Does your child need salt? Apollo doctor shares how it can affect their health

Parents often wonder whether adding salt to their child’s food is necessary or even safe. Dr Sudhir Kumar, an Apollo doctor, addressed this question on X, explaining how salt affects children at every stage of growth. From newborns to teenagers, understanding the right approach to sodium can shape lifelong eating habits and health outcomes. Many common practices, myths, and assumptions about salt are outdated, and knowing the facts can make one simple decision that protects your child’s well-being.

From birth to six months, babies get all the sodium they need from breast milk or formula, so no additional salt is required. Between six and twelve months, home foods combined with breast milk provide sufficient sodium, and added salt can strain still-developing kidneys. Children aged one to five already meet their sodium needs through natural foods, and extra salt can condition their brains to crave it for life. Older children and teens often consume far more salt than recommended through snacks, processed foods, and sauces.

Parents often hear myths that children need extra salt because they sweat, or that homemade meals are bland without it, or that rock or pink salt is safer. The truth is that taste buds adapt, and children never miss what they are never given. Flavours can be enhanced with herbs, spices, lemon, and garlic, and when salt is used, small amounts of iodised salt are sufficient. High salt intake in childhood is linked to higher blood pressure even in kids, and early eating habits often carry into adulthood.



Dr Sudhir Kumar emphasises that breastfeeding and normal food are enough, and adding salt is unnecessary and potentially harmful. While parenting involves countless decisions, limiting added salt is a simple one that ensures children develop healthy, lasting habits.

Here's what NHS UK says-

According to the National Health Service UK, consuming excess salt raises blood pressure, increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Adults should limit intake to no more than 6 grams a day, including salt already present in packaged or cooked food. Babies require even less, as their kidneys are not fully developed.


The NHS advises cutting back by flavouring meals with herbs, spices, garlic, chilli or lemon instead of salt, checking traffic-light labels, choosing reduced-salt options, rinsing brined foods, limiting processed items and salty sauces, opting for healthier snacks, and avoiding keeping salt at the table.