Allergen guide
🐟 Introducing Fish to Your Baby: A UK Guide
Fish can be introduced from around 6 months, starting with a small amount of well-cooked, boneless fish such as salmon or cod. Avoid shark, swordfish and marlin for babies and children.
When to introduce fish
Fish is a brilliant first food and can be offered from around 6 months, alongside your baby's other first foods. Oily fish like salmon and mackerel are full of goodness, and white fish such as cod and haddock are soft and mild. Cook it through and check carefully for bones. Shark, swordfish and marlin are best avoided for children because of their mercury levels. If your baby has severe eczema or already has a food allergy, speak to your GP or health visitor before you start.
How to start
- Choose a mild, well-cooked fish such as salmon or cod
- Flake it carefully and check for bones with your fingers
- Offer a small amount earlier in the day when you are at home together
- Keep it as the only new food that day
- If all goes well, try other types of fish over the coming weeks
First ways to offer it
- Flaked poached salmon mixed into mashed potato
- Soft cod or haddock in a mild cheese sauce
- Homemade fish cakes, baked until cooked through
- Mashed tinned sardines on toast fingers, choosing no added salt
Keep it going
Once your baby enjoys fish, keep it on the menu regularly, ideally once or twice a week. Mixing oily and white fish across the week is a lovely way to do it. Regular contact helps keep fish a comfortable, familiar food.
Signs of a mild reaction
- A red, blotchy or raised itchy rash, often around the mouth or on the face
- Mild swelling of the lips, face or around the eyes
- Itchy or red skin
- A runny or blocked nose, sneezing or watery eyes
- Being sick, tummy ache or diarrhoea
If you notice mild signs, stop offering the food and speak to your doctor or health visitor before trying again.
Signs of a severe reaction
- Swelling of the tongue or throat
- Trouble breathing, or noisy, fast or hard breathing
- Wheezing, or a cough that will not stop
- A hoarse voice, or trouble swallowing
- Becoming pale and floppy, or suddenly very sleepy
- Collapse, or not responding to you
Call 999 straight away and say you think your baby is having a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). If your baby has been given an adrenaline auto-injector, use it now. Do not wait to see if it settles. If you only see mild signs, stop offering the food and speak to your GP or health visitor before trying it again.
Where fish can hide
- Worcestershire sauce
- Fish sauce and some Asian dishes
- Caesar dressing
- Some pizza toppings and pasta sauces
- Fish fingers and fish cakes
- Omega 3 supplements
Foods in our database that contain it
Allergens with OBubba
OBubba paces new allergens one at a time.
Log a food and OBubba recognises the allergens in it, reminds you to keep tolerated allergens in the diet, and keeps a clear record to share with your doctor. Free to download.
Questions parents ask
How much oily fish can my baby have?
Oily fish is a great part of a varied diet. UK advice suggests up to 2 portions a week for girls and up to 4 for boys, because of small amounts of pollutants.
Is tinned tuna fine for babies?
Yes, tinned tuna is fine in sensible amounts. Choose tuna in spring water rather than brine to keep the salt down.
If my baby reacts to fish, will they react to prawns too?
Not always. Fish and shellfish are different allergens, so a reaction to one does not mean a reaction to the other. Your GP can help you plan next steps.
Other allergens
Sources
- NHS: Food allergies in babies and young children
- BSACI: Early feeding guidance
- NHS Start for Life: Weaning
OBubba gives general information based on UK guidance. It is not medical advice and does not diagnose anything. Every baby is different. If your baby has a known allergy, severe eczema or a medical condition, speak to your doctor or health visitor before starting solids. Learn baby first aid, and in an emergency call your local emergency number (999 in the UK).