Baby-led Weaning Deli Meat Guide: When & How To Feed Them Safely
When starting solid foods with your baby, it’s common to wonder about different types of meat, including lunch meats. In this article, I’ll explain everything you need to know before serving deli meat for baby-led weaning.
While cold cuts can be a good source of iron and lots of protein, there are some things health professionals want you to know before serving them to your baby.
Are Deli Meats Safe for My Baby to Eat?
The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests being careful with meat products such as deli turkey and deli ham, especially for early eaters.
The risk of foodborne illness is higher with deli meats than with conventional or grass-fed meat, so proper preparation is key for your baby’s diet.
Keep reading to find out more!
Types of Deli Meat To Avoid Giving To Babies
Honey-Ham or Honey-Turkey
Deli meat contains a huge amount of sodium, so it’s not advisable to feed it to babies regularly.
If you do need to give your baby a few pieces of deli meat from time to time, make sure you avoid the one that contains honey.
Honey should not be fed to babies until after 12 months of age.
So avoid honey-ham or honey-turkey slices until they’re over 1 year old. Honey may carry a bacteria known as Clostridium Botulinum which could cause great harm to a baby.
Cured Ham and other Cured Meats
It’s also important to avoid cured meats such as cured Ham, prosciutto, and other cured deli meats because they are more likely to cause foodborne illnesses.
Foodborne illnesses are caused when bacteria grow in food that isn’t cooked properly to the right temperature, and cured meats pose a higher risk of carrying such bacteria.
When Can Babies Have Deli Meat?
Most babies can try deli meat when they’re comfortable with other first foods, usually around 7-8 months of age.
By this time, they’ve usually developed their pincer grasp (the ability to pick up tiny pieces with their thumb and finger) and have their bottom teeth.
Before introducing any new food, remember that breast milk or formula should still be your baby’s main source of key nutrients.
It’s a good rule to wait until your baby has tried other iron-rich foods and table food before giving them deli meat. This will prevent them from desiring salty foods in the future.
How Do You Serve Deli Meat To Babies During BLW?
6-8 Months Old
Avoid serving babies honey-ham because they pose a risk of carrying a dangerous bacteria that can cause infant Botulism.
If you must feed deli-style ham to a 6-month-old, then heat them up first until steaming hot.
Allow it to cool, then cut it into strips as large as two adult-sized fingers pressed together. This will prevent the strips from clinging to the roof of your baby’s mouth and cause gagging.
You can also choose to cut the deli meat into small bits and mix it into other foods such as scrambled eggs, egg muffins, rice, pasta, etc.
This will make the deli meat easily scoopable by your baby.
9-11 Months old
Continue to avoid serving honey-ham to your baby. Remember to heat the slices of ham until they’re steaming hot before serving them to a baby.
You may serve chopped-up bite-sized pieces of ham at this age because your baby would have developed their pincer grasp ((the ability to pick up tiny pieces with their thumb and finger).
12 Months and Up
After 12 months of age, you may serve honey-ham to your 1-year-old.
But remember that the only way to reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses is to cook them to their correct temperature.
In this case, cook the ham or turkey slices until they’re steaming. When they’re cool, chop them into bite-sized pieces and serve on their own or mixed into other foods.
Which deli meats have no nitrates?
Nitrates are used in deli meat products to help prevent the growth of harmful bacteria.
They’re a common food additive and preservative used to maintain the color and taste of the meat.
To find deli meat without Nitrates, check for brands that are “nitrate or nitrite-free”. Some good options are:
- Fresh-cut chicken breast from your local deli
- Organic, uncured varieties that use natural preservatives
- Animal products from high-quality animal sources
What is the healthiest deli meat to eat?
The best choice for your baby’s diet is deli meat that is:
- A complete protein with all essential amino acids
- A good source of vitamin B and vitamin D
- Low in sodium
Fresh-cut chicken breast and turkey are often the best options, as they provide much protein without excessive salt or additives.
These types of meat support brain development and help maintain iron stores in red blood cells.
Types of Deli Meat: Ham
When can babies have ham?
While ham is one of many favorite foods for adults, it’s best to introduce it later than other types of meat because of its salt content.
A good rule of thumb is to wait until your baby is at least 8 months of age.
Like other meat products, ham contains lots of protein and can be a high-iron food, but it often has more sodium than other table food options.
Honey-ham should not be given to babies until they’re past 1 year of age.
What kind of ham can babies have?
The best option is fresh-cut ham with minimal processing. Look for:
- Low-sodium varieties without added nitrates
- Fresh ham rather than store-bought sausages
- Actual meat without fillers
How do you serve ham to babies?
There are different ways to serve ham safely in baby-led weaning. A great way is to cut it into long strips that are easy for your baby to grasp.
Avoid tiny pieces that could be a choking hazard. Heat the ham to the proper internal temperature – this is key for food safety. A small portion is plenty for early eaters.
If you’re serving ham as pork strips, make sure you serve them in large strips (the size of two adult-sized fingers pressed together) for babies between 6-9 months old.
This will allow them to practice biting and chewing.
Babies between 10-11 months can begin to eat bite-sized pieces of pork. If they bite off a piece, stay calm and allow them to work it out of their mouth on their own.
Intervene if your baby is choking.
Is ham a common allergen?
While ham isn’t among common allergens like egg yolk or dairy products, watch for any allergic reaction when offering it for the first time.
A little bit is all you need to test for allergies. As with any new food, consult a health professional if you have concerns.
Is ham a choking hazard for babies?
Like other meat products, ham can be unsafe if not served properly. Never serve large chunks – instead, think about your baby’s developing pincer grasp when cutting the meat. Many health professionals recommend strips about the size of two of your fingers pressed together.
Types of Deli Meats: Turkey
Is deli turkey healthy for babies?
Turkey is often the best choice for young children because it contains less sodium than ham, and it’s:
- A good source of iron (better than non-heme iron from plant sources)
- Rich in amino acids for brain development
- A complete protein that supports your baby’s immune system
Unlike ground meat or ground beef, deli turkey is already tender and easier for babies to manage.
When can babies have deli turkey?
Most babies can try turkey when they’re comfortable with other solid foods.
A common question is whether to start with ground meat or actual meat pieces as finger foods – both are good options depending on your baby’s development.
Remember that breast milk or formula is still the primary food group at this stage.
Is deli turkey a choking hazard for babies?
The key is preparation. Cut turkey into small pieces of food that your baby can handle – never serve cold cuts straight from the package.
Make sure you heat them until they’re steaming to kill off any potential bacteria. Some good ways to serve deli turkey include:
- Long strips (the size of two adult-sized fingers pressed together) for early eaters
- Tiny pieces for babies with a developed pincer grasp
- Mixed into tomato sauce with pasta for a variety
What kind of deli turkey can babies have?
Fresh-cut turkey breast is the best option. Look for options like:
- Low-sodium varieties
- No artificial additives
- Fresh cuts of meat rather than processed options
This ensures your baby gets key nutrients without unnecessary additives.
How do you serve deli turkey to babies?
There are many different ways to serve turkey safely:
- Heat to a proper internal temperature
- Cut into appropriate-sized pieces
- Serve a small amount as is or mix them into other foods.
Never serve raw meat or unheated cold cuts to protect against the risk of foodborne illness.
Is deli turkey a common allergen?
While not among common allergens, introduce turkey like any new food – in a small portion, watching for any signs of allergic reaction.
If your baby has reactions to other animal sources of protein, consult health professionals before offering turkey.
FAQs About Feeding Deli Meat to Babies In Baby-led Weaning
Can a 6-month-old have deli meat?
While technically possible, it’s better to wait until your baby is more experienced with solid foods so they’re not exposed to too much sodium early on.
Consider these points when feeding a baby deli meat:
- Focus on other high-iron food options first
- Ensure proper preparation to avoid foodborne illness
- Watch for signs your baby’s gag reflex is working normally
- Start with a small amount
- Consider other iron-rich food alternatives like egg yolk or ground meat instead of deli meat
- Always follow medical advice from your pediatrician
Final Thoughts on Serving Deli Meat During Baby-led Weaning
The easiest way to serve deli meat safely is to cut it into long strips – about the size of two adult fingers.
Never serve large chunks or whole slices. For young children, especially early eaters, a small amount is best for the first time.
Always heat cold cuts to the proper internal temperature (steaming hot) to kill harmful bacteria.
This is a great way to protect your baby’s immune system from potential foodborne illness. As with all small pieces of food, watch for signs that your baby’s gag reflex is working normally.
Remember, this is just one option in the wide variety of meats and protein sources available for your baby’s diet.
