First foods database
🧂 Salt for babies: when and how to serve it
Can babies have salt? Do not add salt to your baby's food. Babies under 12 months need less than 1g of salt a day, which they get naturally from breast milk, formula and food, and their kidneys cannot cope with more.
Good source of: Sodium
How to serve salt by age
6 to 9 months
Do not add salt to food or cooking water. Use garlic, herbs, mild spices, lemon and onion for flavour. Breast milk and formula already contain the right amount of sodium.
9 to 12 months
Keep avoiding added salt. Check labels on bread, cheese, breakfast cereals and sauces, and avoid stock cubes, gravy granules, soy sauce and salty processed meats.
12 months and up
Children aged 1 to 3 should have no more than 2g of salt a day. Keep cooking with little or no salt, and let adults add their own at the table.
Choking safety
Salt itself is not a choking concern.
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
- Under 12 months: less than 1g salt a day.
- 1 to 3 years: no more than 2g salt a day.
- Avoid stock cubes, gravy granules, soy sauce and processed meats for babies.
Goes well with
Weaning with OBubba
Log first foods in seconds. OBubba spots the allergens for you.
Track every food your baby has tried, see reactions over time, and let OBubba gently pace new allergens one at a time. Free to download.
Questions parents ask
Can babies eat salt?
Can babies have salt? Do not add salt to your baby's food. Babies under 12 months need less than 1g of salt a day, which they get naturally from breast milk, formula and food, and their kidneys cannot cope with more.
Can I add a pinch of salt to baby food?
No. Babies do not need any added salt, and they enjoy food without it.
Is sea salt or pink salt better for babies?
No. All salts are mostly sodium chloride and should not be added to baby food.
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).