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If your little bundle of joy has started eating solids, you may have considered including fish in their diet. However, to ensure you introduce this protein to them in an age-appropriate manner, you should find the right fish recipes for babies.
Fish is known to be highly beneficial for children and adults(1). It contains high amounts of vitamin D and omega 3 fatty acids, which are important for the adequate development of your baby’s brain and eyes. They also contain high levels of proteins without saturated fat content. Moreover, fish is a rich source of vitamins such as vitamin D and vitamin B2 and minerals such as iron, zinc, calcium, fluorine, iodine, magnesium, and potassium. However, it is a well-known fact that introducing new foods to babies and children is not easy. So how should you go about it?
Read on for a list of healthy, simple, quick, and delicious fish recipes that you can try making for your baby.
When To Include Fish In Your Baby’s Diet?
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When it comes to fish, there is a cacophony of expert voices!Some say wait till your baby is one before you introduce fish while others prefer waiting till the baby turns three. This is because fish is a known allergen. If your baby is prone to allergies, it is better to wait till she is one. But if your baby shows nosign of allergies, you can introduce her to fish by six months of age (2)! If their initial introduction to solids goes without a hitch, you can add new flavors to their diet by introducing fish.
But if you are thinking of shellfish and crustaceans such as lobster, oysters, etc. do consult yourbaby’s pediatricianfirst!
Research findsWhat Fish To Start With?
If you have decided to go ahead and give your baby a taste of fish, start with “white flesh” fish types. Some safe varieties of fish suitable as first baby food are:
- Flounder
- Haddock
- Cod
All these varieties are easy to digest and healthy for your baby.
Is Your Baby Allergic To Fish?
When you introduce any new food to your baby, look out for allergy symptoms. The same case applies to fish. Symptoms to watch out for (3):
- Swelling of the tongue, lips, and face
- Skin rash
- Wheezing
- Vomiting
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If your baby reacts with any of these symptoms, go to your pediatrician.
Are you looking for ways on how to cook fish for baby, make sure to de-bone it completely. This is the most important part of cooking fish for baby.
Fish Recipes For Babies
There are a number of ways you can cook fish. You can poach, bake, or steam the fish. You can alsoadd veggiesand fruits to make it more delicious. Homemade fish is best for your baby’s health.
Okay, don’t get confused! We have come up with a few easy to make, lip smacking fish recipes packed with nutrition. Your baby will love them, for sure!
1. Mashed Fish:
Wholesome and easy to make – this tasty fish recipe for babies is a winner!
Ingredients:
- One filet of any fish
- 1/8 cup 2% or whole milk
- One tablespoon melted butter
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 cup mashed peas
- 1/8 cup mashed carrots
- 1/8 cup mashed potatoes
How To Make:
- De-bone the fish.
- Now, cook the fish by steaming, poaching or baking.
- Shred the cooked fish to pieces to ensure all bones have been removed.
- Put all the ingredients in a blender and blend or dice.
- Toss all the ingredients together and serve!
Point to consider2. Oven Baked Plaice:
好好利用你的烤箱和做一些美味flavorful fish for your little angel!
Ingredients:
- One plaice filet, skinned
- 2 tomatoes
- 1/2 tsp unsalted butter
- Four fl oz (1/2 cup) milk
- One bay leaf
- 1 potato
How To Make:
- Preheat oven to180 degree C.
- Put plaice in an oven safe dish and place the tomato, butter and bay leaf on top.
- Pour in 3/4 of the milk.
- Cover and cook for 20 minutes.
- Simultaneously, boilthe potatoand mash with the remaining milk and butter.
- Mash the fish and puree it along withthe milkfrom cooking.
- Combine with the mashed potato and serve.
If your baby takes to fish, you are one step closer to raising a foodie! But in case of allergic reactions, stop immediately and consult your doctor. Fish can sometimes cause severe allergic reaction that can even prove fatal. Many varieties of fish are also known to contain mercury. So, stick with white flesh fish to prevent mercury poisoning.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How should I introduce fish to my baby?
You should remember these tips while introducing fish to your baby (4):
- If your baby is exclusively breastfed, introduce fish to them only after six months
- Choose fish with low mercury content
- Check the local or state advisory before feeding your baby any fish caught locally
- Remove the bones carefully before offering fish to your baby as it may cause choking hazards
- Puree the fish meat before giving it to your baby
- Always offer well-cooked fish to your baby
2. What fish should I avoid giving my babies?
You should avoid giving your babies fish with high mercury, such as blackfin tuna, swordfish, mackerel, and shark (4).
3. Can babies eat fish every day?
Yes, babies aged six to eight months can eat fish every day as a source of protein (4).
4. How much fish can babies eat?
Infants of age six months and above can eat one to two servings of fish in a week, where one serving is equal to one ounce (4).
Parents are often concerned about introducing fish to babies due to their allergic potential. “White flesh” type fish are considered safer to start with at about eight months than shellfish. Start with small quantities of fish in baked, steamed, or poached forms and look out for any signs of allergic reactions such as rashes, wheezing, or vomiting. Make sure you debone the fish completely before offering it to babies. Then, you can add it to their diet in the mashed form either alone or after combining it with other vegetables. Once they are a bit older, you can offer variety in the form of finger foods too.
Infographic: Delectable Fish Snacks For Babies
一旦你确保你的宝宝没有过敏的意图ctions to fish, you may prepare it in delicious ways for them. You can add vegetables to the dish to enhance its nutrient value or spices to enhance its taste. Check out the infographic below for some tasty and healthy options.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Get high-quality PDF version by clicking below.
Download Infographic
Key Takeaways
- Fish is a rich source of proteins for babies.
- Fish is abundant in vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids that support brain and eye development.
- Introduce fish to a child’s diet as early as six months old, unless they are allergic.
- Symptoms of a fish allergy include rash, wheezing, vomiting, swelling of the face, tongue, and lips.
- 比目鱼、黑线鳕鳕鱼是一些容易消化and nutritious fish options for babies.
References:
- Advice about Eating Fish; U.S. Food & Drug Administration.
https://www.fda.gov/food/consumers/advice-about-eating-fish#pattern - Food for baby’s first year, Florida Department of Health.
https://www.floridahealth.gov/programs-and-services/wic/nutrition-materials/_documents/food-for-babys-first-year-eng.pdf - Allergies in children, Cedars-Sinai.
https://www.cedars-sinai.org/health-library/diseases-and-conditions—pediatrics/a/allergies-in-children.html - Food for Baby’s First Year.
https://www.floridahealth.gov/programs-and-services/wic/nutrition-materials/_documents/food-for-babys-first-year-eng.pdf - Healthy Fish Choices for Kids.
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/all-around/Pages/Protecting-Your-Children-From-Contaminated-Fish.aspx - HOW DO I KNOW WHEN MY FISH IS COOKED?
https://www.seafoodnutrition.org/seafood-101/cooking/how-do-i-know-when-my-fish-is-cooked/
