When Is It Safe To Introduce Salt to Your Baby?

When Jordan watched her baby see holiday lights for the first time, it was like seeing the world through fresh eyes, everything became new and exciting again. Raising her daughter was full of so many firsts; she was happy to share all of her own joys with her baby. Especially when her baby started eating solid foods, reaching for food on the table, and being excited to try everything, Jordan wanted to help her baby experience the wonders of new tastes. 

Like many parents, Jordan made some of her baby food, researched organic and fresh baby food delivery options, tasted some store-bought, and had the same thought many parents have, that baby food is a little bland and might taste better with more salt. 

For parents like Jordan looking for convenient, organic baby food options, Square Baby offers a range of nutritious, ready-to-serve meals that cater to little ones' developing tastes.

Few things are as crucial to a baby’s development as their diet, which is why medical professionals spend so much time researching and teaching optimum food for babies, especially about sugar and salt for babies. 

When Should You Introduce Salt To A Baby?

Once your baby starts on solid foods, you may wonder when babies can have salt. It might be helpful to remember that many foods, including breastmilk and formula, already contain sodium or the ingredients we call ‘salt.’ Salt is natural in our diets, but it is still important to follow guidelines and understand the timing of how to introduce it to your little one. 

When Can A Baby Have Salt?

Appropriate and healthy salt intake for infants is achieved through the baby’s formula or breastmilk; there is no need to supplement with additional salt. For the first year, it is important to limit baby salt intake by carefully preparing foods for older infants who have started on solids. 

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that caregivers not add salt to any food that might be shared with an infant, including not adding salt to water that cooks pasta or vegetables. 

Action on Salt, a research organization dedicated to understanding dietary salt, further cautions that a baby’s kidneys are not sufficiently developed to process added table salt. It is best to wait until your baby is over a year old till they are exposed to salted foods. 

Safe Salt Intake For Infants And Toddlers

• 0-6 months of age: For the first 6 months of age, breastmilk or formula provides all of the sodium they need. 

• 7-12 months of age: While the baby is aged 7-12 months, caregivers should not add additional salt to their food as their unprocessed/unsalted complementary foods (like pureed or mashed fruits, veggies, proteins, healthy fats, and grains) are perfectly balanced to meet their needs for dietary salt. 

• 12+ months of age: After a year, you can introduce safe salt levels for babies and toddlers – less than 1,000 mg per day is recommended.

• Toddlers (ages 1-3 years): Salt intake for toddlers should never exceed 1200 mg according to the National Institute of Health. Hyemyung Kim, a registered nurse and certified dietician, recommends that toddlers eat 800-1100mg of salt a day, with the caveat that it is not necessary to add table salt to their food. 

Tips to Limit Salt for Baby

Reducing salt for baby food begins by paying attention. A low-sodium baby diet is possible and important to implement.  Many adults cook liberally with salt, and some might share food with the baby. Any meal that might be shared with your baby should be prepared carefully and ingredients monitored. It is unnecessary to add extra salt to a baby’s meal.

• Focus on fresh foods, fruits, and vegetables, and minimize canned goods and processed foods, including bread and pasta. 

• Check labels to ensure that seasoning mixes do not contain salt. 

• Use herbs and spices instead of salt to season and add flavor to baby’s meals.  We recommend fresh herbs like sage, rosemary, mint, cilantro, and spices like nutmeg, curry, turmeric, ginger, cardamom, and cinnamon. 

• For baby-led weaning, set aside a portion of foods before adding salt, or opt for fresh, unseasoned options.

• Use healthy, organic baby food made with all-natural ingredients, just like Square Baby. 

To ensure your toddler does not consume excessive salt, it can be helpful to know which foods contain high levels of sodium: processed foods, pizza, cheese, cold cuts, cured meats, and many soups. 

Can I Add a Pinch of Salt to Baby Food?

After the baby turns one, salt can be added to baby food safely. Remember to add a small pinch at a time. Most kitchen experts agree that a two-finger pinch (between thumb and pointer finger) would measure about 1/16 of a teaspoon. Because adding salt isn’t necessary for a baby’s nutrition needs, you don’t need to add salt every time to every meal. Do so sparingly.

It’s exciting to see babies enjoy new flavors while they learn about the world and taste foods for the first time, and salt is one of those natural tastes. It’s still important to remember there should be minimal salt in a baby’s diet – with no added salt or processed foods with sodium until after 12 months of age. Luckily there are many other flavors to explore with your little one! Try sprinkling garlic powder, fresh herbs, or even cinnamon on their foods as well.

Best Practices for Lifelong Healthy Eating

While babies are encountering new foods, they are setting up their bodies and minds for lifelong habits. Babies are expanding their palate, adapting to so many new tastes and flavors. Adding salt or sugar to their food can acclimatize them to those dominant flavors found in processed foods.

One way to help a baby’s salt intake remain balanced is for caregivers to follow healthy dietary practices for themselves to role model healthy eating: minimal salt intake, focus on fresh foods, and eat a variety of herbs and spices. 

Conclusion: When to Introduce Salt to a Baby?

Baby salt guidelines are clear: do not add any salt to baby food before 12 months of age. 

After that, if you’re wondering when you should introduce salt to a baby, safe salt for infants and toddlers (ages 1-3) is under 1200 mg per day. It is best to keep that number even lower, aiming for 800-1100 mg per day. Remember that most of a toddler’s sodium should come from foods like cheese, milk, bread, cereal, eggs, beans, and meat – not from added table salt.

Early exposure to food sets up lifelong health habits and protects the baby’s health. Too much salt can cause high blood pressure, is hard on their immature kidneys, and sets their tastes to expect the high flavor profiles of processed, salty food. Focus on fresh food, preparations without salt, and a wide range of no-salt seasonings. There are many wonderful foods to explore and watch your baby enjoy, while you share in the excitement of all the baby's first experiences. 

Looking for an easy solution?  Square Baby will ship organic, frozen, minimally processed baby food meals right to your doorstep. No added salt, sugar, or additives. Just organic whole foods, herbs, spices, and healthy fats – blended to perfection and delivered to your doorstep. Get started today with 20% off Dietitian-Designed baby food meals with code SAVE20.