Learn how to safely serve shrimp (prawns) to babies 6 months and older using a baby led weaning approach with this guide, including best ways to prepare shrimp, how to cut shrimp for babies, and recipe ideas.
This post has been written and medically reviewed by Kaleigh McMordie, MCN, RDN (Registered Dietitian Nutritionist).
Shrimp are incredibly quick and easy to prepare, which is why I tend to make them at least every week or two. However, when you have a baby that's sharing your meal, you may be nervous to let your baby eat shrimp. However, it's good to offer your baby seafood - it's healthy and a new flavor experience! While shrimp can be one of the top choking hazards for small children, you can serve shrimp to your little one using the guidelines below.
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Can Babies Eat Shrimp/Prawns?
As soon as babies are developmentally ready for solids, around 6 months of age, they can eat shrimp. Because they are a common choking hazard, shrimp must be prepared and served in a safe way. They are also a common allergen (shellfish), so it is important not to introduce other new allergens at the same meal and to observe baby for any reaction the first few times. Introducing allergens and keeping them in the diet at an early age is thought to help prevent food allergies, so don't shy away!
Baby Health Benefits of Shrimp
Fresh shrimp have many nutrients that are important for babies' growth and brain health that may be hard to get from other sources, including high quality protein, B12, iron, zinc, choline, omega-3 fatty acids, and iodine.1
Shrimp are higher in sodium, especially if they are frozen or processed, so I wouldn't offer them daily, but once every week or two should be just fine. Shrimp are high in cholesterol, but I don't worry about it since dietary cholesterol does not raise blood cholesterol.2
How To Serve Shrimp for Baby Led Weaning 6 Months +
Because shrimp can be hard to chew and have a cylindrical shape, they are a common choking risk for babies and children. When serving to babies and toddlers, the round shape MUST be eliminated. You can do this by first cutting shrimp down the center (from head to tail end), and then chopping further as needed. Shrimp must be cooked in order to be safe to eat, but try not to over-cook them which can cause them to be tough and make them more difficult to chew. Always remove any shells, including the heads and tails.
Shrimp for BLW 6+ Months
For new eaters with a palmar grasp, you can offer shrimp:
- Halved or quartered down the center to remove the round shape. This is best done with the largest shrimp you can find. If this method makes you nervous, it's ok! Skip it and use one of the other methods for 6 months.
- Finely chopped and made into shrimp cakes.
- Finely chopped or shredded and stirred into a scoopable food, such as mashed avocado, mashed beans, or mashed potatoes. Serve on a preloaded spoon or form into balls that baby can grasp.
Shrimp for BLW 9+ Months
Once babies have developed a pincer grasp, they can pick up small pieces. Continue to cut shrimp down the center to eliminate the round shape, then chop them into pieces the size of your fingernail or smaller. You can also continue serving using one of the methods above.
What To Look For When Buying Shrimp
Fresh vs Frozen: Fresh or frozen are both fine! I personally buy frozen since most shrimp sold behind the seafood counter has been frozen and defrosted anyway, which can affect the texture of the shrimp and make it mushy. Most of the time, I'm going to put it in my freezer anyway. Frozen is handy to have since you can thaw out exactly how many you need. Just make sure you read the label to make sure there aren't any additives ("shrimp" should be the only ingredient listed).
Peeled vs Unpeeled: Cleaning shrimp from whole, or those that still have the legs, can be a chore, especially when you have young children! But the shells help retain moisture and texture when frozen. I like the "easy peel" kind, which are sometimes sold as "peeled and deveined" even though they still have some of the shell still on, but the shells are cut and the feet removed. Deveining is a task, so if I can get them deveined already, I'm all for it!
Size: Look for the biggest shrimp possible, especially if you aren't going to be finely chopping or mincing them. Sizing is based on the number of shrimp per pound, so the lower the number the bigger the shrimp. Go for 16/20, which means there are 16-20 shrimp per pound, the biggest classification. If you're making shrimp cakes or something similar, then smaller shrimp are fine.
Farmed vs Wild Caught: Most shrimp sold in the US are farmed, which means they are raised in tanks of water, and many of them imported from other countries. While antibiotics are banned in US raised shrimp, it is hard to regulate the shrimp coming from other countries, so there is always the risk of antibiotics in farmed shrimp. US wild-caught shrimp are the safest and healthiest option, but they are also more expensive, so you have to do what's best for your family's preferences and budget.
Tip: To thaw shrimp easily, place it in a bowl of room temperature water for 10-15 minutes. Change out the water and repeat if needed.
Best Ways To Cook Shrimp for Babies
Shrimp are great because they cook so quickly! However, they are easy to over-cook and make rubbery - which is tougher for babies to chew and poses a greater choking risk. Shrimp only take a few minutes to cook, and are done when the skin turns pink, they start to curl into 'C' shapes, and the interior is opaque. If you want to double check with a thermometer, the interior should reach 145°F/63°C. I'd advise taking them off the heat a few degrees short of that because they'll continue cooking from residual heat, and this will help them retain moisture. Some good cooking methods for shrimp include:
Sautéing: Heat a large skillet to medium-high heat. Add olive oil or butter to coat the bottom and then add the shrimp, careful not to over-crowd the pan. Cook the shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side, or until pink and opaque. I like adding chopped garlic and lemon juice or fresh herbs when cooking.
Steaming: Place a steamer basket in a pot filled with water to just below the basket. Bring it to a boil, then add the peeled shrimp to the basket. Immediately cover with a lid and reduce the heat to low. Steam for 4-5 minutes, or until shrimp are pink and slightly curled.
Grilling: Grilled shrimp taste delicious, but can over-cook quickly! To make grilling easier, I like to thread shrimp onto metal skewers or cook in a grilling basket. Dress shrimp with oil and any seasonings and grill over medium heat for 2-3 minutes per side, or until pink and opaque.
Baking/Roasting: Shrimp cook quickly in the oven, so high heat is best. Toss shrimp with olive oil and any seasonings and place in a single layer on a baking sheet or in a dish. Bake at 425°F for about 8 minutes, stirring once halfway through.
Boiling: While many people boil shrimp, they become overcooked and tough easily this way, so watch them carefully! Bring a pot of water to a boil. Once boiling, add the shrimp and return to a boil. Simmer for 4-5 minutes, or until pink and opaque. Pull them from the water as soon as they're done and place them in an ice water bath immediately to avoid tough shrimp.
Stewing: Shrimp is delicious in soups, stews and curries. Make the recipe as desired, and add the shrimp during the last few minutes of cooking. Cover and simmer just until the shrimp are cooked through, about 5 minutes.
BLW Friendly Shrimp Recipes
- Baked Shrimp Cakes
- Sheet Pan Shrimp Tacos by Baby Foode
- Shrimp and Corn Cakes by Dishing Out Health
- Shrimp, Orange and Avocado Quinoa Salad
- Shrimp and Asparagus Risotto by Iowa Girl Eats (I'd chop up the shrimp finely for baby and stir it into the risotto)
- Coconut Shrimp Curry by Feel Goof Foodie
Track your baby's journey through starting solids! Get my 100 First Foods Checklist and Allergen Checklist Bundle today!
FAQ
Yes, because shrimp are round and firm/chewy, they are a common choking hazard. Be sure to serve shrimp in a safe, age-appropriate way as outlined above and always supervise abby closely when eating! If baby gets caught up on a large piece of shrimp, calmly coach him to spit it out. Never stick your hand inside baby's mouth, as this could push food farther into the airway.
Yes. Shrimp are part of the shellfish family, which are common allergens. Serve allergens early and often to reduce the risk of developing a food allergy. When introducing shellfish for the first time, make sure you're not serving other new allergens so you can observe for a definite reaction.
Continue to offer shrimp halved down the center well into toddlerhood to avoid choking. Around 24 months is a good age to offer whole shrimp if you child consistently shows that he can take small bites and chew food well.
It's best to avoid fried foods until baby is at least 12 months. After baby's first birthday, fried foods like should should still only be offered in moderation and in safe methods.
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