Ok...so I've been researching online and have found that a lot of studies say that it's ok to introduce salmon before your baby is a year old. I asked my doctor and he said to wait til my daughter is a year old. I forgot to ask why he felt that way, but I really feel that it would be beneficial for her to eat salmon for the DHA and omega -3's - I am pretty sure that I read it helps their brain the earlier you start. I want to know if the salmon might be too much for her to digest or maybe because her organs aren't fully developed or something like that, and that's why her doctor is against introducing it early to her. Has anyone else had advice like this from their doctors? Has anyone else introduced fish to their children earlier than a year? Any feed back on this issue would be helpful - THANKS!
Thanks for all the advice ladies! =) Well my daughter is breastfed so I guess as long as I am still taking my prenatal vitamins she will get enough of the DHA and omega 3's. We have no history of food allergies in either side of the families but I guess as some of you pointed out - it's only a few months. I'll be waiting to give her any fish. =) Thanks again!
I didnt give my son fish till a year old for the allergy thing. fish allergies are a very common allergy. Under 1 I only did baby food cereal and crackers
if there's any question of safety, then why not just wait? We're only talking a few months here!
In the meantime, ask the dr for clarification so you better understand his viewpoint. Peace!
The reason most doc's say to wait is just because of the risk of an allergic reaction. The thing is IF she is allergic and you give it to her when she is thing young she could have a life threatening reaction (like lungs swelling shut) but if you waited until she is older and her body is bigger she could still have a reaction but maybe not so bad (like breaking out in hives) So I always just wait on all that kind of stuff like sea food, peanut butter etc. I just figure why risk it? But if you really feel strongly to give it to her now just try a small, small piece and then wait a while to make sure nothing happens.
I was also told to wait until 1 year for all fish and seafood. They may be more prone to allergic reactions, or unable to digest it properly. I would probably err on the side of caution and wait, but if you really want to do it make sure you do your research and call the ped. back and ask SPECIFICALLY why not. They may end up saying ok...
Hmm, as long as it is wild salmon, I can't imagine any reason to wait. My kids LOVE salmon (as long as I do a good job cooking it.) I only buy wild fish, as the mercury levels in farmed fish is concerning.
First, what is your family's allergy history with regards to seafood/shellfish?
If anyone is has severe allergies, then just avoid. It's much easier for your doctor to play it safe than sorry.
I have given all my children FISH, salmon, cod, trout, etc before their 1st Bday. But definitely NOT seafood or crustaceans, i.e. shrimp, crab, mussels, shellfish. And for good cause, as my mother is allergic to shrimp and so is my 3rd child, and naturally, had to learn that the hard way. It's difficult b/c she loves shrimp. She can now tolerate 1 (one) large shrimp only at a time and never any small shrimp.
Just gently poach the fish and be uber vigilant about bones
I gave my daughter salmon sometime after 9 months. I have only heard to wait on shellfish, which I did and tried that at a year. I think you have no history of allergies to seafood you should be fine. I have a son who is 3 months old and I will do the same thing to him once he starts eating. My doctor was very big on once the baby is nine months they eat what we eat.
If you get salmon, make sure you get WILD-caught salmon,
NOT farm-raised salmon. If you have a Trader Joe's in your area,
they probably have wild-caught salmon in their freezer case.
Try just a few little bits of (broiled? steamed?) salmon,
perhaps together w/some veggies or noodles or rice
at first and see how she does.
Enjoy!
Give her salmon but mush it through your fingers to make sure there are no bones. I would not let her eat it more then once a week because of unknown mercury content. Give her Nordic Naturals Children's DHA in liquid or squishy eggs that taste good.
My daughter's favorite food has always been sushi (we replaced raw fish with cooked fish when she was smaller). My family is allergy free, on both sides, for generations. And my partner works in the shellfish/fishing industry so we have access to a lot of fresh out of the sea, free food. It makes sense for us to eat it. So, my kid ate fish and shellfish quite early. My pediatrician approved our decision and took into consideration the rest of her/our family's constitution. I made sure to introduce it slowly (and not to introduce other foods within the same week as fish) and I did and continue to keep fish to the recommended levels because of mercury.
She really loves salmon and is the only two and a half year old I know who enjoys oyster shooters.
I think it's one of those things we have to feel out with the help of our trusted health care professional.
Read this article. It will help you understand why you should stay away from salmon, especially for young children.
...Our Pediatrician... says not to give meats/fish until after 1 years old.
Sometimes, too much protein can overburden the kidneys...
Are you Formula feeding or breastfeeding???
For the 1st year of life... breast/Formula is a baby's PRIMARY source of nutrition... not solids and not other liquids. And to feed on-demand. "Solids" for the 1st year, is only an introduction for foods.
Next: a baby can get DHA's/Omegas from other things. If giving formula for example, it has DHA's/Omegas in it. If breastfeeding... per my OB/GYN.... he said to ALWAYS take Prenatal vitamins AND DHA/Omega supplements for YOU. While breastfeeding.
I would wait. There is no rush to give fish... or meats.
All the best,
Susan
chia seeds ground in your coffee grinder (cleaned out of course) and or hemp seeds are a healthier and better environmental choice for omega 3,6 and 9
Its due to potential allergies. Our pedi said only to wait if there were allergies in the immediate family. So when you introduce it make sure there are no other new foods for a few days so you can isloate the cause if there is an allergy.
The type of salmon you choose means everything. Organic/hormone free is a good choice and talk with your local butcher/fish monger at the grocer. There is debate over wild vs farm and it depends on the farm. We chose wild and my little one has been eating it since about 7 or 8 mos old (no more than 1x per week).
good luck and if she doesn't like it...keep trying!
I didn't introduce fish that early, but I am guessing the issue is mercury. There can be a lot of mercury in some types of salmon. The wild type is worse, I believe, but you can look it up to make sure.
My husband is Asian and we followed their tradition (slightly modified) of giving a rice/fish based thick soup by the time my son was about 5mo. He was a hungry baby! It was cooked rice boiled for an hour with fresh fish and he liked it in small doses and to this day still loves it. Now we add other seafoods such dry scallops. We gave him salmon after he was 12 mo. I would say wait a month or two....don't think it would make that much difference. And puree it finely or start with other less fishy flavors. The doctor may think it is a hard food to digest or for allergy reasons. Another reason is the effect of contaminated fish in a developing body. It is wonderful for their growth and my son LOVES salmon, in all its forms. We have smoked salmon almost every morning for breakfast (introduced as soon as he turned one, only because I never thought of doing it earlier). Salmon mixed with rice is yummy treat....even for the young one.
