Foods You Should Avoid Giving Your Baby
A handy list of everything you should avoid feeding your baby and for how long:
- Honey should not be given to children under 12 months due to high amount of simple sugars and spores of potential bacteria (clostridium botulinum). Children under one can suffers from constipation, changes in appetite, lethargy, and even changes in sucking, resulting in dehydration and pneumonia.
- Tea contains tannin which has a strong drying effect on the body's liquid stores and therefore reduces iron-absorption
- Nuts should not be given to infants due to the risk of inhaling and possible allergy. Nut pastes are a better form of introducing nuts. These can be given safely; however, avoid introducing peanuts in the first year, and first three if there is a family history of allergy.
- Small, hard foods should be avoided as they pose a risk of choking, eg. nuts, seeds, popcorn, whole grapes and whole beans
- Spinach, which contains oxalic acid, may also pose to be a problem until later in the first year.
- Wholegrain products are not suitable for babies due to the seeds, although light wholemeal bread is fine.
- Soy, cows' milk, goats' milk, almond milk or oat milk are not suitable formula substitutes, although it can be used for cooking or small drinks from ten months. Alternative fluids as drinks are fine after the first year.
- Low-fat or fat-reduced products are not suitable for children under two years as they do not provide enough energy for a growing child.
- Beverages containing caffeine, eg. tea, coffee and colas aren’t good for the health of your child.
- Sugar and salt should not be added to food for children; this includes breakfast cereals, porridge, and baked goods. Read labels to check for these additives.
- Fruit juices are not recommended (unless well-diluted) as they pose a risk of tooth decay and diarrhea (especially apple juice).
- Fizzy drinks or soft drinks contain a lot of sugar and some contain artificial sweeteners; none provides any nutritional benefit.
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The information published herein is intended and strictly only for informational, educational, purposes and the same shall not be misconstrued as medical advice. If you are worried about your own health, or your child’s well being, seek immediate medical advice. You should never delay seeking medical advice, disregard medical advice, or discontinue medical treatment because of information on this website. Kimberly-Clark and/ or its subsidiaries assumes no liability for the interpretation and/or use of the information contained in this article. Further, while due care and caution has been taken to ensure that the content here is free from mistakes or omissions, Kimberly-Clark and/ or its subsidiaries makes no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information here, and to the extent permitted by law, Kimberly-Clark and/ or its subsidiaries do not accept any liability or responsibility for claims, errors or omissions.
