Food guide
Mackerel
Mackerel is a fantastic oily fish, packed with essential nutrients for growing babies. Its soft, flaky texture when cooked makes it easy to offer as one of baby's first protein sources.
How to serve at this age
6-9 months: Offer cooked mackerel that has been thoroughly deboned and flaked into small, easily mashable pieces. 9-12 months: Serve cooked, deboned, and finely flaked mackerel mixed into soft vegetables, rice, or pasta. 12+ months: Continue offering deboned, flaked mackerel, allowing baby to pick up larger, still soft pieces, always checking for bones.
Nutrition
An excellent source of Omega-3 fatty acids, specifically DHA and EPA, which are vital for healthy brain and eye development in infants. It also provides high-quality protein for growth and Vitamin D for strong bones and immune support.
A note from the editors
Fresh or canned (in water, no salt added) mackerel are both great options. Always check meticulously for any bones before serving, as they can be very tiny.
Good to know
Mackerel is fish, a common allergen. Introduce it one at a time and watch closely for any signs of an allergic reaction. Always, always check for and remove all bones before serving to prevent choking.