First foods database
🐟 Tinned tuna for babies: when and how to serve it
Can babies eat tinned tuna? Yes, from about 6 months. Tinned tuna is a cheap, convenient protein, but choose tuna in spring water rather than brine, which is salty.
Good source of: Protein, Vitamin D, Selenium, Vitamin B12
How to serve tinned tuna by age
6 to 9 months
Drain well, flake finely and mix with mashed potato, avocado or yoghurt into a soft purée. For finger food, make soft tuna fishcakes or spread tuna mixed with cream cheese on toast fingers. A little mashed avocado or natural yoghurt makes it creamy and easier to swallow.
9 to 12 months
Stir tuna through pasta with tomato sauce, or make tuna and sweetcorn mash.
12 months and up
Serve tuna pasta bakes, sandwiches and wraps with the family.
Choking safety
Flaked tuna can be dry and crumbly, which may cause gagging. Mix it with something creamy. Check for any bone pieces. Tinned tuna rarely has bones, but have a quick look.
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
- Choose tuna in spring water, not brine.
- Tinned tuna does not count as oily fish but is a good source of protein.
Introducing it as an allergen
It contains fish, one of the 14 major allergens. How to introduce fish
Easy ideas
- Tuna and sweetcorn mash
- Mini tuna fishcakes
- Tuna pasta with tomato sauce
Goes well with
Recipes with tinned tuna
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Questions parents ask
Can babies eat tinned tuna?
Can babies eat tinned tuna? Yes, from about 6 months. Tinned tuna is a cheap, convenient protein, but choose tuna in spring water rather than brine, which is salty.
How often can babies have tinned tuna?
As part of a varied diet, a couple of times a week is fine. Fresh tuna is limited to keep mercury low.
Is tuna in oil OK for babies?
Yes, drained tuna in oil is fine; spring water is lower in fat and salt.
Sources
- NHS Start for Life: Weaning
- NHS: Fish and shellfish
- NHS: Foods to avoid giving babies and young children
- NHS: How to stop a child from choking
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).