First foods database
🌱 Samphire for babies: when and how to serve it
Can babies eat samphire? Occasionally and in small amounts, from about 9 months. Samphire is naturally very salty, so it is a taste to try sparingly rather than a regular vegetable. Its crisp, sea-fresh flavour pairs beautifully with fish.
Good source of: Iodine, Vitamin C, Fibre
How to serve samphire by age
6 to 9 months
Not needed yet. Its natural saltiness means other green vegetables are a better choice for new eaters.
9 to 12 months
Rinse well, then blanch in unsalted water and drain to reduce saltiness. Chop finely and mix a small amount into fish, pasta or potato.
12 months and up
Serve steamed or blanched alongside fish dishes in small portions, never adding extra salt.
Choking safety
Remove any tough woody stems and chop the tender tips small. Blanched samphire is soft and easy to chew once trimmed, but long stringy pieces can make babies gag, so cut them short.
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
- Naturally salty: rinse, blanch and serve in small amounts.
- Never add salt to dishes containing samphire.
Easy ideas
- Chopped samphire with flaked salmon
- Samphire stirred into buttered new potatoes
- Samphire and pea pasta
Goes well with
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Questions parents ask
Can babies eat samphire?
Can babies eat samphire? Occasionally and in small amounts, from about 9 months. Samphire is naturally very salty, so it is a taste to try sparingly rather than a regular vegetable. Its crisp, sea-fresh flavour pairs beautifully with fish.
Is samphire too salty for babies?
It is naturally high in salt, so rinse it well, blanch it in unsalted water and keep portions small and occasional. Never add extra salt to a dish that already contains samphire.
What is samphire and how do I cook it?
It is a crunchy green coastal plant, sometimes called sea asparagus. Rinse, trim woody ends and blanch for a minute or two until tender, then chop small for little ones.
Sources
- NHS Start for Life: Weaning
- NHS: What to feed young children
- NHS: How to stop a child from choking
- NHS: Foods to avoid giving babies and young children
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).