Babies need small amounts of salt in their diet, but their bodies can't handle large amounts. While salt is naturally present in breast milk and formula, it's crucial to avoid adding extra salt to a baby's food or cooking water. This is because babies' kidneys are still developing and can't efficiently process excess sodium.
Here's a summary of key points:
- Babies under one year old: Do not add salt to your baby's food or cooking water.
- Babies over one year old: They have a slightly higher tolerance for salt, but it's still recommended to limit their intake.
- Salt in food: Babies can consume salt in their food, but it should come from natural sources, not added salt.
- Sodium intake: The maximum recommended daily sodium intake for infants is less than 1 gram.
- Health risks: High sodium intake can put extra strain on a baby's kidneys and lead to health problems.
In conclusion: Babies should eat a low-salt diet. While small amounts of salt are necessary, excess sodium can be harmful.
