Seaweed

Seaweed, especially some seaweed-based supplements and powders, can contain high levels of iodine, an essential nutrient that can cause negative side effects if consumed in excess. Take care to limit seaweed to once or twice a week and read on for which types of seaweed are best for babies.

Seaweed (dried or fresh) maybe introduced to babies in small amounts as soon as they are ready to start solids, which is generally around 6 months of age. Check out the best types of seaweed for babies (and which types you must avoid) as well as preparation suggestions by age.

Yes, in moderation. Organic seaweed is a great addition to your baby’s diet if kept to small quantities. With more protein than soy and lots of vitamin C, seaweed is a powerful source of nutrition. Seaweed is also high in iodine—an essential trace nutrient that is commonly deficient in Americans—but also one that can cause serious thyroid problems (affecting growth) if too much is consumed.

Yes. Seaweed can be hard for babies to chew in all of its forms. To minimize the risk for babies younger than 12 mos, crush unsalted, dried seaweed and sprinkle on other solid food or finely chop fresh seaweed. When you feel your babe is adept at biting, tearing, and chewing, you can try introducing whole sheets of dried seaweed.

For more information, visit our section on gagging and choking and familiarize yourself with common choking hazards.

Nori seaweed. While there are about 20 varieties of seaweed commonly eaten, including nori, kombu, wakame, dulse and kelp, the iodine content of these types varies greatly and not all are safe for babies. Nori has lower levels of iodine and is an excellent choice for babies, whereas kombu and wakame (the rubbery kind traditionally used in miso soup) are very high in iodine and should be limited.

The recommended dietary allowance for iodine is 130 mcg/day for infants in the 7- to 12-month range and then it actually decreases to 90 mcg/day until your child is eight years old (meaning your toddler needs less iodine than your infant, but the maximum intake increases to 200 mcg per day through age 3. For reference, SeaSnax, a popular roasted seaweed that is marketed for kids, has 25 mcg of iodine per serving.

Keep in mind that seaweed acts like a sponge and absorbs heavy metals—such as mercury and lead—from the waters in which it is grows. When purchasing seaweed, buy brands that are certified organic by the USDA and avoid Hijiki seaweed, which can have high levels of arsenic.

No, and babies who are allergic to fish or shellfish should be able to eat seaweed as long as there has been no cross contamination with fish flesh. Do note, however, that many processed edible seaweeds contain sesame, a common food allergen.