How Much Salt Is Too Much For My Baby?
Salt Intake for Babies & Toddlers
By Laura Carbery of Hungry Munchkins
Why is too much salt bad for babies?
Babies under 12 months shouldn’t have any added salt through their diet. Their kidneys are immature and not fully developed to process it. Giving babies salt when they’re young may also set up bad habits for later in life leading them to prefer saltier, processed foods.
1g salt = good pinch salt = 400mg sodium
Daily Maximum Intake of Salt
Up to 6 months old less than 1g salt / day (they’ll get this from their milk)
7-12 months - 1g salt / day
1-3 years - 2g salt / day
4-6 years - 3g salt / day
7-10 years - 5g salt / day
Children over 11 years - 6g salt / day
Adult 6g salt / day
Some simple tips to help keep salt to a minimum in your baby / toddler’s diet:
• DON’T ADD SALT TO YOUR BABY / TODDLERS FOOD. Once you’ve cooked their meal, take out their portion/s and then season your meal after.
• AVOID HIGH SALT SAUCES such as soy sauce, fish sauce and jarred sauces that are too high in salt and sugar for babies. A simple sauce made with passata, herbs and garlic is perfect. Batch cook and freeze some homemade sauces so you have some to hand when you’ve busier days. Also keep an eye out for Janet’s Country Fair no added sugar and salt sauce range.
• USE LOW SALT OR VERY LOW SALT STOCK CUBES when cooking for babies and toddlers. These can be bought in all good supermarkets. Look out for brands such as Kallo, Piccalo and Boots own brand. Perfect for making soups, casseroles, Bolognese etc.
• USE HERBS, SPICES, LEMON JUICE ETC FOR FLAVOUR. You’d be amazed at how quickly you get used to eating less salt when you start cooking with it less at home. Sometimes weaning is actually a good time for us as parents to cook meals with more balance .
• CHOOSE WHOLEMEAL TOAST / UNSALTED CORN CAKES WITH SMOOTH NUT BUTTERS OR HUMMUS instead of salty snacks just as crisps or Tuc crackers. Read the labels of packaged foods and check for salt content. Swipe right for traffic light system which you will see on food labels ->
• CHOOSE UNPROCESSED MEATS SUCH A CHICKEN, MINCE, FISH ETC WITHOUT PRE-MADE SAUCES / BREADCRUMBS ADDED. Rashers, sausages, hams, smoked fish and even plant-based nuggets etc are all high in salt and unsuitable for little ones.
• CHOOSE UNSALTED BUTTER AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE FOR YOUR BABY or a lower salt spread. If pan frying use a little oil instead of butter.
• CHOOSE LOW SALT AND SUGAR BREAKFAST CEREALS such a porridge, Weetabix, Shredded Wheat and Ready Brek. Mashed or stewed fruits, natural yogurt and milled seeds can be added to make breakfast cereals more interesting!
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