10 Foods You Should Never Give To A Baby

According to pediatricians, there are foods you should never give to a baby. Some may have a negative effect on the baby and its fragile digestive system, while others pose a risk of suffocation.

At the same time, there are other foods that should be avoided as the child gets older, as they increase the risk of food allergies. Whether you are breastfeeding or using bottle feeding , you will sooner or later need to introduce other foods into your baby’s diet.

As a parent, it is therefore important to be aware of what foods you should never give to a baby.

1. Honey

Children under one year should never eat honey. It can contain harmful bacteria called Clostridium botulinum which can cause botulism. This in turn can lead to muscle paralysis and other serious symptoms.

Your child’s immune system is not strong enough to fight these dangerous bacteria.

2. Nuts

Whole nuts are something you should never give to a baby because they pose a risk of suffocation. In fact, you should not give whole nuts to any child under the age of five.

As long as there is no family history of nut allergies, you can give your baby peanuts in the form of peanut butter as soon as they are six months old.

3. Strawberries

Strawberries are quite sour, which makes them unsuitable for a baby’s delicate digestive system.

Stay away from strawberries until the baby is one year old. Also make sure you are aware of any allergies in the family.

4. Chocolate

Chocolate is something you should never give a baby. It contains caffeine, which is harmful to little ones. Chocolate also contains a lot of sugar, which should be kept to a minimum, especially for babies.

5. Fruit juice

Fruit juices contain calories, but none of the fat, protein, calcium, vitamin D or fiber that babies need. Too much fruit juice can lead to caries, diarrhea and other stomach problems.

Smoked and processed meat

The majority of smoked or processed meats (such as ham and bacon) contain nitrates and other harmful chemicals. They are also rich in sodium and animal fat, which can harm the little ones.

7. Cow’s milk

Do not give your baby cow’s milk until it is one year old. Cow’s milk does not contain all the nutrients (such as iron and vitamin E) that your baby needs to grow and develop during the first year.

Therefore, breast milk or breast milk substitute is best for your baby. When the baby is one year old , he can drink standard milk, as long as it is in moderation. Keep an eye open for any lactose intolerance.

8. Fish with a high mercury content

Fish is very useful. It is rich in protein, vitamins and minerals, and is also easier to digest for babies than meat.

But keep track of the type of fish you give to your baby. Some species have a tendency to accumulate mercury in their bodies.

Keep in mind that mercury is a toxic neurotoxin, and can easily accumulate in your baby’s body.

9. Sugar and salt

Sweet and salty foods are harmful to young children. Too much sugar at a young age can affect your child’s food preferences, in addition to keeping it awake at night.

Too much salt is also harmful. Excessive levels are not good for the kidneys and should be avoided completely under one year of age. From then on, you can start introducing salt into your food, but always in small amounts.

10. Rice-based cereals

If you give your child rice-based cereals or snacks, look for other alternatives that are made on brown rice instead of white.

They are much more nutritious and accustom your child to the taste of whole grains. Try whole grain rice, oatmeal (with peanut butter or fresh fruit) or quinoa.

When introducing new foods to your child’s diet , always be careful not to damage them.