Allergen note
Fish is a common allergen. If your toddler has not had fish before, start with a small amount of well-cooked cod on its own and watch for hives, swelling or vomiting, then keep offering it regularly once tolerated. With severe eczema or a known allergy, talk to your pediatrician first.
How to serve
From 12 months, offer soft flakes of cod as finger food, stir them through mashed potato, pasta or rice, or shape them into soft fish cakes. Cod is a low-mercury white fish, so it fits well into the two fish meals a week often recommended for children.
Preparation
Use fresh or frozen unsalted cod, not salt cod, which stays salty even after soaking. Steam or gently poach it in water or milk until it is opaque all the way through and flakes easily, then flavor it with herbs or lemon instead of salt.
Texture and choking risk
Bones are the main hazard with cod. Flake every piece between your fingers to find and remove bones, including the fine pin bones, offer soft flakes rather than large chunks, keep your child seated and always supervise.
Sources: cdc.gov · cdc.gov · healthychildren.org · healthychildren.org · nhs.uk · nhs.uk
Starting ages are typical guidance for healthy, full-term babies who show signs of readiness. Your paediatrician may advise differently, especially where there is a family history of allergy.
Track first tastes and reactions
Log when your child first tries cod, note any reaction and see it in the allergen tracker.
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