How much salt can a baby have? Less than one slice of bread
Under 12 months the guideline is under 1g of salt a day — total. One slice of bread is about half of that. Here's the practical way to stay under it.
Here’s the number that stops most parents: under 12 months, the guideline is less than 1g of salt per day — total. A single slice of commercial bread carries around half of that. Add a cheese slice and you’ve used the budget before anything that looks “salty” reaches the tray. The reason is simple — infant kidneys aren’t built to process adult sodium loads yet.
The practical problem is that baby-targeted marketing doesn’t help. Pouches with wholesome veggie branding, toddler crackers and gravy-based meals often carry the sodium in the fine print, and “low sodium” claims are frequently calculated against adult reference values.
The fix that actually works day to day: cook one family meal with no added salt, take the baby’s portion out, then season yours at the table. Zero extra cooking, full compliance.
Related guides: toast, cheese.
Based on NHS weaning guidance.
Frequently asked questions
How much salt can a baby under 1 have?
The guideline is less than 1g of salt per day in total before 12 months. A single slice of commercial bread carries around half of that, so it adds up faster than most parents expect.
Why is too much salt a problem for babies?
A baby's kidneys aren't yet able to process adult sodium loads. Keeping salt low protects them while their kidneys mature.
How do I keep my baby's salt low day to day?
Cook one family meal with no added salt, take the baby's portion out, then season yours at the table. It's no extra cooking and keeps the baby well under the limit.
Guidance, not medical advice — always supervise feeding and consult your pediatrician.