At what age can babies be given salt?

When Can Babies Eat Salt

Babies under 12 months of age should not be given foods with added salt due to their developing kidneys and risk of excessive sodium intake.

Physiological Considerations for Salt Intake in Infants

First 6 Months

• During the first 6 months of life, breast milk or infant formula provides all necessary sodium without the need for additional salt 1
• The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends exclusive breastfeeding or formula feeding for the first 6 months of life 1
• No nutritional indication exists to give any additional foods, including those containing salt, before 6 months 1

6-12 Months

• As complementary foods are introduced after 6 months, no salt should be added to baby foods 2
• Most nutrition guidelines recommend avoiding foods with added salt for infants aged 6-12 months 2
• Commercial baby foods are formulated with appropriate sodium levels for infants and become important sources of sodium after 6 months 3

Sodium Requirements and Sources

• After 6 months, the main sodium sources for infants should be:
  • Formula (26.7% of intake in 6-11.9 month-olds)
  • Commercial baby foods (8.8% of intake in 6-11.9 month-olds) 4
  • Natural sodium content in whole foods

Rationale for Salt Restriction in Infancy

Kidney Development

• Infant kidneys are still developing their sodium excretion capacity
• While recent research suggests 6-12 month-olds may have adequate sodium excretion capacity 2, a cautious approach is still recommended to prevent potential kidney stress

Long-term Health Implications

• Early exposure to high salt intake may influence future taste preferences 5
• Excessive sodium intake is associated with increased risk of hypertension later in life
• Infants naturally prefer salty taste (3-4 month-olds can detect and prefer sodium chloride solutions over plain water) 5

Special Considerations

Salt vs. Sodium

• It's important to distinguish between:
  • Added salt (sodium chloride) - which should be avoided
  • Natural sodium in foods - which is necessary and appropriate

Risk of Insufficient Sodium

• Some research suggests very low sodium intake (150-300 mg/day) may be insufficient for infant needs 2
• However, breast milk, formula, and unsalted complementary foods typically provide adequate sodium without added salt

After 12 Months

• After 12 months, small amounts of salt may be introduced as part of family meals
• Recommended sodium intake for children 1-3 years is 1-3 mmol/kg/day (approximately 23-69 mg/kg/day) 1

Practical Guidelines for Parents

• Do not add salt to homemade baby foods
• Avoid processed foods with high sodium content
• Read labels on commercial baby foods to ensure appropriate sodium levels
• Be aware that common foods like soups, pasta dishes, and processed meats become significant sodium sources after 6 months 4
• When preparing family meals that will be shared with infants, set aside the infant's portion before adding salt

Pitfalls to Avoid

• Using salt as a flavor enhancer for infant foods
• Assuming all commercial baby foods have appropriate sodium levels (always check labels)
• Introducing cow's milk before 12 months (it can be high in sodium and is not recommended for other nutritional reasons) 3
• Using salt substitutes containing potassium for infant foods (these can cause hyperkalemia) 1

Following these guidelines will help ensure proper infant development while establishing healthy eating patterns that can continue throughout childhood.