[Blog] 7 Foods you should not give to your children

7 Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Baby

As exciting as it is to offer new meals to your kid when they begin solids, there are a few items that should be avoided throughout the first year. Certain foods present a choking threat to young eaters, while others are unsuitable for infants.

This is your guide to foods to avoid during your baby's first year, as well as when they are acceptable to introduce.

 

Honey:

Honey (or honey-based products) are prohibited for the first year due to the possibility of spores of the bacteria Clostridium botulinum being present. Although these spores are safe for humans, they can induce infant botulism in infants under the age of one. This serious but seldom deadly condition can result in constipation, weaker sucking, decreased appetite, drowsiness, and even pneumonia and dehydration. Therefore, wait until the baby's first birthday before serving honey to your beloved.

Milk from cows:

While it may benefit an adult's (larger) body, newborns under the age of one should avoid cow's milk, as it can be difficult for infants to digest. Cow's milk also lacks some minerals (such as iron and vitamin E) that a newborn requires throughout his or her first year of life, which is why breast milk or formula is the preferred milk source.

By about 8 months, however, the majority of doctors will approve whole milk yogurt, cottage cheese, and hard cheese (and possibly even the occasional sip of whole milk). Once your infant reaches the age of one, full cow's milk is acceptable in moderation. Keep an eye out for signs of milk intolerance or allergy (though milk allergies are rare).

Juice from fruits:

Fruit juice is little more than sugar water; it contains calories but no fat, protein, calcium, zinc, vitamin D, or fiber that infants require. It can suffocate tender appetites for breast milk or formula, which should be the primary source of nutrition for infants throughout the first year of life. Additionally, excessive juice consumption might result in tooth decay, diarrhea, and other chronic gastrointestinal problems.

Sweets:

Babies who have never tasted a cupcake are completely unconcerned about icing – and how sweet that is. While infant taste receptors are naturally inclined toward sweetness, they are also more receptive to other flavors (sharp, acidic, tart, and even bitter) when introduced.

There is no need to exclude naturally sweet baby favorites such as bananas, given they are nutrient-dense. Simply avoid sweetening whatever baby eats with fruit while you are establishing the flavor foundations for the baby. Additionally, avoid sugary foods until at least the baby's first birthday, particularly chocolate (which includes caffeine) and hard candies (M&M) Skittles, and jelly beans, which pose a choking hazard).

Foods that have not been pasteurized:

Just as these items were off-limits throughout your pregnancy, you should never feed unpasteurized (raw) dairy products, juice, or cider to your newborn. They may include harmful bacteria that are capable of causing life-threatening diseases in infants and young children.

Meats that have been smoked or cured:

The majority of smoked or cured meats (such as bologna and bacon) contain nitrates and other compounds and are heavy in sodium and animal fat, making them unsuitable for infants. Likewise with the majority of smoked fish.

Mercury-containing fish:

Regularly feeding infant and toddler fish has been shown to improve IQ. Simply avoid those with elevated mercury levels (shark, swordfish, king mackerel, tilefish, and fresh tuna, among others). Additionally, avoid fish from contaminated waters (especially important if you go fishing; check with the local health department).

Rather than that, adhere to safe species such as haddock, hake, pollack, ocean perch, whitefish, wild salmon, tilapia, flounder, trout, sole, shrimp, and scallops. Canned tuna is also recommended; simply choose canned chunk light tuna, which has less mercury than albacore tuna, and limit to 1 ounce every 12 pounds of baby's weight.