softer flakes when cooked.
Aim to cook salmon until it flakes and reaches an internal temperature of 145°F. Then double check for any small bones and remove them.
Here are some simple prep ideas tailored to your baby’s evolving motor skills:
For 6-8 months:
- Offer strips of salmon about 2 adult fingers wide. Remove all skin and bones.
- Mash flaky salmon into tender foods like avocado or sweet potato.
- Make salmon cakes no larger than 1 inch wide.
For 9-11 months:
- Cut cooked salmon into small, thumb-sized pieces or flakes.
- Make small patties or fish cakes with binders like mashed potato or breadcrumbs.
For 12 months and up:
- Encourage self-feeding of diced salmon speared with a fork.
- Introduce smoked salmon and canned salmon in moderation.
When first introducing any new food, start with just a taste and watch for reactions. If all goes smoothly, increase portion sizes gradually as baby’s appetite allows.
Delicious Salmon Dishes for Baby
While salmon’s subtle flavor may be tasty to seafood-loving adults, some babies may need it jazzed up. Luckily, the opportunities to get creative with salmon are endless!
Here are a few kid-friendly salmon recipe ideas to try:
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Salmon salad – Flake cooked salmon and mix with Greek yogurt, lemon juice, and diced cucumber.
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Sweet potato salmon patties – Fold salmon into mashed sweet potato with breadcrumbs and egg. Pan fry into small patties.
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Salmon fried rice – Sauté salmon flakes with brown rice, peas, carrots and eggs.
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Salmon mac and cheese – Fold cooked, flaked salmon into macaroni and cheese.
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Salmon nuggets – Coat diced salmon in breadcrumbs and bake into bite-sized nuggets.
When introducing new foods, offer just one at a time and watch for reactions. Once tolerated, aim for one to two servings of salmon per week.
Why Is Salmon So Good for Babies?
Beyond its mild flavor and flaky texture that babies love, salmon packs some amazing nutritional perks. Here are some of the top benefits your little one will reap by eating salmon:
Brain-boosting omega-3s – Salmon is brimming with anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids including DHA, which support cognitive, visual, and nervous system development.
Vitamin D – Unlike most fish, salmon contains vitamin D, which helps baby absorb calcium for growing bones.
Protein – Salmon delivers over 20 grams of protein per serving to support muscle growth and satisfy tiny tummies.
Iron and zinc – Two minerals crucial for immunity, growth, and neurologic development that salmon provides.
Vitamin B12 – Salmon is one of the few naturally rich sources of vitamin B12, which forms red blood cells and strengthens the brain.
Low mercury – Salmon tends to be low in mercury, earning it a green light on pediatrician fish recommendation lists.
So feel good about serving up this nutritional catch! Aim for one to two servings a week to reap salmon’s developmental benefits without going overboard.
Handling Possible Salmon Allergies
Like other fish and shellfish, salmon is one of the top food allergens. Finned fish allergies tend to appear later in childhood and may not become apparent until adults try salmon.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction include hives, lip/tongue swelling, vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, wheezing or difficulty breathing. If your baby shows signs of an allergic reaction, stop feeding the salmon immediately and contact your pediatrician.
To minimize reactions, introduce salmon in small amounts and watch closely for any adverse effects. It’s also smart to have children’s Benadryl on hand just in case, but only give after consulting your pediatrician.
If your baby already has known fish allergies, check with your allergist before trying salmon, since many kids allergic to one fish react to all types. Always have epinephrine auto-injectors like EpiPens available when introducing new foods that could trigger anaphylaxis.
While severe salmon allergies are fairly uncommon in babies, it’s best to air on the side of caution those first few times trying any new food.
Choking Hazards and Precautions
Though its texture makes salmon an ideal first finger food, a few precautions are in order to minimize choking risks.
Be sure to remove all the small bones when preparing fresh salmon. Canned salmon has bones removed during processing, so no need to worry about those.
Always supervise mealtimes and have your baby sit upright while eating – no reclining or eating salmon in the car seat!
Cut salmon into thin strips or small dices instead of large chunks. Avoid serving large salmon cakes or fish sticks that could obstruct an airway if baby takes too big a bite.
Know the signs of choking – grabbing at the throat, difficulty breathing, inability to cough or make sounds – and be prepared with infant/toddler CPR and first aid training.
By taking basic precautions and introducing salmon gradually in age-appropriate sizes and textures, you can confidently add this nutritional powerhouse to your baby’s diet.
The Takeaway on Babies and Salmon
Salmon is one of the best sources of brain-nourishing omega-3s you can offer a growing baby. Its naturally soft texture also makes salmon an ideal first finger food to introduce around 6 months.
Pediatricians encourage starting salmon early, since it tends to be lower in mercury than some fish. Aim to serve it one to two times per week.
Stick to boneless, flaked preparations at first, cooking until salmon is opaque and flakes easily. Then get creative with salmon-focused recipes to delight your baby’s developing palate!
While allergies are possible with any new food, they tend to be less common with finned fish versus shellfish. Introduce salmon in small amounts and watch closely for reactions.
As your baby grows, salmon provides an easy protein source to self-feed using their evolving utensil skills and chewing abilities. This omega-3 packed fish is sure to become a family favorite!
Should I worry about my baby being allergic to salmon?
It is unlikely for your baby to have an allergic reaction to salmon. The experts note that finned fish allergies like a salmon allergy are less common than shellfish allergies. Many finned fish allergies don’t appear until adulthood. This makes an allergic reaction in your baby unlikely. Even if the salmon is fully cooked before giving it to your baby, there is still a small chance that they will have an allergic reaction. This is true for any new food you give your baby.
Still, it’s best to only give an infant one new food at a time when introducing new foods. This way, if an allergic reaction happens, it’s easy to figure out which food caused it. Also, know the symptoms of a food allergy, like hives, itching, mouth swelling, wheezing, and/or stomach pain that happens a few hours after eating. If an allergic reaction occurs, call your pediatrician right away.
When Can Babies Eat Salmon?
Of course, when people ask if babies can eat salmon, they really mean when can they eat salmon. There is usually a certain age when you can add a new food to your baby’s diet without worrying about them getting sick, choking, or having food allergies.
Child nutritionists and dietitians say that babies can safely eat salmon as soon as they start eating solid foods. Usually around six months, as long as your baby is interested in eating, has gained twice as much weight as at birth, and can hold their head up on their own.
Maverick tries Salmon – Baby Led Weaning (7 months)
FAQ
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