Don’t Give These 10 Foods To Your Baby
Knowing what food to give your baby is very important in the first year, because that’s when he or she will start eating solid foods.
According to pediatricians, there are some foods that should never be given to a baby.
Some of them can adversely affect your child and his or her delicate digestive system, while others pose a risk of suffocation.
It is therefore best to avoid some foods until the child is older, as they increase the risk of food allergies.
Whether you are breastfeeding or giving milk from a bottle, sooner or later you will need to include a variety of other foods in your baby’s diet.
As a parent, it is important to be aware of what foods should never be given to a baby.
10 foods that should not be given to the baby
1. Honey
Children under the age of 1 are not allowed to eat honey. It may contain a harmful bacterium called Clostridium botulinum, which can cause botulism and can result in muscle paralysis and other serious symptoms.
Your child’s resistance is not yet strong enough to be able to fight these dangerous bacteria.
2. Nuts
Do not give whole nuts – including peanuts – to children 5 years of age or younger. They can cause suffocation.
As long as the family has not had a nut allergy, you can give your child peanuts in the form of peanut butter when he is six months old.
3. Strawberries
They are quite acidic, and thus strawberries are not suitable for your child’s sensitive digestive system.
So keep strawberries away from your child’s food until he’s a year old. Also, make sure that the family has not been allergic to this fruit.
4. Chocolate
Chocolate is one of those products that should never be given to a baby. It contains caffeine, which is harmful to the little ones.
Chocolate is also a high-sugar delicacy, and the amount of sugar should be kept to a minimum, especially for babies.
5. Fruit juices
Fruit juices are high in calories, but not the fat, protein, calcium, vitamin D, and fiber that babies all need.
Too much fruit juice can also cause cavities, diarrhea and constant stomach problems.
6. Smoked and industrially processed meat
Most smoked and dried meats (such as ham and bacon) contain nitrates and other harmful chemicals.
They are also high in sodium and animal fat, which can be harmful to small children.
7. Cow’s milk
Do not give your baby cow’s milk until he is one year old. Cow’s milk does not have the nutrients (such as iron and vitamin E) that your baby needs to grow and develop during the first year.
For babies, breast milk is the best milk.
When your baby is a year old, he or she can start eating whole milk in moderation. Keep an eye out for possible milk or lactose intolerance.
8. Fish rich in mercury
Fish is a very healthy food, as you probably know. It is rich in proteins, vitamins and minerals. Fish is also often a lighter food than meat, and is easier for the baby to handle in digestion.
However, see what kind of fish you give your baby. Some fish species snuggle up to collect mercury. Mercury is a harmful neurotoxin and can easily accumulate in a baby’s body.
9. Sugar and salt
Sugar and salty foods are harmful to young children. So these, too, are foods that should never be given to a baby.
Too much sugar at an early stage can change your child’s eating preferences in addition to keeping him awake all night.
Too much salt is also a disadvantage as it is not good for the kidneys and thus salt should be completely avoided in children under 1 year of age. From this age you can then add salt to your food, but always only in small amounts.
10. Rice-based products
If you are giving your child rice-based snacks, choose products that are made from whole grain rice, not white.
These are much more nutritious, and you will get your child used to the taste of whole grains.
With this in mind, try whole grain rice, oats (with peanut butter or fresh fruit) or quinoa.
Whenever you give your child new products, be careful that they do not cause any harm to his body.
