When can babies have salt?
Salt is one to actively limit, not a milestone to hit. In the first year, babies should have no added salt, because their kidneys are still developing and cannot handle much sodium. The catch is that the salt is rarely in the salt shaker. It hides in bread, cheese, and the family dinner you were about to share, so here are the limits and the sneaky-salty foods to know.
How much is too much
The amounts are genuinely small. These figures lean US (AAP and the US Dietary Guidelines); numbers differ a little by country, so we note where they do:
- Under 12 months: no added salt. Keep sodium very low, well under about 400mg a day (roughly 1g of salt). The US and UK agree here.
- 1 to 3 years: US guidance keeps sodium under about 1,200mg a day (roughly 3g of salt). UK guidance is stricter, about 2g of salt a day (0.8g sodium). Either way, do not add salt.
You will not be measuring this at the table. The practical version is simpler and the same everywhere: do not add salt to your baby's food, and go easy on the packaged and restaurant foods that are already salty.
Why babies need so little
A baby's kidneys are still maturing and are not built to clear a lot of sodium. Beyond the physical strain, early exposure nudges the palate toward salty flavors, so keeping things low now genuinely shapes later preferences.
The sneaky-salty foods
Most of a baby's salt does not come from the shaker, it comes from foods that are already salted. Keep an eye on:
- Bread and many breakfast cereals
- Cheese (choose lower-salt options and small amounts)
- Cured and deli meats: bacon, ham, sausages
- Stock cubes, gravy, and jarred sauces (soy sauce, ketchup)
- Canned foods in brine, and most takeout or restaurant meals
Flavor without salt
Food for babies does not have to be bland. Reach for herbs, mild spices, garlic, onion, and a squeeze of lemon to build flavor. A good habit for the whole family is to season your own plate rather than the pot, so you can dish up the baby's portion first. See spices and herbs for babies for ideas.
Related reading
See foods to avoid before age 1, when babies can have honey, and spices and herbs for babies.
Frequently asked questions
When can babies have salt?
Babies should not have added salt in the first year. Their kidneys cannot handle much sodium, so under 12 months keep sodium very low, well under about 400mg a day (roughly 1 gram of salt), which means not adding salt to food and limiting salty processed foods. For toddlers 1 to 3, US guidance keeps sodium under about 1,200mg a day (roughly 3 grams of salt); UK guidance is stricter at about 2 grams of salt. Either way, do not add salt.
Why is salt bad for babies?
A baby’s kidneys are still developing and cannot process much sodium. Too much salt can strain them and, over time, sets up a taste preference for salty food. There is no need for added salt in a baby’s diet at all in the first year.
What foods are surprisingly high in salt?
Watch bread, cheese, cured and deli meats like bacon and ham, stock cubes and gravy, sauces such as soy and ketchup, canned foods packed in brine, and most restaurant and takeout meals. Adult ready meals and packaged snacks are often high in salt too.
Can I share my food with my baby if it has salt in it?
It is best to season your own portion at the table rather than the pot, so you can serve the baby before adding salt. When cooking for the whole family, use herbs, spices, garlic, and lemon for flavor instead of salt, then let adults add their own.
Sources
- American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org): When Can Babies Start Solid Foods?
- CDC (Infant and Toddler Nutrition): Foods and Drinks to Avoid or Limit
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Start tracking for freeLast updated July 2026. Next review January 2027. How we write these: grounded in widely published pediatric guidance (the AAP, WHO, the NIAID 2017 allergen guidelines, and the LEAP study), and pending independent review by a pediatric professional. See our editorial and medical policy for how we research, source, and update these.
This is general information, not medical advice, and has not been individually reviewed for your baby. Always talk to your pediatrician about your baby's diet, introducing allergens, and any reaction. In an emergency, contact emergency services.
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