Salmon For Babies – When to Introduce, Benefits and Precautions

It is important to ensure that your baby is not allergic to seafood before making a habit of feeding fish to your munchkin. The 3-day rule will help you assess whether your baby can safely have seafood such as salmon on a regular basis.

Is Salmon Safe For Babies?

Salmon is a safe fish to give babies. But there is always a risk of the presence of pollutants, metals, and chemicals present in fish. Opting for fresh salmon from known sources is one way of ensuring that the fish your baby is having is safe to consume. If you compare its mercury content with tuna, mackerel, and other sea fish commonly eaten, you will always find mercury in salmon at the lowest position.

The nutritional value makes it not only safe but also a must include in your baby’s diet. The soft texture of this fish is another good reason to introduce this to your baby at early stages of life once they are comfortable with solids.

Nutritional Value of Salmon

Here are some of the important nutrients present in salmon fish and their quantities.

* DV- Percentage of Daily Value

Amazing Top 4 Health Benefits of Salmon For Babies

So, how does your little munchkin benefit from eating salmon? Let us look at some of the important benefits of salmon for babies.

1. High in Protein Content

Protein is one of the major nutrients every kid requires at an early age. It is said to be the building block of the body as it facilitates the growth of cells, tissues, organs, and so on. Proteins are also required for the preparation of enzymes and hormones.

Deficiency of this nutrient in the diet can lead to kwashiorkor or marasmus. This is why including Salmon is vital because it contains a huge amount of protein that can be utilized appropriately for your baby’s physical development.

2. Excellent Source of Omega 3 Fatty Acids

Omega 3 fatty acids are vital for the proper growth and development of every human being. Right from forming an important part of cell structure to being vital to the health of the various parts of your body, these fatty acids have many roles to play.

Omega 3 fatty acids are present in only a few foods and fish is one of them. For this reason, early introduction and regular intake of this fish in moderation is quite beneficial for your munchkin.

3. Helps in Cognitive Development in Babies

Salmon is also a very good source of DHA and several other essential components required for cognitive development in babies. Including this food item in their diet plan will help you to improve intelligence, concentration power, and focus to a higher extent.

[Read : Motor & Cognitive Skills Development Of A Baby]

4. Loaded With Vitamin B

The vitamin B group consists of several sub vitamins, each performing a particular function. For instance, vitamin B12 or cobalamine is required to absorb iron in the blood properly.

On the other hand, vitamin B2 prevents beriberi in children. A few handful of food items have multiple vitamin B subcategories. Salmon is one of them, which is why you must include it in your baby’s diet without thinking much.

Precautions to Follow When Introducing Salmon to Babies

Here are a few precautions when introducing salmon to your babies.

• The water from which the fish is sourced can cause the fish to be contaminated with high levels of metals such as mercury and other pollutants.
• Ensure that you buy fresh fish from known sources.
• Limit your baby’s intake of fish to ensure that they do not suffer from unnecessary side effects.
• Talk to your doctor to understand the right age, time and the right quantity of salmon that you can feed to your munchkin.
• You must always give your baby well-cooked fish to ensure minimal chances of bacterial contamination.

Are There Any Side Effects of Salmon For Babies?

Salmon is a seafood and is a known allergen. Babies who are allergic to salmon or seafood in general can exhibit symptoms such as

• Hives
• Redness and itching
• Skin rashes
• Sneezing
• Wheezing
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal pain
• Swelling of the mouth and the throat areas

The intensity may not be the same for all babies and varies depending on the tolerance levels of the baby.

[Read : Hives In Babies]

How to Feed Salmon to Babies?

Salmon can be given to babies in different forms such as grilled, poached, steamed, or baked. Ensure that the fish is fully cooked which means that it must be opaque after cooking. Remove any bones completely since they may prove to be a choking hazard for your baby.

• In the initial stages, you can feed ground salmon to your baby. Cook it well, remove the bones, and cut it into very fine pieces and your baby will be able to eat without much discomfort.
• As your baby grows, you can cut and offer this fish in age-appropriate sizes to your baby.
• Slowly, you can introduce the skin part also, provided the fish is fresh, and the skin is form and crisp.

To sum up, salmon is a must include fish in your baby’s diet due to the rich nutrient content and the ease of eating and digestibility. If you have any questions regarding salmon for babies, you can always consult your pediatrician or a child nutritionist and take their guidance on the right time and the right way of introducing this fish to your munchkin.

FAQ’s

1. Can Babies Eat Salmon?

Yes!! babies can eat salmon. In fact, this fish is excellent for babies and a must include it in your baby’s diet if your baby doesn’t have any allergies to this fish and is able to digest it well.

2. Is Salmon High in Mercury?

Salmon is not high in mercury and is one of the safe fish to your baby who is ready for solids or has already started eating solids.

3. Is Salmon Bad For Babies?

No, on the contrary salmon is very good for babies. The soft texture and nutritional value of this fish make it an excellent addition to your baby’s solid diet. But the tiny bones present in this fish, if not removed, can prove to be a choking hazard for your munchkin.

Read Also: Chicken For Babies: Health Benefits, Nutritional Value And Recipes