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Can infants add salt to their complementary foods?
Q: My baby should start eating supplementary food right after four months. My question is: Can we add salt to the baby's food? And how much is safe?
A: It's important to note that adding a small amount of salt to your baby’s food can help improve the flavor and make it more appealing, especially in the early stages of introducing solid foods. However, it's crucial to be cautious with the quantity, as too much salt can be harmful to your baby’s health.
Salt contains sodium, potassium, and chlorine. When babies consume too much salt, their bodies have to work harder to eliminate the excess through urine. But since a baby's kidneys are still developing, they may not be able to process this efficiently. This can put extra strain on their kidneys and even affect heart function over time. Additionally, if babies get used to salty tastes early on, it might be harder to adjust them to lighter, healthier diets later in life. Excessive salt intake has also been linked to high blood pressure and other long-term health issues.
So, how much salt should a baby have each day? The truth is, babies don’t need much salt at all. Adults are advised to consume no more than 6 grams of salt per day, but for infants, the amount should be significantly lower. In fact, most of the salt your baby needs comes from breast milk or formula. When you start adding solids, just a tiny bit of salt to enhance flavor is enough. As your child grows, you can gradually increase the salt content in their meals, but it's always best to keep the diet light and healthy. Always aim for natural flavors and avoid processed foods that are high in sodium.