Haddock

When to start

Haddock can be offered once your baby is ready for solids, usually around 6 months. Its mercury level is low compared with other fish. One or two servings per week are considered safe for babies.

Haddock is a big fish found near the sea floor in the cold waters of the north. It has silvery gray skin and white flesh. The taste resembles cod, only a bit sweeter. As cod stocks shrank, haddock became more popular.

Why it matters

Haddock gives protein and omega-3 fats. Selenium supports immunity. Vitamins B6 and B12 are needed for nervous system development. It is a lean fish, so a pat of butter or olive oil adds the fat that growing brains need.

Cook the fish through and remove the bones. You can serve large fillet pieces or a fish mash.

Check the labels on frozen fish packs. Skip products that have added salt or sodium tripolyphosphate. Even a little can use up a baby's daily sodium allowance.

Haddock seldom causes choking. Bones left in fresh fish are a risk, though. Run your fingers over the fillet and pull out every bone before serving.

Stay near your baby during the meal and seat them safely.

Yes. The World Health Organization lists finned fish as a global priority allergen. Fish in the cod family, such as haddock, may be especially allergenic. About 0.2 percent of people worldwide are estimated to have a finned fish allergy, and children are often lower still. Around 40 percent of those with the allergy first react in adulthood. Most people do not outgrow it.

Some people react to proteins that rise into the air while fish cooks. If this applies to your baby, you may skip cooking fish at home while the baby is there.

About half of people allergic to one fish react to others as well. The main allergen, beta-parvalbumin, is found in most fish. For this reason, allergists often advise avoiding all finned fish until it is clear which are safe. If your baby is allergic to haddock, ask your allergist before offering any other fish.

Finned fish can trigger FPIES, a delayed reaction. Repeated vomiting and diarrhea start a few hours after eating, and without treatment it can cause serious dehydration. FPIES to fish can begin later in life and usually stays for good.

Scombroid poisoning can be mistaken for fish allergy. When fish is not kept cold enough, histamine builds up in it. That causes symptoms like an allergic reaction. Keeping fish properly cold lowers the risk.

If you suspect a fish allergy, see an allergist before offering haddock. Give a small amount the first time and watch your baby. If all is well, increase the portion. Once an allergen is in, keep it in the diet, twice a week if possible. Finned fish share the same main proteins, so rotating varieties is enough.