Protein Food Library
When can babies have pollock?
Can babies have pollock?
Babies can have pollock from about 6 months when it is fully cooked, flaked and checked for bones. Pollock is a mild, flaky, low-mercury white fish and a budget-friendly first fish. Fish is one of the Top 9 common allergens, so start with a small amount.
How to serve pollock by age
Shapes and textures change as your baby’s grasp and chewing grow.
6 months
Bake, steam or poach pollock until it flakes easily, remove all skin and bones, then mash or blend it smooth with potato, sweet potato or a little cooking liquid. Offer it on a spoon once it has cooled.
7–8 months
Mash flaked pollock more roughly into potato or sweet potato, or offer soft flakes and a large, boneless piece your baby can squeeze, since cooked pollock falls apart easily between your fingers.
9–12 months
Offer small flakes of pollock for pincer practice, or make soft fish cakes with mashed potato and herbs. Keep checking for bones.
12 months +
Toddlers can eat pollock in bite-size pieces, fish tacos, chowder or homemade baked fish sticks. Choose baked over deep-fried and keep salt low.
Why it’s good
Pollock gives babies lean protein, vitamin B12, selenium, phosphorus, niacin and some omega-3 fats for brain development. Pollock is low in mercury, making it a good choice for regular fish meals.
Safety notes
- Remove all bones and skin. Flake each piece with your fingers before serving.
- Cook pollock until it is opaque and flakes easily. Never serve raw or undercooked fish to babies.
- Frozen fish sticks and breaded fillets are often salty and fried. Bake homemade versions instead, and save store-bought ones for occasional toddler meals.
- Imitation crab is often made from pollock but contains added salt, sugar, starch and sometimes egg or wheat. Keep it occasional for toddlers.
- Pollock is low in mercury; avoid high-mercury fish like shark, swordfish, king mackerel and bigeye tuna.
Introduce pollock on its own, then keep it in
Fish is one of the Top 9 allergens. Introduce a small amount of pollock and watch for hives, vomiting, swelling, coughing or wheezing, and keep fish in the diet regularly once tolerated.
Pollock for babies: questions parents ask
Quick answers about pollock for babies and toddlers.
When can babies have pollock?
Babies can have pollock from about 6 months, as soon as they start solid foods. Pollock should be fully cooked, flaked and checked for bones.
Can babies have pollock?
Yes, babies can eat pollock, and its mild taste and soft flakes make it an easy first fish. Pollock is low in mercury and affordable.
Is pollock a choking hazard for babies?
Pollock is a low choking risk because it is soft and flaky. Fish bones can be a hazard, so remove all bones before serving pollock to a baby.
Is pollock a common allergen?
Yes, pollock is a common allergen because fish is one of the Top 9 allergens. Introduce pollock in a small amount and watch for signs of a reaction.
How do I serve pollock to a 6 month old?
To serve pollock to a 6 month old, bake or steam a fillet until it flakes, remove skin and bones, and mash or blend it smooth with potato or sweet potato. Let the fish cool and offer it on a spoon. Soft flakes and larger pieces to squeeze can follow at 7–8 months.
Is pollock high in mercury?
No, pollock is one of the lowest-mercury fish available. Pollock can be served 1 to 2 times a week in child-size portions as part of a varied seafood diet.
Can babies have fish sticks made from pollock?
Store-bought fish sticks made from pollock are salty and fried, so they are best saved for occasional toddler meals. Homemade baked pollock sticks are a better choice for babies.
Can babies have imitation crab?
Imitation crab is usually made from pollock with added salt, sugar and starch, and sometimes egg or wheat. Imitation crab is best kept as an occasional food for toddlers, finely chopped.
Can I use frozen pollock for my baby?
Yes, frozen pollock fillets are a convenient choice for babies and are often boneless. Thaw in the fridge, cook fully and check for bones.
The takeaway
- Babies can have pollock from about 6 months when it is fully cooked, flaked and checked for bones.
- Bake, steam or poach pollock until it flakes easily, remove all skin and bones, then mash or blend it smooth with potato, sweet potato or a little cooking liquid.
- Choking risk is low. Fish is one of the Top 9 allergens: offer a small amount first, watch for a reaction, then keep it in the diet regularly.
Read next
Sources
This guide follows current advice from these organizations.
- Starting Solid Foods American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org)
- When, What, and How to Introduce Solid Foods Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Choking Hazards Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Foods and Drinks to Avoid or Limit Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Advice about Eating Fish U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- The Effects of Early Nutritional Interventions on the Development of Atopic Disease in Infants and Children Greer FR, Sicherer SH, Burks AW; American Academy of Pediatrics. Pediatrics. 2019;143(4):e20190281
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Updated November 2026. Reviewed by our dietitians. Based on AAP, CDC and NIAID guidance. Written for healthy, full-term babies; not a substitute for your pediatrician. If your baby was born early, has a medical condition, feeding difficulties or a known allergy, check with them first (medical disclaimer). Always stay with your baby while they eat.