Fishy Meals for Babies

Fish is a great source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for babies' development. It's also a relatively inexpensive food, which is a bonus for parents on a budget.Here are some easy and healthy fish recipes that are perfect for babies:

• Salmon Fishcakes

Ingredients:

• 140g smoked mackerel fillets, skinned and boned
• 70g cream cheese
• Juice of 1/2 lemon
• 1 tablespoon of chopped parsley

Instructions:

1. Whizz the mackerel, cream cheese, lemon juice, and parsley together in a blender until smooth.
2. Serve the pate on toast, oatcakes, or crackers.

Why Not Try...This pate is a delicious and nutritious snack or lunch option for babies. It's made with smoked mackerel, which is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, and cream cheese, which makes it creamy and smooth.[recipe here]Other Tips for Feeding Fish to Babies

• Start by offering your baby small amounts of fish, such as a few flakes or a teaspoon of pate.
• Gradually increase the amount of fish that you offer your baby as they get older.
• Serve fish with other healthy foods, such as vegetables or whole grains.
• Do not add salt or pepper to fish that you are feeding your baby.
• If your baby is allergic to seafood, do not offer them fish.

With a little planning, you can easily make sure that your baby gets the nutrients they need from fish.What if your child doesn’t like fish?That’s ok. Keep offering fish though, it may be that they come to like it, or like it cooked in a certain way. Most children like fish fingers and fish and chips!Plant based sources of omega 3 include walnuts, pumpkin seed butter (the butter is useful for children as it’s not a choking risk – if it is smooth), milled/ground linseeds (also known as flaxseed), milled chia seeds, soya and soya products (tofu), leafy green vegetables and rapeseed oil.Some children benefit from an omega 3 supplement (not a fish liver oil as this is different). Discuss with your healthcare provider for more information on the most suitable one.Vegetarian/vegan omega 3 supplements are available (algal oil) – check with your healthcare provider if unsure but if in a capsule form this can usually be pierced and the oil added to food. Check supplements are age appropriate to safe guard against over dosing or choking.Should I be worried about allergies?You can introduce fish/shellfish to your baby from 6 months of age but be mindful that fish/shellfish are one of the top 9 allergens in children (don’t let this put you off though!) and less than 0.1% of children in Europe have a fish allergy. Cooking the fish doesn’t make the allergy less likely to happen. Introduce a small amount to start with.