Instant Noodles & Ramen

Can babies have instant noodles?

Not before 12 months, and then only the noodles, without the seasoning packet. Even boiled in plain water, the noodle block has salt in the dough, and most bricks are fried before packing. The seasoning makes it one of the saltiest foods in the kitchen: a standard pack with its sachet has around 1,600 mg of sodium, while a baby’s daily guide at 7 to 12 months is 370 mg and a toddler’s is 800 mg.^[1][2] Before 12 months, offer regular pasta or plain wheat noodles instead.

The seasoning often contains MSG (monosodium glutamate), a flavor enhancer that gives food a savory taste. It’s made from glutamate, which occurs naturally in foods like tomatoes and cheese, and the FDA considers it safe. MSG often gets the blame, but salt is the real issue. The sachet is also where allergens hide, like soy, wheat, and sometimes shellfish or egg.^[3]

From 12 months, boil a small portion of noodles in plain water, drain them well, and cut them short. Flavor the bowl with unsalted stock or a spoonful of tomato sauce. If you use the sachet at all, a pinch is the most to add.^[4]

Choking risk

Cooked instant noodles are a low choking risk - they're soft - but long, slippery strands are hard for a baby to manage and can slide to the back of the throat in a clump.

Cut cooked noodles into short pieces, around an inch, and serve them warm, never in hot broth. See how to serve for each age.^[5]

Allergens

Instant noodles are made from wheat, a common food allergen, and some noodle blocks also contain egg.^[6][7][8]

The sachets add soy and often shellfish or fish flavorings; check the pack if any of those is still to be introduced. Plain noodles are a fine way to bring wheat into the diet if it hasn't been yet - offer a small amount earlier in the day.^[9]

As with any new food, start with a small amount and watch for a reaction.

Food safety

Salt is the main concern, so use the sachet sparingly or not at all.^[2] Burns are the second. Noodle soup stays hot for a long time, and cup noodles knocked over on a high chair tray are a common cause of scalds. Let the bowl cool well, and for babies and young toddlers, serve the noodles drained rather than in broth.

Most noodle blocks are fried, so they’re fairly high in fat and low in everything else. Stir in egg, tofu, peas or shredded chicken to make the bowl a fuller meal, and keep instant noodles as an occasional meal, not a daily one.