Worried I Gave My 1 Year Old Too Much Tuna.

Dont be worried. Babies can actually eat tuna after 6 mos of age (why you would do it that early I don't know) I might limit how much she ate going forward maybe once a week if she does like it that much. If she does thats great, my kids still HATE fish and they are 10 & 8.

Mercury is only a problem when the body assimilates a lot of mercury. Most of us could never eat enough fish with mercury to cause illness. I suggest we are given warnings because as a society we expect to be able to control everything. Scientists do research and give us what information they have at the time. They suggest limiting mercury ingestion as a safeguard. I suggest that scientists haven't figured out how much will cause what effect.

Remember when we were advised to only drink one or two cups of coffee per day. Now scientists tell as to drink as much as six cups because coffee is now considered to have positive effects for health.

I suggest that many things are safe when eaten/used in moderation. In my early years most lived by common sense because science knew very little. Common sense invcluded the idea of moderation. Remember that scientists, in the 50's and 60's' said heart difficulties mostly happens only to men. We know differently now. All so recently it is considered OK to eat a limited number of eggs. Science isn't all knowing. Scientists are rapidly finding new things.

However, if you are concerned about mercury you can buy mercury free tuna.

She will be fine. I think you are supposed to limit tuna to one can a week, but more tuna on occasion will not harm her. Don't worry.

And by the way -- I'm old enough to remember when the dangers of mercury were unknown, and we were allowed to handle mercury in 4th grade science class. I remember rolling balls of mercury around in my hands, and not washing them afterward, and then chewing my nails with abandon. Fun!

Don't worry. Tuna may contain mercury but it may not. I wouldn't assume the worst. My daughter's pediatrician said to limit tuna to twice a week.

Edit...I ate tuna almost daily when I was pregnant with my oldest. There were not any warnings back then. She is just fine.

you really can't stress yourself out too much over this sort of thing. yes, mercury IS a concern. no, your toddler can't possibly eat enough at one sitting to damage herself. it's a cumulative effect over a lifetime that can be an issue, especially combined with the mercury that used to be in everything.
in science class when i was a kid one of our favorite things was when the teacher would get the mercury out and let us play with it.
:)
mercury awareness is very high these days, and it's unlikely your todder is coming into contact with it. she can have some tuna from time to time.
khairete
S.

I'm no Dr. .......But this is not something I'd worry about unless she ate equivalent to 10 cans or something which no person would do.

You say "this week".... So if there were to be an adverse reaction, I'd think you'd know by now!!

I feel like there are much bigger things to worry about. However, if is makes you feel better, call the nurse and ask.

I don't think a 1 yr old is capable of ingesting that much.

Relax!!

I wouldn't worry about it.

When our kids were little they ate tuna and other foods that are taboo now. They turned out just fine. I know that chemicals and stuff has more presence now but I really really think it's a media thing that is overblown.

Tuna is put through a lot of processing to get it ready to eat. Do your own research and see if it's as bad as you think.

My kid ate tuna for lunch every day for close to a year. That was what she wanted. Didn't do her any harm. I ate tuna several times a week while pregnant, and neither she nor I suffered any ill effects.

no... mercury is a lifelong issue.. so eating POUNDS of tuna for a few days is not as bad as eating a bit of tuna every day for a year..

not sure what the guidelines are.. but maybe tuna 1 x a week...
baby is fine..