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- 23 Comments
- Edwena Kennedy, RD, BSc. Neuroscience
- Republished: September 14, 2026
- Originally Published: April 8, 2021
If the thought of putting fish on your baby’s tray makes you a little nervous… you are SO not alone.
Mercury, bones, allergies… there’s a lot swirling around out there, and most of it makes fish feel like a food to tiptoe around instead of one to embrace.
But introducing fish to your baby can be simple and safe: start early and offer soft, boneless, low-mercury fish like salmon, then keep serving it regularly to build familiarity and support allergy tolerance.
Here’s the other thing- fish is one of the most nutrient-dense foods you can offer your little one, with protein, iron, DHA, and vitamin D that support growth and brain development, and early introduction may help lower allergy risk too. If you’re a parent or caregiver trying to figure out which fish to buy, how much is safe, whether wild or farmed matters, or how to prepare seafood for different ages and stages, you’re in the right place!
We’re not here to add another thing to your worry list. We’re here to give you the practical how-to’s on the best fish for babies, mercury and contaminant concerns, allergy introduction and what to do about reactions, safe intake guidance, easy prep methods, and simple recipe ideas by stage.
Let’s get into it!
Table of Contents
Starting Solids Soon? Start Here First
If you’re feeling stressed about starting solids in general and not just about fish, join our FREE live workshop: How to Start Solids: A Realistic First Week of Feeding Your Baby. You’ll walk away with a step-by-step plan and a free 5 day meal plan, straight from pediatric dietitian, Edwena Kennedy.
If you’re feeling stressed about starting solids in general and not just about fish, join our FREE live workshop: How to Start Solids: A Realistic First Week of Feeding Your Baby. You’ll walk away with a step-by-step plan and a free 5 day meal plan, straight from pediatric dietitian, Edwena Kennedy.
PS… there’s a free downloadable cheat sheet at the end of this post with all the best fish for your baby and how often to offer them. Feel free to jump down and grab it now if you want it handy while you read.
First, What Do We Actually Mean by "Fish"?
When we say fish, we really mean all seafood. That includes finned fish (salmon, sardines, haddock), shellfish (shrimp, crab, lobster) and mollusks (clams, mussels, oysters, scallops, octopus).
Why Fish Deserves a Spot in Your Baby's Diet
Fish isn’t just “fine” to offer your baby… it’s genuinely one of the best foods you can put in front of them, since fish for babies offers real health benefits and nutritional benefits, including:
High in protein – essential for growing organs, bones, muscles, immune function, and pretty much every cell in their body, making fish such a valuable part of a balanced diet.
High in iron – fish contains heme iron, the form your body absorbs most easily, which matters a lot since babies need 11.4 mg of iron per day!
High in B12 – important for healthy red blood cells and brain development.
High in DHA (certain fish) – DHA is one of the key omega 3 fatty acids that supports brain and eye development, especially since your baby’s brain and neural system are developing rapidly through age 3. Fish is really the only food that delivers DHA in meaningful amounts, which makes it kind of irreplaceable nutritionally, and salmon is one example that provides essential omega-3s for babies.
High in Vitamin D – found especially in the same fatty fish that are rich in DHA.
High in Calcium – especially when the soft bones are included, like in canned salmon or canned sardines. Those bones mash easily with a fork and add a calcium boost.
Great for building a varied palate – new tastes, smells, and textures all help expand what your baby is willing to eat, now and later.
Quick to cook – most fish is ready in 15 to 20 minutes with minimal prep and seasoning needed.
A top allergen worth introducing early – early introduction of fish and regular exposure can actually help lower the chance of your baby developing an allergy to it. Quick note: finned fish allergy and shellfish allergy are different, so both need to be introduced on their own to rule out either one.
Beyond the nutrients mentioned above, seafood also provides iodine, which supports thyroid health and metabolism, and selenium, an antioxidant that helps the body with growth and repair. These nutrients don’t get talked about often, but they’re one more reason fish earns its place in the weekly rotation!
Introducing Fish and Managing Allergy Risk
We know allergens can feel scary, and it’s completely normal to feel some nerves about it. But current research actually supports introducing a common allergen like fish early, since it may help lower the risk of food allergies down the road (1).
When you’re ready to offer your baby fish for the first time, ensure your baby is healthy and you introduce it early in the day following these steps:
Day 1:
Serve a small amount (¼ tsp) of fish to your baby. Wait 10 minutes to watch for any allergic reactions. You can let your baby eat non-allergen-containing food while you wait.
If no reaction occurs, serve the rest of the fish – aiming for about 2 tsps in total (no other new allergens). Keep an eye out for reactions for up to 2 hours.
Day 2:
If your baby does not have an allergic reaction to fish on day one, serve them fish again on day two. Aim to serve at least 2 tsp. Keep an eye out for reactions for up to 2 hours.
If your baby does not have an allergic reaction on days 1 or 2, you can rule out fish as an allergy!
Day 3:
This final step is optional. Reintroduce the allergen for a third day to ensure enough fish has been consumed. With babies, it’s hard to know exactly how much they’ve eaten, so this third introduction is for reassurance that they got a true exposure to the allergen.
Wait 24 hours after introducing one allergen before introducing a new one.
Watch for signs of an allergic reaction, such as hives, swelling of the lips or tongue, coughing, wheezing, or sudden vomiting. Most reactions are mild and manageable, and if you see anything more serious like difficulty breathing, widespread swelling, or lightheadedness, seek medical attention right away.
Fish can also cause a type of allergy called food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES), which triggers delayed vomiting a few hours later. You can learn more about FPIES here.
And remember, being allergic to one type of seafood doesn’t mean your baby will be allergic to all of it. About 50% of people allergic to one fish may react to others, but finned fish (salmon, cod, trout) and shellfish (shrimp, crab, lobster) are still entirely different allergen groups (2). Fish allergy can persist, and about 40% of people with it first react in adulthood. If severe allergies run in your family, it’s worth chatting with your doctor about a plan you feel good about (3).
Ok But... Not All Fish Are Created Equal
This is where things get more nuanced, and honestly, where most guidelines out there let parents down.
Certain fish are high in mercury: Methylmercury is a heavy metal that builds up in fish tissue (4). Bigger, older fish accumulate more of it because they eat other fish over a longer lifespan (4). Mercury is technically present in all fish to some degree since it’s released into the air and settles into water, but the amount varies a lot by species (4). Because a baby’s developing nervous system is especially sensitive, this is the piece worth paying attention to.
Other contaminants: Things like arsenic can come into play too across fish and shellfish, depending on which lake, river, or ocean they came from. Local environmental advisories are worth a quick check if you’re eating locally caught fish.
Sodium: Guidelines suggest babies get about 370 mg of sodium per day, though naturally occurring sodium in fish generally isn’t something to stress over compared to the benefits fish brings, and it can still fit into a balanced diet when you choose appropriate types and frequency (5). Just keep an eye on sodium coming from processed foods more broadly.
Antibiotics. Certain farm raised fish carry higher antibiotic levels, which brings us to…
Wild vs. Farmed: What's the Real Difference?
Wild fish live and feed in natural environments like oceans, rivers, and lakes. Farmed fish are raised in controlled environments (tanks or pens) with quality control that varies from farm to farm.
Because farmed fish live in more confined spaces and higher density, they’re more prone to disease, which often means more antibiotics and medications, some of which get passed along to us (6). There’s also potential for other contaminants like pesticides and PCBs (6).
Interestingly, mercury levels can actually run higher in wild caught fish, though both types can contain mercury given how polluted our waters are overall (7).
Wild fish tend to eat a more varied, higher quality diet, which generally means less saturated fat than farmed fish (8). Farmed fish, on the other hand, may have higher omega-3 levels thanks to fortified feed (though that feed is often a mix of fishmeal, soy, corn, and other binders, so quality varies) (8).
Farmed fish tend to be more available and less expensive, which brings sustainability into the conversation (9). Wild fisheries can be overfished or use methods that damage habitats (9). Farmed operations can pollute local waters, introduce disease to wild populations, or have fish escape and breed with wild stock (9).
Bottom line: it really comes down to the fishery. A great resource is SeaChoice.org, run by conservation groups, which uses a simple green/yellow/red system based on things like waste, habitat impact, antibiotic use, feed, and escape risk.
Fresh vs. Frozen vs. Canned
Good news here… all three are equally good options nutritionally. The only exceptions are fresh or frozen tuna (avoid entirely due to mercury) and canned tuna, where only canned light tuna is the safe pick.
For canned fish:
Look for a BPA-free lined can.
Choose fish canned in water or oil over sauces, which often carry added preservatives.
Go for no-sodium-added or low-sodium versions when you can. If that’s not available, rinse the fish thoroughly under water before serving.
One more note: smoked fish is one to skip for now. It tends to be very high in sodium and carries a higher listeria risk, which isn’t worth it for babies.
The Guidelines Out There... And Why We Think They Fall Short
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends 1 ounce of low-mercury fish, once or twice a week, for toddlers age 2 and up, following FDA and EPA mercury thresholds and broader dietary guidelines (10). But here’s the gap… there’s no specific guidance for babies under 2. The “best” and “good” mercury labels from the FDA/EPA are built for adults, who can tolerate more mercury than a baby can, so for babies parents are left to prioritize low mercury options (10).
Health Canada does address babies directly, and says there’s no set limit on most retail fish (defined as anything under 0.5 ppm total mercury), with specific caps only on higher mercury fish, like a max of 1.4 oz per week of canned albacore tuna, and 1.4 oz per month of very high mercury fish like shark (11). These recommendations are about eating fish safely, not avoiding it altogether.
Their reasoning is that it’s “considered unlikely that an infant could consume enough fish to be exposed to an unacceptable amount of mercury.” But here’s our qualm with that… with baby led feeding and the push to offer varied, textured foods often and in real quantities before 9 months, babies absolutely can eat significant amounts of fish. We’re actively teaching parents to build babies’ eating skills so they’re getting real calories from food. So the assumption that babies are only getting a “touch” of fish doesn’t hold up in practice.
To put actual numbers to it: in 2004, the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives set a tolerable weekly methylmercury intake of 1.6 micrograms per kg of bodyweight (12). As an example, for a 9 month old baby weighing 19 lbs, that weekly max is reached with:
30+ oz of salmon per week (basically impossible)
1.9 oz of halibut (about 4 pinky-length pieces… very possible)
1.2 oz of fresh tuna or 0.5 oz of shark (a bite or two… don’t even go there)
See the problem?
Some fish you could never realistically overdo, and others hit the limit in a single bite. And there’s a big gray zone of “in-between” fish that the official guidelines just don’t address clearly enough for babies. So we built our own framework to close that gap.
MLE's Guidelines for Fish Intake
Quick note on why we don’t love standard portion guidelines like “2 x 1 oz servings.” If your baby is hungry, baby led feeding philosophy says to offer more. We decide what’s on the plate, and baby decides how much of it they eat. That might be a small taste, or it might be 3 to 4 ounces in one sitting (we’ve seen it happen!). Taking food away once a baby signals they want more starts to undermine their ability to self-regulate.
And practically speaking… we don’t want you measuring exact ounces while your baby smushes fish across the high chair tray. Nobody has time for that.
So instead, our approach is based on mercury tiers, which lets your baby eat freely within each tier without you needing to measure a thing:
Ultra low mercury fish (0.06 ppm or less): Offer freely, aiming for at least 2 x 1 oz servings per week.
Low mercury fish (0.07–0.15 ppm): Offer roughly once every two weeks, still letting baby eat to fullness.
Moderately high mercury fish(0.16–0.25 ppm): Offer about once a month.
Very high mercury fish (0.25–0.45 ppm): Avoid completely for babies.
One more gap we noticed in the official guidelines… they don’t specify that fish choices should lean toward DHA-rich options. Babies 6 to 24 months need 10 to 12 mg of DHA per kg of body weight, so our recommendation is built around that: 2 x 1 oz servings of ultra low mercury, DHA-rich fish per week, minimum (13) .
MLE's Fish Picks for Babies and Toddlers
Here’s the full breakdown. Fish marked in bold are DHA-rich (containing at least 0.4g DHA per 100g) and are worth prioritizing for those twice-weekly servings, and among these types of fish, oily fish tend to provide more DHA, but every fish on the “offer freely” list is a genuinely great choice!
Offer as often as you like, aiming for at least 2 x 1 oz servings per week:
Salmon (Atlantic farmed, fresh, or canned, or Pacific wild), Sardines, Arctic Char, Atlantic Mackerel, American Shad, Anchovies, Oysters, Pollock (Boston bluefish), Tilapia, Crawfish, Mullet, Catfish, Whiting, Clam, Crab, Scallops, Cod (generally low in mercury, rich in protein, and mild tasting), Sole, Flounder, Haddock, Shrimp, Squid, Butterfish, Branzino (farmed, a type of sea bass)
Offer no more than once every two weeks:
Farmed freshwater Rainbow Trout, Steelhead Trout, Black Sea Bass, Striped Bass, Herring (rinse well if jarred/preserved to remove excess salt), Pacific Chub Mackerel, White Fish, Canned Light Tuna*, Smelt, Skate, Perch, Pickerel, Atlantic Croaker, Lobster, Hake, Buffalo Fish, Carp, Sheepshead, Tilefish (not from Gulf of Mexico).
*A note on canned light tuna: we know there’s a lot of noise online about tuna, so let’s clear it up. Canned light tuna tests at around 0.13 ppm, which still falls within our low mercury tier. That means your baby would need to eat 3.73 oz in a week before hitting the weekly limit. Offered once every two weeks, baby could eat almost 8 oz in one sitting and still be fine. If your baby is somehow eating that much fish in one sitting (go baby!), just shift it to the once-a-month category instead.
Worth noting, testing has shown some individual cans can run higher in mercury than official averages suggest, since there’s natural variance can to can. If that’s a concern for you, Safe Catch tests every tuna they use and holds a mercury limit 10x stricter than the FDA’s. Same goes for their sardines and salmon.
One more thing… tuna often shows up on generic “high DHA” food lists, but that’s referring to fresh tuna, not the canned light tuna we recommend for babies, which contains much less.
Offer no more than once a month:
Halibut, Mahi Mahi, Grouper, Monkfish, Rockfish, Snapper, Weakfish/Sea Trout
Avoid completely:
(fish in this group that are bolded can be offered after age 2, once a month)
King Mackerel, Marlin, Orange Roughy, Shark, Swordfish, Tilefish (from Gulf of Mexico), Bigeye Tuna, Bluefish, Chilean Sea Bass/Patagonian Toothfish, Sablefish, Spanish Mackerel, Albacore/White Tuna (canned or fresh/frozen), Yellowfin Tuna, White/Pacific Croaker
There isn’t enough data yet (per the FDA) on where mussels fit into these tiers, so we’d suggest holding off on those until after age 1.
Making Sure It's Safe: Prep, Bones, and Texture
The Squish Test: Before offering fish to your baby, try mashing a piece of cooked fish between your thumb and finger. If it squashes easily, it’s safe for baby! If it feels firm, bouncy, or rubbery, it needs more cooking or a different prep method.
The Flake and Feel bone check: Once cooked, flake the fish apart with a fork, then run clean fingers through the pieces. Your fingers will catch small pin bones your eyes might miss, especially in salmon fillets labeled “boneless.” It’s a 30 second habit that’s well worth it.
Best cooking methods: Steaming and poaching are the gold standard since moist heat keeps fish tender and easy to mash. When preparing fish, keep hands, utensils, and surfaces clean to avoid cross-contamination. If you’re baking, try tenting it with parchment so the edges don’t crust up and get too firm for baby’s gums. Cook fish thoroughly to an internal temperature of 145°F (62.8°C), since proper handling and full cooking help lower the risk of food poisoning (14).
Offering fish by age and skill:
6 to 9 months (palmar grasp): babies scoop with their whole palm, so offer large, finger-length flaky pieces they can hold in their fist and gnaw on.
9 months+ (pincer grasp): as they develop finger dexterity, move toward smaller, soft, bite-sized pieces they can pick up between thumb and pointer finger. You can continue offering large, finger-length pieces to help baby with biting and chewing practice!
If figuring out how to serve foods safely and texture progression feels like a lot to figure out on your own, our Baby Led Feeding™ Program walks you through exactly how to modify family meals like baked cod or salmon so they’re safe and age-appropriate for your baby, step by step.
Fish Recipe Ideas
Puree/mash: Salmon and Sweet Potato Puree, Sardine Spread
Baby led weaning/soft finger foods: Sweet Potato Salmon Cakes, Sardines & Cauliflower Mash, Sardine Fritters with Tzatziki, Cod Potato Cakes
More advanced textures: Maple Dijon Salmon & Broccoli, Sheet Pan Salmon & Squash with Miso Orange Dressing, Coconut Curry Cod with Bok Choy and Rice, Pan Seared Haddock with Mashed Potatoes & Green Beans
You will find all of these recipes and more (500+) in the Little Eater’s Recipe Library!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can babies eat canned tuna?
Yes, canned light tuna is a good choice, not albacore or white tuna, which run higher in mercury. Canned light tuna falls in our low mercury tier, so it’s fine to offer roughly once every two weeks, letting your baby eat freely at that frequency. Choose low sodium or no-salt-added, packed in water, and rinse thoroughly if that’s not available.
What's the best first fish for baby?
Salmon and sardines are both great options for babies since they’re high in DHA and flake into soft pieces easily. Cod or haddock work well too if you want something milder for a new palate, and cod is mild tasting. All are low mercury and pass the squish test.
How much fish can a 7 month old eat?
For ultra low mercury fish, there’s no need to cap it, just follow their hunger cues. For fish in the low or moderate mercury tiers, stick to the frequency guidelines above (biweekly or monthly) rather than a strict per-meal amount.
Can I give my baby frozen fish?
Absolutely. Most frozen seafood is flash-frozen right after catch, which locks in the omega-3s and vitamins. Just thaw it safely in the fridge overnight and check for bones after cooking.
Is shellfish safe for babies under 1?
Yes, shrimp, crab, and lobster can be introduced around 6 months along with everything else. The main thing to manage is texture, since shellfish can be rubbery, so mince it finely or work it into a soft patty to keep it safe. Keep in mind that shellfish is a separate category of top allergens, so you’ll need to follow the proper protocol when introducing it. You can learn more about how to introduce and serve shellfish safely here.
What if my baby has a reaction to fish?
Stop offering it and contact your doctor or pediatrician if you notice signs of an allergic reaction like hives or a rash. Taking a quick photo can help your doctor later. If you see difficulty breathing, widespread swelling, or your baby seems unusually lethargic, seek emergency care right away.
Do I need to check salmon fillets for bones even if they're labeled boneless?
Yes, always. Use the Flake and Feel method mentioned above after cooking, every time. It’s a quick habit that catches what “boneless” labeling sometimes misses.
Can babies eat raw fish or sushi?
No, raw fish carries a real risk of foodborne illness for a baby’s developing immune system. Stick to fully cooked fish (internal temp of 145°F) for now, most guidance suggests waiting until at least age 5 for raw seafood (15).
Grab the Cheat Sheet
That is genuinely a lot to remember, so we put it all in one place for you. Download it, print it, stick it on the fridge, and reference it whenever you’re fish shopping or meal planning.
PIN THIS INFO TO SAVE FOR LATER!
References
1) Turcanu, V., Brough, H. A., Du Toit, G., Foong, R. X., Marrs, T., Santos, A. F., & Lack, G. (2017). Immune mechanisms of food allergy and its prevention by early intervention. Current opinion in immunology, 48, 92–98. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coi.2017.08.009
2) Sicherer, S. H. (2001). Clinical implications of cross-reactive food allergens. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 108(6), 881–890. https://doi.org/10.1067/mai.2001.118515
3) American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. (n.d.). Fish allergy. Retrieved September 10, 2026, from https://acaai.org/allergies/allergic-conditions/food/fish/
4) U.S. Food and Drug Administration & U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2024). Advice about eating fish. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/food/metals-and-your-food/fdaepa-2004-advice-what-you-need-know-about-mercury-fish-and-shellfish
5) National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2019). Dietary reference intakes for sodium and potassium. The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/25353
6) Hites, R. A., Foran, J. A., Carpenter, D. O., Hamilton, M. C., Knuth, B. A., & Schwager, S. J. (2004). Global assessment of organic contaminants in farmed salmon. Science, 303(5655), 226–229. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1091447
7) Kelly, B. C., Ikonomou, M. G., Higgs, D. A., Oakes, J., & Dubetz, C. (2008). Mercury and other trace elements in farmed and wild salmon from British Columbia, Canada. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 27(6), 1361–1370. https://doi.org/10.1897/07-527.1
8) Sissener, N. H. (2018). Are we what we eat? Changes to the feed fatty acid composition of farmed salmon and its effects through the food chain. Journal of Experimental Biology, 221(Suppl. 1), jeb161521. https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.161521
9) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Office of Aquaculture. (2022). Potential risks of aquaculture escapes [Fact sheet]. NOAA Fisheries. https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/s3/2022-03/Fact-Sheet-Potential-Risks-of-Aquaculture-Escapes.pdf
10) U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2021, October). Advice about eating fish. https://www.fda.gov/food/consumers/advice-about-eating-fish
11) HealthLink BC. (n.d.). Mercury in fish. https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/healthlinkbc-files/mercury-fish
12) European Food Safety Authority. (2004, March 18). Opinion of the Scientific Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain on a request from the Commission related to the safety of mercury in fish. https://www.efsa.europa.eu/sites/default/files/event/2004/af040608-ax7.pdf
13) World Health Organization. (2023). WHO guideline for complementary feeding of infants and young children 6–23 months of age. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240081864
14) U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2024). Selecting and serving fresh and frozen seafood safely. https://www.fda.gov/food/buy-store-serve-safe-food/selecting-and-serving-fresh-and-frozen-seafood-safely
15) Gillin, S. (2018, July 20). Is it safe for my child to eat sushi? HealthyChildren.org. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/tips-tools/ask-the-pediatrician/Pages/Is-it-safe-for-my-child-to-eat-sushi.aspx
Edwena Kennedy, RD, BSc. Neuroscience
Founder & Lead Pediatric Registered Dietitian at My Little Eater
Edwena is a Registered Dietitian with over 15 years of experience in pediatric nutrition, two post-secondary degrees (Neuroscience and Applied Human Nutrition), and a mama of two boys. She's the creator of the Texture Timeline™ and is backed by a team of pediatric dietitians and a speech-language pathologist. Meet the full team here.
Edwena Kennedy, RD, BSc. Neuroscience
Founder & Lead Pediatric Registered Dietitian at My Little Eater
Edwena is a Registered Dietitian with over 15 years of experience in pediatric nutrition, two post-secondary degrees (Neuroscience and Applied Human Nutrition), and a mama of two boys. She's the creator of the Texture Timeline™ and is backed by a team of pediatric dietitians and a speech-language pathologist. Meet the full team here.
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23 Comments
My Baby boy just turned 2. Can I give him American Channel Cat fish and canned wild sardines in EV Olive oil.
Please reply
Hi Christy! Both sardines and catfish are included in our list of fish options that are generally lower in mercury, so yes these can be offered to your toddler, aiming for at least 2x 1oz servings per week. Sardines are also high in DHA which is great 🙂
My granddaughter is 11 mo
Can she be given no sodium tuna or salmon and how often per week?
Hi Renee – great question! Salmon is a great choice for babies as it is a fish high in healthy fats that are very important for babies growth and development, and is also ultra low in mercury. You can offer salmon (atlantic farmed, fresh, or canned, or pacific wild) as often as you’d like, aiming for at least 2 x 1oz servings per week.
We recommend to completely avoid giving babies fresh or frozen tuna due to high mercury levels. However, canned light tuna has lower levels and is on our list of fish to offer no more than once every two weeks. I hope this helps! 🙂
Thank you for this fantastic guide! It’s so reassuring to have clear information on safe fish options for little ones. I appreciate the detailed explanations and the emphasis on sustainability. Can’t wait to try some of these recipes with my baby!
So glad you found this helpful!
Thank you for this comprehensive guide! It’s so helpful to know which fish are safe for my little one. I appreciate the tips on introducing fish to their diet and the emphasis on sustainability. Can’t wait to try some of these recommendations!
We’re so glad to hear you found this blog helpful!
This guide is so helpful! I had no idea which fish were safe for my little one. Thank you for breaking it down so clearly!
Thank you for this comprehensive guide! It’s so helpful to have a clear understanding of which fish are safe for my little one. I appreciate the focus on both nutrition and safety. I’ll be trying some of these recommendations soon!
This looks so helpful, but I some of the items on the list seem to contradict other lists I’ve seen out there. Do you mind giving a little more information about why cod is in the unlimited category when it’s listed much further down the FDA’s list? Are some lists using the mean concentrations and others using the median?
This is a great question! If you go on the FDA list, the median mercury concentration for cod is 0.066, which puts it in low/ultra low levels of mercury! The mean value can be skewed by outliers, but the median can better show an average level!
Thank you for this thorough guide! It’s so reassuring to have a list of safe fish options for my baby. I especially appreciate the tips on how to introduce fish into their diet. Can’t wait to try some of these recipes!
Thanks for this informative guide! It’s reassuring to know which fish are safest for our little ones. I especially appreciate the tips on cooking methods to retain nutrients. Can’t wait to try some of these with my baby!
Hello, This is so helpful!!! I am not able to download the guide. Could you please check ? Thank you!
Thank you for letting us know! It should be all fixed now 🙂
I must appreciate the author of this article because it is not easy to compose this article together.
Thanks for sharing. I read many of your blog posts, cool, your blog is very good.
We’re so glad this was helpful! Thanks for your comment 🙂
This is such a helpful guide! I’ve been nervous about introducing fish to my 9-month-old, especially with all the mercury concerns. We tried salmon last week after reading your recommendations, and she loved it. Do you have any tips for preparing it in a way that minimizes the fishy smell for picky little eaters?
Hi there! So glad you found this guide helpful 🙂 For minimizing the fishy smell, I would recommend either mixing pieces of the fish into a mashed food, such as mashed potatoes, hummus, mayo, etc., or make a patty recipe, such as a salmon patty!
The way you point out that black-and-white advice misses the whole picture really resonated with me—especially that line about how restrictive guidelines just add stress instead of helping us feel confident with variety.