Salmon is one of the best first fish to introduce to babies. Rich in protein, healthy fats, and vitamins and minerals, salmon provides great nutritional benefits for infants But is it safe? And how should you prepare salmon for babies?
As a mom of two young kids, I’ve done lots of research on starting solids and baby’s first foods. In this article, I’ll share everything you need to know about feeding salmon to babies, including:
- Is salmon healthy for babies?
- When can babies start eating salmon?
- Is salmon safe for babies? Mercury and allergy risks explained.
- How to prepare salmon for babies at different ages.
- Delicious salmon recipes for infants.
Let’s dive in!
Is Salmon Healthy for Babies?
Salmon is one of the most nutritious first foods you can offer your baby. Here are some of the great benefits salmon provides:
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High in protein Salmon contains lots of protein to support your baby’s growth and development,
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Full of omega-3s: Salmon is an excellent source of anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids like DHA. These support baby’s brain, eye, and immune system development.
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Good source of B vitamins: Salmon contains vitamins B6, B12, niacin, and folate. These B vitamins help the body use food as fuel and do many other things.
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Rich in minerals: Salmon provides iron, zinc, selenium, potassium, and phosphorus – all minerals babies need.
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Contains vitamin D: Salmon has vitamin D, which aids calcium absorption for strong, healthy bones.
So salmon checks all the boxes when it comes to nutrition for your little one!
When Can Babies Start Eating Salmon?
When you start will depend on whether you start with purees or baby-led weaning/finger foods. Here are the recommendations:
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Purees (around 6 months): Salmon can be introduced when you begin purees at about 6 months old. Make sure any bones are removed, then blend or mash cooked salmon into a smooth puree.
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Finger foods (6 months+): With baby-led weaning, salmon is a great early finger food. Offer strips of cooked, boneless salmon for baby to self-feed around 6 months old.
No matter if you do purees or finger foods, salmon can be one of the first fish babies try thanks to its soft, flaky texture. Introduce just a small amount at first to watch for any possible reactions.
Is Salmon Safe for Babies? Tackling Mercury and Allergy Concerns
When it comes to seafood, two big concerns parents have are mercury exposure and allergies. Here’s what you need to know about salmon:
Mercury in Salmon
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Salmon is low in mercury compared to many fish. Still, too much mercury from seafood can harm a baby’s developing brain and nervous system.
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To limit mercury exposure, health experts recommend babies eat no more than 2-3 servings of low-mercury fish per week. This includes salmon.
So as long as you offer salmon just a couple times a week as part of a varied diet, mercury in salmon is not a major worry.
Salmon Allergies
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Salmon allergies are fairly uncommon, affecting less than 1% of the population. And most fish allergies develop later in life.
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Still, salmon is one of the top allergenic foods, so introduce it carefully and watch for any reactions.
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Allergic reactions usually occur within minutes to a couple hours and may include hives, vomiting, wheezing, etc. Call your doctor if your baby has an allergic reaction to salmon.
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If your baby already has a known fish allergy, avoid salmon and talk to your allergist before trying other fish.
While not super common in babies, be aware of potential salmon allergy symptoms when first introducing it.
How to Prepare Salmon for Babies
Salmon can be prepared in lots of ways for babies: baked, broiled, grilled, poached, or pan-fried. Here are some preparation tips by age:
6-8 months old
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Bake, grill, or poach salmon fillets until cooked through and flaky. Carefully check for and remove all small bones.
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Cut into strips about 2 inches long and 1⁄2 inch wide. Or flake into pieces.
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You can mash cooked salmon with a fork and combine with breastmilk, formula, or pureed veggies for a salmon puree.
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Another option is to mix flaked salmon into mashed avocado or sweet potato. The soft texture makes it easy for baby to eat.
9-11 months old
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Continue to bake, broil, or poach salmon fillets until fully cooked. Remove any bones.
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Cut salmon into smaller, bite-sized pieces about 1⁄2 inch cubed.
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You can also make salmon patties or cakes for finger food at this age. Cut pieces small enough for baby to pick up.
12 months and up
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Offer bigger pieces of salmon for nibbling, holding, and practice with utensils.
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Try new preparations like salmon croquettes, salmon loaf, or salmon fried rice.
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Canned salmon can be mashed or mixed into chunks of soft cooked veggies or rice.
As your baby masters chewing and moving lumpier foods around their mouth, gradually increase the size of salmon pieces.
Delicious Salmon Recipes for Babies
Here are some yummy recipe ideas to inspire you to cook up salmon for your little one:
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Mashed salmon and avocado: Mash together cooked salmon and avocado with a bit of breastmilk or formula.
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Salmon veggie puree: Blend cooked salmon with roasted carrots and sweet potato.
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Salmon rice bowl: Flake cooked salmon over rice, quinoa or butternut squash puree.
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Salmon omelet: Fold tiny flakes of salmon into an omelet with spinach or other veggies.
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Salmon cakes: Make mini salmon patties with salmon, mashed potato, egg, and breadcrumbs.
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Salmon and edamame: Sauté salmon and frozen edamame in olive oil. Mash together.
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Salmon dip: Blend canned salmon into a creamy dip with Greek yogurt and lemon juice. Serve with toasted pita.
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Salmon fried rice: Sauté salmon flakes in sesame oil with brown rice, peas, and carrots.
Let your baby “dig in” to salmon prepared in different ways to discover new textures and flavors!
Salmon for Babies: A Quick Recap
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Salmon is a nutritional powerhouse loaded with protein, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals.
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Introduce pureed or flaked salmon around 6 months as one of baby’s first finger foods.
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Limit salmon to 2-3 servings a week to minimize mercury exposure. Watch carefully for any allergic reaction.
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Bake, broil, or poach salmon fillets until cooked through. Remove all bones and cut into strips or bite-sized pieces.
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Mix salmon into purees or serve with avocado, rice, or veggie mashes. Offer bigger pieces as baby masters chewing skills.
So feel good about serving your little one tasty, nutritious salmon! This superstar fish checks all the boxes when it comes to baby’s first foods.
Is salmon a common allergen?
Yes. Finned fish are classified as a Global Priority Allergen by the World Health Organization. Salmon is among the most common finned fish allergens, along with cod, halibut, and tuna. It is estimated that only 0. It is estimated that 2% of people around the world are allergic to finned fish. While the rate of fish allergies in children varies, it is generally lower than in adults. About 40% of people with finned fish allergies don’t experience their first allergic reaction until adulthood. Unfortunately, most individuals who are allergic to finned fish do not outgrow the allergy.
Some individuals with finned fish allergy may react from inhaling airborne proteins that are aerosolized when cooking fish. If this is the case for baby, you might not want to cook fish in the house when baby is there.
Around 50% of individuals with one finned fish allergy will react to another fish as well. This is because the major allergen in finned fish, beta-parvalbumin, is present in most fish, regardless of species. Because of the chance of cross-contamination or wrong labeling, allergists usually tell people who are allergic to one species of finned fish to stay away from all finned fish until they meet with an allergist to find out which fish they can safely eat again. This is a personal suggestion, so if your baby is allergic to salmon, make sure to check with your allergist before giving them other fish with fins.
Finned fish are a known trigger of food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome, also known as FPIES. If someone has FPIES, they will suddenly start throwing up and having diarrhea a few hours after eating a protein-containing food. Left untreated, the reaction can result in significant dehydration. FPIES to finned fish may not show up until later in life, unlike other food allergies, and it usually lasts a person’s whole life.
Lastly, a note on scombroid poisoning, which is sometimes mistaken for a fish allergy. Scombroid poisoning happens when someone eats fish that hasn’t been properly chilled. This allows a large amount of histamine to build up in the fish. When this lot of histamine is eaten, it can cause symptoms that look like an allergic reaction. This can lead some people to think they have a finned fish allergy when they don’t actually have one. Ensuring that fish has been stored at adequately cool temperatures can minimize the risk of such a reaction.
If you suspect baby may be allergic to fish, consult an allergist before introducing salmon. As with all common allergens, give baby small amounts of salmon at first and closely watch what they eat to see if they have any bad reactions. If all goes well, gradually increase the serving size over time. Once common food allergens are successfully added to the diet, they should be kept there regularly (at least twice a week, if possible). However, this doesn’t mean that each different fish species must be offered multiple times a week. Finned fish all have the same main proteins, so it’s fine to switch between types of finned fish based on availability and personal taste.
How much salmon can babies eat?
Serve salmon as many times as you want, but don’t worry about the exact amounts. A baby might eat a lot of salmon at one meal or very little at another. Either way is fine as long as the salmon is one of many foods in the diet.
Maverick tries Salmon – Baby Led Weaning (7 months)
FAQ
Why can’t babies have salmon?
How do I feed my 6 month old salmon?
How much salmon can a baby eat?
Is salmon a common allergy for babies?
Can babies eat salmon?
Salmon is packed with omega-3 fatty acids and protein. Here’s when babies can eat salmon, plus how to safely prepare this fish for young eaters. When can babies have salmon? Salmon is one of the very best catches when it comes to brain-boosting foods for your baby or toddler.
Is fresh salmon safe to eat?
Yes, salmon is a source of omega 3, the fatty acid is responsible for acting in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, making the heart strong and healthy. Just be careful to analyze the supplier to make sure it doesn’t have any contamination.
How often should a baby eat salmon?
Offer salmon once a day for several days while monitoring your baby for any signs of allergies. You can mash it up and spoon feed it, or you can offer soft cooked pieces for your baby to grasp themselves.
Can babies eat steamed salmon?
To serve steamed salmon to babies, first, remove all the bones. Then, steam a small portion of salmon on a dish over high heat until cooked. Use a fork to mash the salmon meat and feed it to your baby by mixing it in various baby food recipes.