Avoiding foods that could be harmful
To begin with, stick to puréed fruit and veg, baby rice, and breast milk or formula. Your baby’s digestive system not only needs time to get used to new stuff, but sticking to these foods makes him less likely to react badly or develop and allergy. Beyond the age of 6 months, many foods are considered safe, but some can cause allergies or illness or pose a choking risk. Here’s what not to give:
- Cows’ and goats’ milk: These milks don’t provide the right proportion of nutrients for young babies. Don’t even use them to mix up your baby’s cereal – use only breast milk or iron-fortified formula for the first 12 months, after which, go ahead and introduce your baby slowly to fullfat cows’ milk. Don’t be tempted to serve reduced-fat or skimmed milk to your child until he’s at least 2 years old, as he needs the extra fat in whole milk to provide energy for his growing body.
- Nuts: All are a choking hazard.
- Peanut and other nut products: Avoid because they may cause allergies. If you have a family history of asthma, eczema, or allergies, avoid giving your baby peanut products until he’s at least 36 months old.
- Salt: Babies under 1 year of age cannot process any salt. If you add salt to food, it can cause serious kidney damage. Gravy granules, stock cubes, and ready-made sauces are packed with salt, so don’t go near them.
- Honey: Avoid honey for the first year of your baby’s life, as it can contain spores that cause botulism poisoning in infants. Although rare, botulism poisoning can make your baby extremely ill.
- Sugar and any foods containing sugar: Avoid it altogether – it has no nutritional value and is bad for your baby’s teeth.
- Eggs: A whole lot of nutrition is packed into a little egg. But wait until your baby’s at least a year old before scrambling up eggs for him. If you feed eggs any sooner, you’ll run the risk of causing an allergic reaction in your baby.
- Tea, coffee, and fizzy drinks: The caffeine in these prevents your baby’s body from absorbing iron.
- Low-fat foods: These don’t provide enough calories for your baby’s growing needs.
- Foods that may cause an allergic reaction, including chocolate, beans, corn, nuts, seafood, and citrus fruits and juices: Avoid these foods for baby’s first year, especially if you have a family history of allergies.
Young children need fat in their diet because it provides instant energy, and allows them to metabolize essential vitamins. As long as your baby’s weight gain is steady, don’t concern yourself with cutting fat.
Posted in Children's Health
