Can Babies Have Salt?

Published: February 20, 2024 

Last Updated: February 13, 2026

Is salt safe for babies? The licensed pediatric team at Solid Starts explains everything you need to know about salt in food for babies.  

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Key Points

✔ Salt is safe in moderation 

While the American Academy of Pediatrics advises avoiding salt entirely, it is often not practical and tends to add stress at mealtime. Babies can safely eat food with salt as part of a varied diet.

✔ Be mindful of very salty foods

An occasional taste is fine, but avoid regularly offering foods like bacon, cold cuts, sausage, and salty cheese. When these foods consistently take up space in the belly, there can be lower motivation to try other foods offered. 

✔ Aim for balance, not restriction 

Reduce salt when you can, but aim to share a variety of foods and family meals, even if that means baby eats something with salt in it. Research does not show strong evidence that occasionally eating food with sodium at an early age causes long-term health issues, but it does suggest heavy restriction creates stress at mealtimes.

Is salt safe for babies?

Yes, when offered with a variety of foods. Many institutions recommend reducing or omitting salt in food for babies, however, recent reviews of evidence-based studies suggest that this may not be necessary. The amount of sodium that babies eat tends to be low as they practice feeding themselves, and sharing meals with a little salt can actually bring them into their family food culture, which has benefits. Family meals are opportunities for a baby to explore a variety of food and get comfortable with food that their family likes to eat.

While salt in food is fine in moderation, there can be benefits to waiting until the child is older to regularly share very salty food. Offering food that is very high in sodium, such as bacon, cold cuts, sausage, and very salty cheese can fill up space in the belly and, as a result, may lower a child’s motivation to try other foods.

How does salt impact baby’s health?

Sodium helps regulate the body’s balance of fluids and electrolytes. It also fuels metabolic reactions, powers muscles and growth, and supports the brain and the rest of the nervous systemBecause babies are smaller, they don’t need as much sodium as adults, which is why many pediatricians and institutions suggest reducing or omitting salt in the first year. However, this recommendation is based in part on limited research. A 2023 literature review found no clear link between sodium intake in infancy and later health problems. In fact, the research noted that restricting sodium early on may actually encourage young children to seek out salty foods. Avoiding sodium entirely is often not practical, and it can add stress at mealtimes. 

If there is a risk associated with sodium intake, it may be related to long-term health: some studies suggest that regularly eating excessive amounts of food that is very high in sodium in early life may be associated with high blood pressure, heart problems, and kidney disease later in life. However, the research is not conclusive, and long-term health is determined by many factors beyond food, including socio-economic status and access to a varied diet, employment, healthcare, housing, and safety.

How much sodium can baby have each day?

The suggested intake for babies between 7 and 12 months of age is 370 mg daily, however many babies may consume above or below this amount and be perfectly healthy. This happens because their sodium levels are naturally balanced by their kidneys and by consuming breast milk or formula, as well as a variety of solid food. Try to let go of an urge to track sodium and instead, aim for a gentle balance around meals: reduce salt when you can, enjoy food when you can’t, and aim to share a variety of food and family meals. 

The research behind these values used natural sodium levels in breast milk to help arrive at sodium intake levels for babies by age. But the study was small, and sodium content in breast milk varies widely, which makes it challenging to establish a set amount of sodium that is meaningful and helpful to families. There is simply a lack of definitive evidence for a maximum amount of daily sodium that can be safely consumed by any child, regardless of age.  

Can baby’s kidneys handle sodium in food?

Yes. While a baby’s kidneys are still developing in the first year of life, they are able to process sodium in breast milk and formula right away. By 4 to 6 months of age, an infant’s kidneys are mature enough to process sodium in solid food. As baby is introduced to solid food and practices the skills to eat it, food containing salt is generally not of concern when it is offered in moderation.  

Foods High in Sodium 

While there is no need to avoid foods high in sodium altogether, it is wise to aim for moderation. An occasional taste is fine, but when these foods consistently take up space in the belly, there can be lower motivation to try other foods offered. 

How can I reduce sodium in baby’s diet?

There are lots of easy ways to reduce sodium in the diet. Just keep in mind babies starting solids are mostly exploring solid food and learning how to pick up different shapes and take bites. They typically do not consume a significant amount of solid food at mealtimes, and as a result, the amount of sodium that they consume from solid food is typically low at first. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is sodium? 

 Sodium is a naturally-occurring mineral found in breast milk and formula, as well as foods like dairy, egg, meat, seafood, vegetables, and even water. Sodium is an essential nutrient that our bodies need. When combined with chloride, sodium makes salt. 

Is a little bit of salt okay for babies?  

Yes, you can add salt to meals that you want to share with your baby. Aim for balance: reduce salt when you can, enjoy food when you can’t, and aim to share a variety of foods and family meals. 

Can I give food with salt in it to my baby?

Yes, as part of a variety of foods offered over time. Your baby can practice eating foods that you like to eat, such as bread, tortilla, and even pizza. There is no need to avoid these foods entirely or make special salt-free versions for your baby when you’re sharing a varied diet. For example, you can offer pizza one day and meals with little or no salt the next day.  

Is it okay to put salt in baby food? 

There is no need. Many families choose to reduce or omit salt from purees and other foods made specifically for babies, and share food with salt when it’s part of a family meal that everyone is eating. Do what works for you and your family’s food preferences. 

Is salt in bread okay for babies? 

Yes, bread with salt is fine to share as part of a varied diet. Just make sure wheat and any other common allergens in the bread have been safely introduced and ruled out as an allergy.  

Should we avoid salt until 1 year? 

It is often not practical—and it can add stress at mealtimes. The amount of sodium that babies eat tends to be low as they practice feeding themselves, and sharing meals with a little salt can actually bring them into their family food culture, which has benefits. Family meals are opportunities for a baby to explore a variety of food and get comfortable with food that their family likes to eat.

What happens if a baby eats a little salt? 

When a baby eats food with a little salt, the sodium and chloride from the salt support electrolyte balance, muscle activity, and brain function. Baby’s kidneys filter out any extra electrolytes to keep balance in the body. 

Can too much salt harm babies? 

Yes, in extreme cases, but this is very rare. You can avoid too much salt by offering a variety of foods over time. For example, if you are sharing a salty meal one day, offer a meal with less or no salt the next day. 

When to stop worrying about salt for babies? 

Sodium needs are generally lowest in the first few years of life. After 12 months, children have more flexibility when it comes to sodium in their diets. In general, it is recommended for most individuals, regardless of age, to be mindful of sodium intake over the long term.  

Can babies have baking soda or baking powder?

Food containing baking powder or baking soda may be introduced as soon as baby is ready to start solids, which is generally around 6 months of age. Baking soda and powder may be safely shared in baking and cooking because the amount used is generally small.

Can I give baking soda as a colic remedy to a child?

No. Baking soda may be safely shared in baking and cooking because the amount used is generally small. Baking soda as a home remedy for colic can be dangerous as it can be offered in amounts that are unsafe. Consuming too much baking soda at once as part of a home remedy has led to reports of significant and life-threatening electrolyte abnormalities and toxicity.

Can babies have MSG (monosodium glutamate)?

Yes. MSG has been extensively studied in adults, including pregnant individuals, and the United States Food and Drug Administration classifies MSG additives as safe. In fact, MSG is naturally present in a number of baby-friendly foods, such as breast milk, cheese, meat, mushrooms, seaweed, and many vegetables. MSG is another form of salt that is lower in sodium than table salt, and just like table salt, MSG is generally not a concern when it is one ingredient among a variety of food in an overall balanced diet.

Written By

V. Kalami, MNSP, RD, CSP. Board-Certified Pediatric Dietitian and Nutritionist

R. Ruiz, MD, FAAP, CLC. Board-Certified General Pediatrician and Pediatric Gastroenterologist

K. Grenawitzke, OTD, OTR/L, SCFES, IBCLC, CNT. Senior Feeding & Swallowing Specialist

K. Rappaport, OTR/L, MS, SCFES, IBCLC. Senior Feeding & Swallowing Specialist

M. Suarez, MS, OTR/L, SWC, CLEC, PMH-C. Senior Feeding & Swallowing Specialist