How to Introduce Fish in a Child's Diet

Fish is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which help brain development and might limit the risk of cardiovascular disease, according to Dr. Williams Sears. You can introduce fish into your child̵7;s diet as soon as he begins eating solid foods. While you might be ready to add fish to the menu, figuring out how to introduce the food might present a conundrum. Making fish palatable for your child might be a challenge, but with some innovation and perseverance, the benefits will pay off in the long run.

Things You'll Need

  • Salmon
  • Breadcrumbs
  • Pollock

Instructions

    • 1

      Start adding fish into the diet as early as 6 months, according to Frank Geer, pediatrician and former AAP Chairman in the BabyCenter article, ̶0;When can my baby eat fish?̶1; Since your child will likely not be able to fully chew food at this stage, mash up boneless fish or make a paste with a cooked salmon steak, olive oil, breadcrumbs and salt to taste. Spread the paste onto small crackers or toast. Alternatively, feed the mash to your child as you would any other baby food.

    • 2

      Make fish sticks with thin slices of a salmon filet. Dip the salmon sticks into whisked eggs and roll them in breadcrumbs. Bake the fish sticks for about eight minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Cut the fish sticks into bite-sized chunks before serving them to your child.

    • 3

      Add canned salmon to macaroni and cheese, pasta or into other mashed foods. Alternatively, use Pollock in place of salmon.

    • 4

      Avoid fish with a high mercury content such as tuna and halibut. Although these fish contain high amounts of DHA -- an essential fatty acid -- the mercury might be damaging to your developing child̵7;s brain, according to Dr. Sears.

    • 5

      Use fish as the lean protein in meals one to two times a week. Strive to give your child at least 2 ounces of fish per week, according to Dr. Sears.

    2. Previous:

    Next:

    • Is Coffee Bad For Teens? Effects Of Caffeine Over-Consumption
      Coffee is one of the most popular beverages people consume to stay focused and alert. Its moderate consumption among adults is usually considered safe, but is coffee bad for teens?Coffee contains caffeine, a psychostimulant agent that invigorates the
    • How to Introduce Ethnic Foods to Kids
      Getting kids to try ethnic foods they are not familiar with can be a challenge, but its a worthwhile endeavor as it is an opportunity to expand their palettes as well as their knowledge about other cultures around the world. The website Dr.Greene.com
    • How to Keep School Lunches Cold
      Millions of students and workers bring their lunches with them to school or to the office every day. If youre a parent, youll want to ensure that your childs lunch remains safe to eat even on hot days. To avoid the risk of spoilage or food-borne illn