South African parents have given babies biltong to chew on for generations. In the UK it's less well known, but the questions parents ask before trying it are consistent: is it safe, what age is appropriate, and what should they look for. Here are the straightforward answers.
Is biltong safe for babies?
Yes, with the right product and the right age. Biltong is air-dried beef with no cooking, no smoking, and when made properly, no preservatives or additives. The short ingredient list is part of why it works for babies: beef, vinegar, salt, coriander, pepper. That's it.
The salt content is the main consideration. Biltong is a cured meat, so sodium is present. Babies under 12 months should have less than 1g of salt per day, so biltong chews are not appropriate before that age. From 12 months onwards, a chew used for teething relief rather than eaten as a meal contributes a small and manageable amount of sodium.
The other thing to check is the spice level. Original biltong carries more pepper and is better suited to toddlers and adults. A milder recipe, like our Trekkers flavour, is the right choice for babies.
What age can babies have biltong?
12 months is the starting point. Before that, sodium levels in any cured or processed meat are too high for a baby's kidneys to handle comfortably. From 12 months, a biltong chew used for teething is fine as long as the flavour is mild and you're keeping an eye on overall salt intake across the day.
How does it work for teething?
Teething pain comes from pressure on inflamed gums. Chewing on something firm gives babies counter-pressure, which is why they chew on everything they can find. Biltong works because it's firm enough to provide that resistance but softens slowly with chewing, so there's no risk of chunks breaking off.
Our chews are cut specifically for this: thick enough to grip, sized so little hands can hold them, and made from the same beef we use for all our biltong. After a day of chewing, rinse the piece, put it in the fridge overnight, and the cool temperature adds another layer of relief when you give it back the next morning.
What to avoid
A few things to check before buying biltong for a baby:
Additives and preservatives. Commercially made biltong sometimes contains sodium nitrite or other preservatives. Check the label. Our biltong uses no preservatives.
High spice levels. Chilli, peri-peri, and heavily peppered varieties are not suitable for babies. Stick to mild.
Very dry, hard biltong. A wetter, softer chew is better for babies than fully dried biltong, which can be quite firm.
Where to get biltong chews
We make our chews in Basildon specifically for teething. Trekkers is the mild option for babies; Original suits toddlers who are past the early teething stage. Both are available online with free delivery on orders over £50, and in our Basildon and Chelmsford shops.