Our clients are surprised to hear that babies as young as 6 months of age can eat meat, poultry and fish. Read on for how to serve it safely and why it might be a good option for your family.
Can babies eat meat, poultry and fish?
Yes! Babies can have foods like beef, chicken, salmon, turkey, bison, cod, pork etc. The most important safety concern the texture. We want it to be soft and fork-tender. When meat is tender and juicy, your baby can gnaw on it with their strong back gums. If it's dry and chewy, it's hard for babies to eat safely.
Why are meat, poultry and fish recommended for babies?
Many protein foods like beef, poultry, pork, bison and fish are very high in heme (absorbable) iron, meaning they're recommended as one of the first foods your baby eats. Iron is super important for babies ages 6-12 months because their iron stores from birth start to deplete in the second half of infancy. We recommend a high-iron food with each meal when you start solid foods, and meat, poultry or fish can be that high-iron option.
How do I prepare these foods for my baby?
The key to making animal products for babies is to make sure they're cooked with moisture. Use your pressure cooker or slow cooker to make meat tender, and consider buying less lean meat - higher fat content will be more moist. Use marinades and broth to ensure that meat stays juicy, and cover the pot while you cook to retain more moisture. Most adults like tender meat as well, so enjoy these foods with your baby! Our Infant Course includes step-by-step instruction on how to introduce finger foods to babies - we look forward to helping you through this fun milestone!
Can babies digest meat?
Yes, babies can digest meats - there is no evidence to suggest that they can't, and meat can be a very nutrient-rich part of their diet. Interestingly, most digestive health protocols for adults like the GAPS diet and AIP recommend meat as a first food.
What about eggs?
Eggs are a delicious source of iron, protein and choline, and they are an important allergen to offer to your baby. However, the iron in eggs isn't highly absorbable so we don't consider it a good source of iron. Check out our printable 10 High-Iron Foods to Try with Your Baby in our Infant Course for more details!
Do babies need extra protein?
No, babies' protein needs are met from their breast milk or formula alone. However, because protein foods tend to be high in bioavailable iron, they are still recommended. You don't need to worry about your baby getting too much protein unless they're eating very large (adult-size) portions of protein foods at every meal.
I'm vegetarian/vegan. Do I have to give my child meat? No - it's important for you to do what feels most comfortable to you and your family. Many non-animal foods like beans, lentils, whole grains and leafy greens are good sources of iron too. However, allergens get tricky. You’ll have to decide if you want to introduce seafood, eggs and dairy – all allergens – due to the importance of early and frequent exposure. Many vegetarian families still offer the allergenic foods to their babies or provide them in powder form via Spoonful One, Lil Mixins or Ready, Set, Food.
Are you lost on what to feed your baby? Are you interested in BLW, or infant self-feeding? Join the thousands of families worldwide who have taken our infant feeding course, which provides expert help from feeding professionals and moms. We offer practical, non-judgmental, non-rigid tips that can help this work for you. Plus, we teach you how to set your baby up for competent, adventurous eating for life!