Foods that your baby should avoid before 1st year

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Your little one may be getting eager to try new foods, but there are some foods that you should limit or skip as well as some that are downright dangerous to infants. Here’s a handy list of foods to avoid giving to your baby before their first birthday.

Honey

This one makes the top of the list. Honey is the big no-no during the first year due to the fact that it may contain a bacteria called Clostridium botulinum. The spores produced by this bacteria are generally harmless to adults and children older than 1. However, it can cause botulism in infants. Even foods containing honey fall into this category. Signs of infant botulism include constipation, poor appetite, lethargy, pneumonia, and dehydration.

Cow’s Milk

Cow’s milk should be avoided during the first year of life. It can be harder to digest than breastmilk or formula. But the biggest reason is because it does not have all the nutrients your baby needs such as iron and vitamin E. Diary products like cheese and yogurt are generally OK, but talk to your pediatrician before starting anything with milk.

Salt

Babies should avoid salty food as it is hard on their kidneys. Don’t add salt to baby food and limit the use of stock or gravy as these tend to be high in sodium.

Sugar

Babies do not need sugar. Avoid sugary snacks and drinks such as soda and fruit juice.

Saturated Fat

Avoid giving your baby too many foods high in saturated fat. Reading nutrition labels will help identify problem foods. Generally speaking, anything fatty or fried is going to have saturated fat.

Whole nuts/peanuts

These make the list because they are a choking hazard to all small children. Better alternatives are crushed nuts or things like peanut butter.

Cheese

Most cheese is fine and part of a healthy balanced diet, but there are a few to avoid. Any cheese made from unpasteurized ingredients or mold-ripened cheeses are best left for older children and adults. Babies can catch listeria from cheeses such as camembert, brie, and roquefort along with cheese made with goat’s milk.

Raw or uncooked eggs

Scrambled eggs are a favorite among babies starting around 6 months of age. There is absolutely nothing wrong with fully cooked eggs. The problem is runny yolks and raw ingredients. Although rare, eggs can contain salmonella. The only way to get rid of it is heat, aka cooking sufficiently.

Raw fish/sushi

Any sort of raw protein is going to be risky for adults and babies. There is a chance of food poisoning. Don’t chance it for someone too small to understand the risks.

Ocean fish

Some types of large ocean fish such as mackerel, marlin, swordfish, tuna, and shark have high levels of mercury in their flesh. Mercury can affect the development of the nervous system and lead to lifelong problems. Best avoided until older.