Foods To Avoid Giving To Your Baby
As you begin to introduce solid food to your baby, you need to be aware of foods to avoid. The last thing you want to do is to upset your baby’s tummy or cause an allergic reaction. In addition, you want to make sure that you are not causing any other potential problems to your little one. So what should you avoid? We advise that you avoid salt, sugar, honey, nuts, eggs, shellfish and gluten until your baby is at least six months old. Let’s look at the reasons why.
Salt
We are all aware that too much salt is bad for us. We need to be particularly careful with our baby. A baby’s kidneys cannot cope with too much salt and it is dangerous to give them much. Here are some key points to remember when introducing solids to your baby:
• Babies up to 6 months should have less than 1g of salt per day.
• From 7 months a baby can have a maximum of 1g of salt per day.
• A breastfed/formula fed baby will get the right amount of salt in their diet without it being added.
• When you do introduce solid food, ensure it doesn’t contain any added salt.
• Don’t add extra salt to your baby’s food.
• Limit the amount of high salt food you give to your baby e.g. cheese, bacon, sausages etc.
• Avoid giving your baby processed foods that aren’t specifically made for babies e.g. pasta sauces, breakfast cereals etc, as they could be high in salt.
Sugar
Sugar should be limited in your baby’s diet. Too many sugary foods can lead to tooth decay. Parents often wonder why there is growing importance being put on keeping a baby’s primary teeth (or milk teeth) in good condition because they are going to fall out anyway. However, besides the obvious importance of healthy primary teeth for eating, appearance and speech, they are also essential for guiding permanent teeth which develop underneath into their correct positions. Follow these tips:
• Don’t add sugar to food or drinks
• Avoid sugary snacks and juices
• Use breast milk, formula or mashed banana to sweeten stewed fruits
• Don’t put sugar on your baby’s soother
• If your baby takes a bottle to bed, use breast mild, formula or water
Honey
Apart from the obvious risk to your baby’s teeth, did you know that honey can contain a type of bacteria known to produce toxins. These toxins could be produced in your baby’s intestines causing a serious illness called botulism. It is vital therefore to avoid giving honey to your baby until they are 1 year old when their intestines have matured.
Other Foods to Avoid
Some foods can cause an allergic reaction in your baby so don’t give any of the following until they are 6 months old.
• Wheat based foods and foods containing gluten (bread, wheat flour, breakfast cereals and some rusks)
• Nuts (e.g. Hazelnuts , peanuts , peanut butter , nut based spreads)
• Don’t give eggs (incl. Mayonnaise / hollandaise sauce )
• Don’t give shellfish
Grainne Grundy
Help Me 2 Parent