Leena Watts
Salt is an essential nutrient that everyone, including babies, needs in small amounts to function properly. However, the question of whether babies require salt in their diet is a complex one. While some sources claim that babies under 6 months meet their daily sodium requirements from breast milk and formula alone, others suggest that infants aged 6-12 months might be at risk of low sodium intake if their supplementary food is not adequately salted. Excessive salt intake can be harmful to babies, as their developing kidneys cannot process large amounts. It is recommended to avoid adding salt to a baby's food during their first 12 months and to minimize their sodium intake by offering them foods without added salt.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Do babies need salt in their diet? | Babies need small amounts of salt in their diet. |
| How much salt is too much? | Babies need less than 1g of salt a day in their first year. |
| What happens if a baby consumes too much salt? | Too much salt can damage a baby's kidneys, increase their blood pressure, and possibly raise their risk of heart disease later in life. |
| What foods are high in salt? | Adult breakfast cereals, pasta sauces, cheese, frozen meals, takeout or restaurant foods, cured meats, and store-bought prepared foods. |
| How to reduce salt in a baby's diet? | Cook without salt and add it later for adults, choose low-sodium alternatives, and check food labels for sodium content. |
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What You'll Learn
Babies need a small amount of salt
While salt is a compound that all humans need in their diets, including babies, it should only be consumed in small amounts. Young babies under 6 months of age meet their daily sodium requirements from breast milk and formula alone. Babies aged 7–12 months can meet their sodium needs from breast milk or formula and the small amounts of sodium naturally present in unprocessed complementary foods.
Most medical institutions suggest reducing or omitting salt when possible in the first year of a baby's life. However, these recommendations are based on limited research that suggests that reducing sodium in early life may improve heart health. A recent 2023 literature review suggests that there is insufficient evidence to claim that sodium intake in infancy alone is associated with blood pressure, cardiac, or kidney problems later in life.
Babies need less than 1 gram of salt per day in their first year. However, their bodies cannot handle large amounts. Too much salt can damage a baby's kidneys and increase their blood pressure. It may also cause your child to develop a lasting preference for salty foods.
To minimise the amount of sodium your baby consumes, offer them foods without added salt. You can also replace pantry foods like bread and sauces with low-sodium alternatives. When dining out, request unsalted food for your baby. Additionally, check the sodium content of frequently purchased foods and opt for lower-sodium versions.
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Salt requirements can be met without adding salt to food
While salt is an essential nutrient that everyone, including babies, needs in small amounts to function properly, it is important to ensure that babies do not consume excessive amounts of salt. Young babies under 6 months of age can meet their daily sodium requirements from breast milk and formula alone. Those between 7 and 12 months old can meet their needs from breast milk or formula, as well as the small amounts of sodium naturally present in unprocessed complementary foods.
Babies' developing kidneys are not yet able to process large amounts of salt, and excessive salt intake can lead to health issues such as high blood pressure and, in rare cases, even emergency room visits. It may also increase their risk of heart disease later in life and promote a lasting preference for salty foods. Therefore, it is recommended to avoid adding salt to babies' food during their first 12 months.
To ensure that your baby's salt intake is adequate without adding salt to their food, there are several strategies you can employ. Firstly, opt for commercial baby food, such as baby cereals, purees, and food jars, as these have a low salt content since salt is not added during processing. When introducing solid foods, choose fresh, tinned, or frozen fruits and vegetables without added salt or sugar. Rice and dried pasta are also good options, as long as you don't add salt to the cooking water.
Additionally, be mindful of pre-prepared foods that are not specifically made for babies, as they can be high in salt. This includes adult breakfast cereals, pasta sauces, and processed foods. When dining out, request unsalted food for your baby, and when cooking at home, set aside a portion for your baby before adding salt to the family meal. You can also opt for low-sodium alternatives for pantry staples like bread and sauces.
By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your baby's salt requirements are met without adding salt to their food, promoting a healthy and balanced diet for their growth and development.
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Salt can be dangerous for babies
While salt is a compound that humans need in their diets, it can be dangerous for babies. Firstly, babies' kidneys are still immature and cannot filter out excess salt as efficiently as adult kidneys. Consequently, a diet that is too rich in salt may damage a baby's kidneys and cause high blood sodium levels.
Secondly, a salt-rich diet may also affect a baby's long-term health. Research suggests that a diet high in salt may increase blood pressure in babies, which may be stronger than in adults. This may lead to an increased risk of heart disease later in life. In rare cases, a baby that has consumed a large amount of salt may need emergency medical care.
Thirdly, a baby fed a salt-rich diet may develop a lasting preference for salty foods. This may cause them to prefer processed foods that are high in salt but not typically rich in nutrients, over whole foods such as vegetables.
Finally, a high salt intake can cause calcium loss through urine, which can lead to bone demineralisation and an increased risk of osteoporosis later in life.
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Salt intake may impact long-term health
While salt is a compound that all humans need in their diets, including babies, it should be kept in mind that their developing kidneys cannot process large amounts of it. As such, it is recommended to reduce or omit salt when possible in the first year of a baby's life.
Babies need less than 1 gram of salt per day in their first year. Young babies under 6 months of age meet their daily sodium requirements from breast milk and formula alone. Those 7–12 months old are able to meet their needs from breast milk or formula and the small amounts of sodium naturally present in unprocessed complementary foods.
Some studies suggest that regularly eating excessive amounts of food that is very high in sodium in early life may impact health later in life. However, the research is not conclusive, and long-term health is determined by many factors beyond food, including socio-economic status and access to a varied diet, employment, healthcare, housing, and safety.
It is important to note that babies who are consistently fed a high-sodium diet may develop a lasting preference for salty foods. This can be avoided by gradually introducing a variety of foods with different flavours, including herbs and spices, into their diet.
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Salt alternatives
While salt is a compound that all humans need in their diets, babies should not be given too much salt as their developing kidneys cannot process large amounts of it. In extreme and rare cases, a baby that has consumed a large amount of salt may need emergency medical care.
Babies under six months old meet their daily sodium requirements from breast milk and formula alone. Those aged 7–12 months can meet their needs from breast milk or formula and the small amounts of sodium naturally present in unprocessed complementary foods.
- Fresh fruit slices
- Homemade vegetable sticks
- Unsalted rice cakes
- Homemade sauces
- Sodium-free versions of sauces
- Unsalted rice and dried pasta
- Commercial baby food, such as baby cereals, purees and food jars
- Milder types of cheese, such as mild cheddar, fresh mozzarella and emmental
- Spices and herbs instead of salt
It is advised by most paediatricians to avoid giving salt to children below the age of 6–12 months. However, there is insufficient evidence that high salt (sodium) intake early in life might lead to hypertension or a salty diet preference in adults.
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Frequently asked questions
Salt is a compound that all humans need in their diets, but babies only require a small amount. Their developing kidneys can't process large amounts of salt, so it's best to avoid giving them too much.
Babies need less than 1 gram of salt per day during their first year. However, this is more of a guideline than a strict limit. It's only when babies are consistently fed a high-sodium diet that it becomes a problem.
Giving a baby too much salt can cause health problems such as high blood pressure and, in rare cases, may even lead to a trip to the emergency room. It may also increase their risk of heart disease later in life and cause them to develop a lasting preference for salty foods.
Many pre-prepared and processed foods are high in salt, including adult breakfast cereals, pasta sauces, cured meats, salty cheeses, and takeout or restaurant meals. When in doubt, check the sodium content on food labels.
You can reduce your baby's salt intake by offering them foods without added salt and choosing low-sodium alternatives. If you're making family meals, season the food after setting aside a portion for your baby. Commercial baby food, such as baby cereals, purees, and food jars, also tends to have a low salt content.
