Fish for Babies – When to Introduce, Benefits and Recipes

Fish is one of the most powerful sources of protein and also the healthiest non-vegetarian source of protein. If you are a non-vegetarian, this super-healthy food is a must in your baby’s diet but you will have to find out what fish is good for the baby before doing so.

Benefits of Fish for Infant

Fish is beneficial for your baby’s health and growth in the following ways:

• It is a powerful source of protein.
• It is rich in omega-3 fatty acids so it is important to choose the best fish for baby brain development.
• Fish-meat keeps the heart healthy.
• It aids in the development of eyes and keeping them healthy.
• Fishes are an excellent source of fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E & K.

When to Introduce Fish to Your Baby

Fish is similar to any other solid food item that you will feed the baby with. It can be introduced into his diet after he is 6 months old. However, it is essential to check for any fish allergy the baby may have. In case of an allergy, it will help if you could wait till he becomes 8 months old so that the risk of allergy can be minimised. If your infant is already on a diet of cereals and other homemade items and hasn’t reacted to them, adding fish to his diet may not create any issues. In any case, it is best to check with your paediatrician before taking the decision and inform him about any family history of food allergies.

How to Introduce Fish to Your Child

Any new food item should be carefully introduced to your little one’s diet and one should ensure the baby has accepted it well. Initially, do not feed your baby with a variety of fish at the same time. Instead, feed one type of fish, check your baby’s response to it and then move to the next variety. Steamed fish is easy on a baby’s digestion and hence it the best way to feed fish. Shallow frying or baking is also an alternative provided the fish is deboned, pureed and then added to your baby’s regular feed. You can also fry the fish using turmeric powder as a marinate and debone it before feeding the baby.

Safety Measures While Introducing Fish to Babies

It is recommended to take the following precautions while introducing fish in your baby’s diet:

• Make sure the fish is thoroughly cleaned before it is cooked.
• Avoid fish with high mercury content.
• Make sure you use fresh fish only for your little one.
• Raw fish recipes like sushi should be avoided.

Which Fish are Safe for Baby?

The best fishes for babies to eat are the ones that are high in protein, low in mercury content and are preferably larger in size. Larger fish means larger bones and this reduces any scope of fish bones being lodged in your baby’s throat. The following fish are considered safe for consumption by a baby:

1. Sardines

Commonly known as tarli, this is one of the healthiest sources of omega-3 fatty acids, proteins, Vit D and phosphorus. Due to the high Vitamin D in them, the absorption of calcium and phosphorus is easier and this strengthens the bones.

2. Pomfrets

This fish contains Vitamin A, B3, B12, E and Niacin in abundant quantities which are ideal for healthy skin and a robust digestive system. The mercury content in pomfrets is low too.

3. Salmon

This fish is available in the form of rawas in India and is the safest to be added to your tiny baby’s diet. With its low mercury content and low allergy causing contents, rawas can be the ideal fish to introduce your baby to.

What Type of Fishes Should You Avoid?

The following fish should be avoided while considering a baby’s diet:

• Mackerel: Locally known as bangda, this variety of fish is known to contain mercury in large quantities and hence is a no-no as far as babies and pregnant women are considered.
• Shellfish: This variety of fish consists of crab, shrimp and prawns. Although the mercury content is low, shellfish can cause allergies in infants and hence you should wait until your baby is at least a year old.

Side-Effects of Fish on Babies

It is important to understand the side effects of fish on babies before you add them to its meals:

• As mentioned above, many varieties of fish have a high content of mercury. This can have a telling impact on the developing nervous systems of babies.
• Mercury in fish can have side effects like the kidneys and skin of the baby if consumed for a long period of time.
• Shellfish contain methylmercury and other harmful chemicals which have an effect on the overall growth of a baby.

How to Know if Your Infant is Allergic to Fish?

When you feed your baby with fish for the first time, you should watch out for certain symptoms:

• Rash or welts on the baby’s skin
• Swelling on the face or tongue
• Vomiting or diarrhoea
• Difficulty in breathing
• Coughing or wheezing

Delicious Fish Recipes for Your Baby

Try the following simple yet tasty fish recipes for Indian babies :

1. Fish Puree

Ingredients

Boneless fish, pepper or cumin powder

Recipe

• Put the fish pieces in a pan, pour water and steam it until the fish turns white.
• Remove it from the pan and add a pinch of pepper or cumin powder.
• Mash it to fine paste or blend it and serve.

2. Fish and Carrot Puree

Ingredients

½ cup boneless fish, 1 carrot, cumin or pepper powder

Recipe

• Steam the boneless fish and finely cut carrot until they are well cooked and soft.
• Using a mixer, blend it till it becomes a puree.
• Add a pinch of pepper or cumin powder.

Fish is a fabulous source of proteins, vitamins and minerals, thus making it a vital ingredient to help the baby’s development. Remember, it should be consumed in moderate amounts. Check the mercury content in the fish variety if possible and you should be good to go.