Starting at what age is it okay to feed babies fish?

Fish is one of the best sources of protein in the oceans. Not surprisingly, the government is aggressively promoting the Movement to Promote Fish Eating (Gemarikan), even from an early age. Well, your job as a parent is to introduce this healthy protein source to your little one which is useful for supporting their growth and development. But before that, you must first know the best age for babies to eat fish.

When can you start feeding your baby fish?

As we know, babies are required to be exclusively breastfed for 6 months. Therefore, you are only allowed to feed a baby fish after he is past 6 months, according to The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), reported by the Baby Center.

With a note, your little one has been introduced to some solid foods that cause less allergic reactions (allergenic) - for example, vegetables, fruits, and others. In addition, make sure the baby does not show an allergy to fish.

If the baby's skin is prone to rashes and redness due to a food allergy, or there is a family history of having certain allergies, you should consult a doctor first. In this case, the doctor will advise you to postpone giving fish until your little one is a few months older.

Is there a specific type of fish that is best for babies?

In general, all types of fish are rich sources of protein which is of course good for your health. This was further explained from the remarks of the Minister of Health of the Republic of Indonesia, Dr. dr. Nila Farid Moeloek, Sp.M (K), as read by Plt. Director General of Public Health of the Indonesian Ministry of Health, dr. Pattiselano Robert Johan, MARS.

According to him, fish is a source of healthy food because the fat content in fish is not saturated fat. But unsaturated fatty acids consisting of, omega 3, 6, and 9; iodine; selenium; fluoride; iron; magnesium; as well as zinc.

Interestingly, the omega 3 content in fish is much higher than other sources of animal protein. In addition, natural compounds in the form of PUFA, EPA, and DHA in fish are also useful for supporting intelligence and preventing disease attacks.

Don't be confused about the type of fish that your little one should eat. The reason is, all types of fish available in the market are good and healthy to introduce to your baby in the process of development. The Minister of Health of the Republic of Indonesia also revealed that actually price is not the main benchmark for determining the quality of a type of fish. Both cheap and expensive fish have high nutritional value. Take the example of mackerel, although the price is quite affordable, but it turns out that the omega-3 content in it can be equal or even slightly higher when compared to salmon, which is actually more expensive.

What are the rules for eating fish for babies?

Although it is good to support the growth and development of your little one, it is recommended that you give your baby fish food gradually and not continuously. He thinks this is a form of introduction to solid food which is still relatively new to him.

The FDA, as the food and drug regulatory agency in America which is equivalent to the BPOM, recommends giving fish to babies is limited to only about 2-3 times a week. Of course, with a much smaller portion than the adult portion. The portion of your baby's fish will also increase according to the needs of his age.

However, before processing fish, make sure you buy fish fresh. Don't forget to remove the fish spines, make sure there are no more spines left that could harm the baby.

You can also process fish in various ways, whether it's steamed, boiled, grilled, or crushed like porridge. Look for cooking methods that produce fish with a soft texture, and cut the fish into small pieces to make it easier for the baby to eat.

To enhance the appearance and add nutrition to your little one's dish, you can add a variety of fruits or vegetables. On the other hand, this method can simultaneously introduce other solid food ingredients to the baby.