Foods to Avoid in the First Year
As parents, it is our responsibility to provide a nutritious diet and safe foods, especially during the first year. When introducing solid foods, please be aware that certain foods that may pose potential risks to your baby's health and well-being.
In this updated article, we will explore the latest evidence-based recommendations about feeding your baby in their first🥇year. By staying informed and following these guidelines, you can significantly minimize potential health concerns during the first year. 🙌🏻
🍯 Honey (All forms: cooked, pasteurized, unpasteurized, raw)
While honey is a delightful and nutritious sweetener, it must be strictly avoided for infants under 12 months. Honey may contain spores of a toxic bacteria called Clostridium botulinum, which may cause infant botulism. Therefore, it is recommended to wait until your baby reaches their first birthday before introducing honey into the diet.
Please be aware that all forms of honey must be avoided - cooked, pasteurized, unpasteurized, and raw. It is important to read the ingredient list on processed or packaged food items to identify if it contains honey. Sliced bread, baked goods, and store-bought cereals are some examples of packaged items that usually contain honey.
🥛 Cow’s Milk as a Beverage
The only beverages that are appropriate for babies to drink are breastmilk and infant formula. While babies can have cow’s milk in the form of yogurt and cheese, it is not a suitable beverage due to its low iron status and high levels of protein and minerals. The disproportionate amount of nutrition is too much work for baby’s immature kidneys. Additionally, filling up cow’s milk may displace the fluid volume and proper nutrition they actually need from breastmilk or formula.
🥓 Raw, Unpasteurized Dairy and Deli Meats
Foods made with raw unpasteurized milk and deli meats are unsafe for babies because of the possible risk of bacteria contamination. Raw milk may contain E. coli, salmonella, campylobacter, and listeria. Cured meats such as deli meats also contain high amounts of sodium and nitrates so it’s best practice to avoid offering to babies under 12 months.
🥚Undercooked (Runny) Eggs
Eggs may contain the bacteria salmonella, posing a higher risk for babies under 12 months. Therefore, eggs must be cooked fully to an internal temperature of 160 degrees F before serving them to babies. Undercooked, runny eggs are not fully cooked and therefore, have a higher risk of causing illness. Please note: in at least two countries, you can buy a specific type of salmonella-free eggs: Safest Choice in the US and Red Lion Stamp in the UK.
🍬 Artificial Sweeteners
Artificial sweeteners, such as saccharin, aspartame, sucralose, and others, are not recommended for infants. These substances are unnecessary in their diet and may have potential adverse effects. It is best to focus on naturally sweet foods like fruit and avoid using artificial sweeteners.
☕️ Caffeine
Babies have a limited ability to metabolize caffeine and its consumption should be avoided during their first year. Caffeine can affect sleep patterns, cause irritability, and may even have more severe effects in sensitive babies. As a general guideline, it's best to keep your baby's diet free from caffeine-containing beverages and foods.
🧃Fruit Juices
While fruits are an essential part of a healthy diet, fruit juices should be introduced with caution. The American Academy of Pediatrics advises against offering fruit juice to infants younger than 12 months, and the NHS in the UK recommends avoiding fruit juices until age 5. Fruit juices are stripped of its fiber, may contain added sugar, and taste overly sweet making it a poor choice compared to fresh fruit. Additionally, alternative beverages may displace the fluid volume and proper nutrition they actually need from breastmilk or formula.
🐟 High Mercury Fish
Fish that contain high mercury levels should be avoided or severely limited during the baby’s first year. High amounts of mercury are dangerous because it can cause harm to the nervous system. Examples of fish with high mercury levels include fresh and bluefin tuna, white albacore and yellowfin tuna, shark, swordfish, escolar, marlin, and orange roughy. Instead, opt for fish with low mercury profiles such as salmon, sardines, and cod, which also provide essential omega-3 fatty acids.
⚠️Choking Hazards⚠️
Choking hazard number 1 – hard ⭕️ round-shaped foods. This type of food can lodge in a baby's throat very easily. Foods like popcorn, baby carrots, candy, hot dogs, whole grapes, and whole nuts should be avoided.
Choking hazard number 2 – hard fruit 🍎 and vegetables🥕 that babies with teeth can bite off but cannot chew. Raw apples or raw carrots are good examples. In fact, a recent research study showed that the most common food BLW (Baby Led Weaning) babies were choking on was raw apples. I recommend either cooking hard fruit and vegetables to soften them or grating them before serving them to the baby.
Choking hazard number 3 – sticky foods like nut butter. Sticky foods like peanut butter and other types of nut butter should never be fed to babies off a spoon. Instead, mix them into purees or cereals or spread them thinly on toast.
🧂Salt and 🍭Sugar
High amounts of sodium require high amounts of kidney filtration, which is too taxing on a baby’s immature kidneys. Avoid salting the baby’s food when possible. If the baby is sharing the family meal, be conscious of keeping the salt content on the lower side.‼️Be aware that condiments, sauces, canned foods, olives, dressings, hard cheese, cured meats, and soup stock usually have high amounts of salt.
👌🏽 A small amount of salt (under 1 gram a day) is safe for babies, but more than that is not beneficial for long term health goals. If you are sharing family meals with your baby, they may be getting some table salt, so keep it as low as you can by adding less salt to the food you prepare and avoiding serving high-sodium foods frequently.
Regarding sugar, it’s best practice to 🙅🏻♀️ avoid offering foods with added sugar to allow small children get enough nutrition from solids. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends avoiding added sugar for children under 2 while the UK recommends avoiding added sugar until age 4, a much stricter guideline.
Completely avoiding added salt and sugar is unrealistic. Be aware of how much you are offering and aim to explore salt-free seasonings (dried or fresh herbs) and fresh fruits to sweeten up a dish.
👉🏼 SUMMARY
As you embark on this exciting solids journey, please be aware that certain foods may pose potential risks during the first year. If you find yourself questioning a particular food, lean into your gut feeling and consult your pediatrician or registered dietitian. With careful attention and consideration, you can ensure that your little one enjoys a healthy and enjoyable eating experience.
Remember, the health and safety of your baby are of utmost importance. Stay informed, make informed food choices, and enjoy this special time of nourishing your little one's growing body 💪🏻 and mind 🧠.
Until next time,
Easy Bites
American Academy of Pediatrics. (2017). Fruit juice in infants, children, and adolescents: current recommendations. Pediatrics, 139(6), e20170967.
Public Health England. (2017). Infant feeding guide. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/infant-feeding-guide
Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition. (2018). Feeding in the first year of life. Retrieved from https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/725530/SACN_report_on_Feeding_in_the_First_Year_of_Life.pdf
D'Auria, E., Bergamini, M., Staiano, A., et al. (2018). Baby-led weaning: what a systematic review of the literature adds on. Italian Journal of Pediatrics, 44(1), 49. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13052-018-0487-8
*Disclaimer :
The information provided in this blog article is intended for general educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice or guidance. Every child is unique, and it is important to consult with your pediatrician or a registered dietician before making any decisions regarding the introduction of solid foods. The recommendations and guidelines mentioned in this article may vary based on individual circumstances and should be tailored to your baby's specific needs. The author and the website are not liable for any errors, omissions, or any actions taken based on the information provided in this article.
