Salmon, when fully cooked, may be introduced as soon as baby is ready to start solids, which is generally around 6 months of age. Wild Alaskan and sockeye salmon (fresh, frozen, or canned) are rated as a “best choice” in our guide, Best & Worst Fish for Babies.
Fish bones can be a choking risk for babies and young children. Serve salmon and other finned fish safely by removing all bones and offering it in age-appropriate pieces.
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.
Salmon is one of the best foods you can feed your baby. It's rich in nutrients that growing babies need such as protein & fat. It's packed with iron and vitamin D, which are two nutrients babies can often be deficient in and need for overall health. Plus, it is packed with DHA, which is good for brain health.
Big Pieces – 6+ months: It's best to start your baby with either a large piece of salmon, without the skin, that has been roasted, steamed, poached or sautéed until tender. You can also serve your baby a mash of salmon and ricotta on a self-feeding spoon.
9 to 11 months old:
Offer bite-sized pieces of cooked, deboned or canned salmon; cakes and patties; or salmon salad. You can also continue to serve longer strips of salmon fillet for biting and tearing practice. To make salmon salad, just mix the flakes with mashed avocado, mayonnaise, olive oil, or yogurt.
Salmon is low in mercury.
Both wild and farmed Atlantic salmon have much lower mercury levels than most other fish species. Farmed salmon has on average, 0.05 micrograms of mercury per gram.
Salmon, trout and herring are considered low in mercury and high in brain-boosting DHA. Other types of seafood considered "best choices" include shrimp, cod, catfish, crab, scallops, pollock, tilapia, whitefish, trout, perch, flounder, sole, sardine, anchovy, crawfish, clams, oyster, and lobster.
Infants 6 months and older can eat 1 to 2 servings a week of a variety of fish that are lower in mercury. The serving size is 1 ounce. Some fish low in mercury are: canned light tuna, catfish (farm-raised), pollock, salmon, shad, tilapia, whitefish, and whiting.
Salt can be added to food in moderation after your baby's first birthday. Whole, fresh foods contain less sodium than packaged and processed foods. If your baby is mostly consuming whole foods prepared at home, a pinch of salt to season a larger dish for the entire family should be fine.
Honey is the one identified and avoidable food reservoir of C. botulinum, the bacterial spore that causes infant botulism. While most cases of infant botulism today are not caused by exposure to honey prior to illness, it is the only avoidable source of exposure to the bacteria.
Eggs may be introduced as soon as baby is ready to start solids, which is generally around 6 months of age. Egg is a common food allergen, so consider baby's risk factors and start with scant quantities of well-cooked egg (white and yolk) as some babies can have severe reactions to even the smallest amount of eggs.
Should children and babies over 6 months eat fish? Children under the age of 16 should avoid eating any shark, swordfish or marlin. This is because the levels of mercury in these fish can affect a child's nervous system. Avoid giving raw shellfish to babies and children to reduce their risk of getting food poisoning.
Fish is a good early food because it's full of important nutrients, including protein and fatty acids. But it's best to avoid some types of fish because they can contain unsafe levels of mercury, which in high doses can be harmful to children.
Due to their mercury content, do not give your baby or very young child any other fish. If you eat fish caught by family or friends, check for local or state fish advisories.
Signs that your baby has developed a fish allergy may include: Stomach distress including vomiting, cramps, indigestion, or diarrhea. Difficulty breathing, wheezing, or shortness of breath. Repetitive cough, hoarse voice, or tightness in the throat.
Shrimp, when prepared in an age-appropriate way to reduce choking risk and foodborne illness, may be introduced as soon as baby is ready to start solids, which is generally around 6 months of age. When shopping for shrimp, opt for fresh shrimp as frozen shrimp can be exceedingly high in sodium.
From around 6 months, after your baby has had their first tastes, rice is perfectly fine to offer to little ones. It's a great source of carbohydrates, which provide the energy that babies need to grow and develop as well as contributing to their protein, calcium and B-vitamin intakes.
Choose fish and shellfish that are lower in mercury such as salmon, trout, tilapia, cod, sole, sardines, shrimp, oysters, and other shellfish. For the most health benefits, choose fatty fish such as salmon, trout, herring, chub mackerel, and sardines. o These fish have healthy omega-3 fatty acids.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends parents introduce allergenic and non-allergenic foods - including peanuts - starting around 4-6 months of age, in infants without a history of an allergic disorder, such as eczema or food allergies.
Due to high mercury levels, the FDA recommends avoiding introducing shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish to your little ones. Instead, fish types including salmon, cod, shrimp or canned light tuna are best.
Wild Alaskan Sockeye Salmon is known to be one of the safer salmon options due to its low toxicity and mercury levels.
Sockeye is considered one of the safest species to eat due to the very low level of toxicity, including mercury.
Though the risk of mercury poisoning is low, it's recommended that pregnant women and young children limit the amount of salmon they eat to only 12 oz per week. And, of course, it's important to be mindful of what types of fish you are consuming and cooking for your children.