No, babies under one year old should not be given any added salt. Slightly older children may have up to 0.8-1.1 grams of sodium (around 1/2 teaspoon of salt) per day. Accidental licking of a small amount of salt is unlikely to cause harm, but it's crucial to avoid adding salt to a baby's food and preventing them from accessing salty foods.
Why is salt harmful to babies?
Infants' kidneys are not fully developed, and excessive salt intake can put a strain on them. Too much sodium can also lead to other health problems. The reference material states that babies under one year old should not be given any added salt.
What if my baby accidentally licked something salty?
If your baby accidentally licked a small amount of salt, such as from a potato chip, don't panic. A tiny amount is unlikely to cause serious harm. However, it's important to prevent future occurrences by keeping salty foods out of reach.
Several online discussions show concern from parents whose babies accidentally ingested small amounts of salt. While these instances didn't result in apparent harm, these examples highlight the importance of preventing such incidents.
Key Considerations:
- Babies under 1 year: Absolutely no added salt.
- Older babies/toddlers: Very limited salt intake.
- Accidental ingestion: Small amounts are unlikely to cause significant harm, but prevention is key.
- Kidney development: Infants' kidneys are still developing and are more vulnerable to the effects of high sodium intake.
