First foods database
🐟 Fresh tuna for babies: when and how to serve it
Can babies eat fresh tuna? Yes, from about 6 months, cooked through and in moderation. Fresh tuna counts as an oily fish and contains more mercury than many fish, so keep portions small and occasional. It is a good source of protein and vitamin D.
Good source of: Protein, Vitamin D, Selenium, Vitamin B12
How to serve fresh tuna by age
6 to 9 months
Cook until opaque all the way through, then flake and blend into potato or vegetables. Offer soft flaked pieces as finger food. Fresh tuna can be dry, so mix it with a sauce or mashed vegetables.
9 to 12 months
Mix flaked cooked tuna into pasta, rice or fishcakes. Tuna fishcakes made with potato are easy to hold.
12 months and up
Serve cooked tuna steak in thin pieces or in family dishes. Serve tuna steaks thinly sliced, with sauce.
Choking safety
Tuna steak can be dense when overcooked. Flake it into small moist pieces and check for bones and skin. Overcooked tuna becomes dry and crumbly; keep it moist.
Gagging is common and noisy while babies learn to eat. Choking is usually silent. Always stay with your baby while they eat, sitting upright. How to help a choking baby (NHS).
Good to know
- Fresh tuna counts towards oily fish portions (up to 2 a week for girls, 4 for boys).
- Do not serve raw or seared rare tuna to babies.
Introducing it as an allergen
It contains fish, one of the 14 major allergens. How to introduce fish
Easy ideas
- Tuna and sweetcorn fishcakes
- Flaked tuna through tomato pasta
- Tuna with rice and peas
Goes well with
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Questions parents ask
Can babies eat fresh tuna?
Can babies eat fresh tuna? Yes, from about 6 months, cooked through and in moderation. Fresh tuna counts as an oily fish and contains more mercury than many fish, so keep portions small and occasional. It is a good source of protein and vitamin D.
Is tuna safe for babies because of mercury?
Yes in moderation. Unlike shark, swordfish and marlin, tuna is fine for babies, but keep fresh tuna to occasional small portions.
Can babies eat seared or sushi tuna?
No. Fish for babies should be cooked all the way through. Tinned tuna does not count as oily fish but is still a good source of protein.
Sources
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).