Striped bass

Striped bass is a white-fleshed fish from North America. Its flesh is firm and its taste is mild. Well cooked, it can be offered at 6 months once your baby seems ready for solids.

The sea bass known in Turkey is a different species. This fish is hard to find here.

Nutrition

It provides protein, potassium and selenium, together with vitamins B6 and B12. Omega-3 fatty acids are abundant in it. The source notes these nutrients support growth, hormone function and red blood cells. The source counts this fish as iron-rich.

Mercury

Farmed fish is usually low in mercury. Wild fish can run moderate or high. Choose farmed when you can. Serve wild fish only now and then, and alternate with low-mercury fish such as salmon, sardines or cod.

Every baby develops at their own pace. These tips are general guidance.

Always cook fish thoroughly. Remove bones and skin. At 6 months, offer strips two fingers wide, or flaked fish stirred into vegetable purée. At 9 months, bites, cakes and fish salad suit well. At 12 months, long strips, bites and flakes can be served alone or mixed in.

Cooked fish with bones and skin removed carries a low risk. Still, any food can cause choking in theory. The real hazard is the bone. A bone can get stuck in the esophagus, throat or mouth. After cooking, check carefully with your fingers. Stay within arm's reach during meals.

Finned fish are among the common allergens. About two in a thousand people worldwide are allergic to finned fish. The rate in children is lower than in adults. For about 40 percent of people with fish allergy, the first reaction appears in adulthood. For most, the allergy lasts for life.

About half of people allergic to one fish react to other fish too. The shared allergen, beta-parvalbumin, is in most fish. If your baby is allergic to one fish, talk to an allergist before offering another.

Proteins that float in the air while fish cooks can cause reactions in some people. If this applies to your baby, consider not cooking fish at home.

Fish can also trigger a delayed allergy called FPIES. Repeated vomiting and diarrhea start a few hours after eating. Fluid loss can become serious. FPIES to fish can start late in life and usually lasts for life.

Scombroid poisoning can be mistaken for fish allergy. Fish kept too warm builds up histamine. Eating it causes allergy-like symptoms. Keeping fish cold lowers the risk.

Start with a small amount the first time and watch your baby closely. If all goes well, increase the portion slowly. After the allergen is introduced, keep it in the diet, twice a week if possible. Rotating fish types is enough.