Allergen note
Fish is a common allergen. In this app, sardines are listed from 12 months, so after your child's first birthday offer a small amount on its own at first, and keep serving them regularly if there's no reaction. If your child has severe eczema or a food allergy, ask your pediatrician first.
How to serve
From 12 months, mash soft, boneless sardine flesh onto toast strips, stir it into pasta or rice, or shape it into small fish cakes. Low in mercury and rich in omega-3 fats and vitamin D, sardines are a great fish to offer once or twice a week.
Preparation
Grill, bake or pan-cook fresh sardines until the flesh is opaque and flakes easily, then lift it off the backbone and remove the skin and bones. For canned sardines, choose ones packed in water or olive oil with little or no added salt, drain them, and remove the backbone before mashing.
Texture and choking risk
Fresh sardines have many fine, sharp bones that are easy to miss. Pick through the flesh carefully with your fingers, mash or flake it into small, soft pieces, and always supervise your child while eating.
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 sardines, note any reaction and see it in the allergen tracker.
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