Skip to main content

NewFolks may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

Buying toddler-safe fish — where to start and what to know

We know many kinds of seafood, like tuna and salmon, contain crucial nutrients like vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids. As parents, we want to give our kids the best and help them get off to a healthy start, so it’s understandable you want your child to eat fish, too.

But, if you were recently pregnant or breastfeeding, you know many doctors suggest limiting or avoiding mercury-dense fish like swordfish and tuna and raw fish like sushi. So, can toddlers eat salmon or tuna? Can they join you on a sushi night?

To help you navigate the waters of feeding your child fish, we spoke with Rima Kleiner, M.S., RD, a licensed dietitian and nutritionist who frequently writes about eating seafood on her blog, Dish on Fish.

toddler eating seafood
amsw photography/Pexels

Can toddlers eat fish?

Children can start eating fish like tuna and salmon when they begin solid foods, typically around 6 months. The nutrients, like protein, omega-3s, vitamin D, and calcium, are good for kids, too.

“Since toddlers are growing rapidly, adequate intake of these nutrients is essential for optimal brain, eye, bone, cell, and heart development,” Kleiner said. “Another overlooked but still important benefit of offering fish to young children is helping them to develop lifelong healthy food habits early on.”

But there are a few fish to avoid at first. Though you may want your little foodie-in-training to love sushi as much as you do, the FDA recommends not giving raw fish to young children.

“Stick with cooked-fish sushi in children 4 years and younger,” Kleiner said.

Opt for store-bought sushi with a “cooked-fish” label or order cooked fish at a restaurant.

“Rolling sushi makes a great age-appropriate sous chef job for your toddler [at home],” Kleiner said.

Mercury-dense fish, like swordfish and shark, are also no-no’s. You can introduce anything else to your little one starting at 6 months, and it’s definitely acceptable for a toddler. Kleiner said that it’s fine to serve it two to three times per week — a similar recommendation researchers give adults. Shellfish is an allergen, so introduce it and watch for any negative side effects, particularly if the allergy runs in the family.

How should you serve a toddler fish?

There are plenty of ways to give fish to your child. Kleiner suggests time-pressed parents give pouched or canned tuna and salmon or bite-sized pieces of cooked salmon.
You can add some interest by lightly breading fish sticks and serving with a dip like sweet honey mustard or mild barbecue sauce. These Bamboo trays make it easy to separate the dip from the fish and whatever sides, like veggies, are on the menu. They also have suctions to ensure the tray stays put and doesn’t become a Frisbee mid-meal.

“If one of their favorite dipping sauces comes with the fish plate, picky eaters might be more willing to try something new,” Kleiner said.

Or, swap beef and chicken for salmon or whitefish on taco night.

“Make it fun,” she said.

Parents sometimes lament about the amount of food they waste when their kiddo doesn’t finish it all. Since it’s best not to force food on a child, consider storing the leftovers in containers like these from Rubbermaid and repurpose them in comfort food favorites like mac and cheese or quesadillas instead.

These easy-to-grip spoons and forks help your child get food to their mouths rather than the floor.

toddler eating fish

What happens if you’re dealing with a picky eater?

Fish can be an acquired taste for some kids, but research shows kids who are involved with shopping and meal prep are more likely to eat the food.

“Young children can open pouched or canned tuna and salmon, scoop it out … and mix it into … cooled dishes,” Kleiner said.

Takeaways

Your toddler can eat fish like tuna and salmon — these foods actually have a bevy of health benefits, including vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids. There are a variety of ways you can serve fish to your toddler, including pouches, bite-sized and lightly breaded potions. Make things more fun and satisfy a picky eater by including fish in toddler-favorite foods like mac and cheese, quesadillas, and tacos.

Editors' Recommendations

BethAnn Mayer
Beth Ann's work has appeared on healthline.com and parents.com. In her spare time, you can find her running (either marathons…
Day care birthday party ideas: Celebrate your toddler’s big day in style
Where to start when putting together a birthday party at your kiddo's day care center
Little girls having cupcakes to celebrate a birthday at day care

Birthdays are such a big event for kids. When it's their birthday, they want to celebrate everywhere. School-aged kids love to share birthday treats with their classmates, sports teams, and the places they do after-school activities. Toddlers aren't any different. Birthdays are a major source of excitement for toddlers.

Toddlers want to spread that birthday excitement with everyone, especially their day care friends. It's not out of the question to have a birthday party at a day care center and there are certainly plenty of fun day care birthday party ideas. So, if your toddler wants to have a birthday celebration at day care, here's how.

Read more
Why do toddlers hit themselves? The reason may surprise you
Toddlers hitting themselves is on the list of strange behaviors a parent needs to know about
A little upset boy pulling at his hair.

Children tend to do some of the weirdest, unexplainable things. Toddlers especially know how to bring a bit of pizazz to the day. But it's a jarring experience for any parent the first time their sweet baby reaches up and hits them. It's even more confusing for parents to see their toddler turn their anger inward and hit themself in the head or on their body. Why toddlers hit themselves is one of those parenting things you don't get prepared for.

Children who have never been physically disciplined may still hit themselves, scratch themselves, or pound their head against walls or the floor when they're frustrated. Why do toddlers do this? Do they grow out of it? How do parents do to stop it? And when do you know whether you might need to seek professional guidance for your child? Let's dig into this part of toddlerdom most parents will have to deal with.

Read more
Is Theraflu safe for breastfeeding moms?
Find out if cold remedies are safe when breastfeeding
Woman kissing her sleeping baby

Just like how you have to watch everything you put in your body when you're pregnant, you have to do the same when you're breastfeeding. When a particularly bad case of the flu hits, or you pick up a nasty virus, any breastfeeding parent will be eager to find something that will help them feel better.

Sometimes, nursing moms need cold medicine. Theraflu is a safe medication that common flu symptoms like low fever, cough, runny nose, and muscle soreness, however, if you're breastfeeding you should take caution when taking Theraflu. Let’s discuss the reasons why.

Read more