My DC started eating raw shellfish at her grandparent’s house on the Cape as a one year old. Then a few years of pickiness, and now as a 5.5 year old she likes sashimi.

No way, that stuff is expensive and my kids would eat $40 worth each.

I'm Chinese American and one of my twins enjoys sushi. I think he first had it around age 6 or 7. I remember meeting my now-nephew back in the late 90's (we had been dating about 1.5 years and this was my first time meeting my wife's brother, his wife and son). He was 8 and his request for dinner that night was for sushi because he loved it and it was one of his favorites. He had already been having it for a couple of years.

I’m Korean-American. My kid has been eating sushi since around age 3. Just rolls with pieces cut in half, or parts from my chirashi bowl. But he also eats very runny eggs, raw lettuce, etc. I bet most American peds would not bat an eye at raw salad, even though I feel like the risk of food poisoning is much much higher than with sushi.

I've given it to my kids at 2. Mostly California rolls and eel, but some
raw salmon as well. I would limit tuna and other fish high in mercury (whether raw or cooked). I had it as a toddler, 2 or 3.

Anonymous wrote:How can never be a reasonable answer?

She’s very by the books and because it’s raw and the risk of food borne illnesses increases she said never while under her care. Clearly not happening but her opinion.

Anonymous wrote:Japanese here. I think at around 3, for raw fish. They didn't much care for it at first anyway.

Thank you!

I feel like our ped is playing it safe. We eat sushi 1-3x a week and wanted to know when we should introduce to our DD (3). She’s had vegan and cooked rolls but wanted to know when it’s best to introduce to raw.

What was the pediatrician's rationale?

I do limit tuna for my family--both for environmental reasons and because of the high mercury content, which is a neurotoxin.

How can never be a reasonable answer?

Never ever? That seems extreme.

My kids like California rolls, unagi maki. And kappa maki before they liked raw fish. They ate those as toddlers.

Now, my kids are teen boys and I regret introducing sushi, because they can eat like a mortgage payment’s worth in one sitting. I assume your ped wasn’t thinking budget though.

Japanese here. I think at around 3, for raw fish. They didn't much care for it at first anyway.

DD started eating it at 4. Never had any problems and she still loves it as a pre-teen.

I gave them a bite at 3 & 5 thinking they wouldn’t like it. They ate the whole roll. They love it, we don’t eat it in excess, so I think it’s fine.

Veggie yes, raw wait a few more years.

White American here.

My wife and I are sushi fans. Our kid is 2 and we were wondering at what age is raw sushi/sashimi is appropriate? Google says over 5. Pediatrician says never.

Thoughts?