10 Foods You Shouldn’t Give To Baby
Pediatricians believe that there are some foods that you should not give your baby until he is a certain age. Some can have negative effects on your child and their delicate digestive system, and others can present a choking hazard.
In addition, an inadequate intake can favor the development of food allergies.
After breastfeeding or bottle feeding, you can gradually introduce the different foods into your little one’s meals. Therefore, as a mother, it is very important that you know what foods you should not give your baby.
10 foods you shouldn’t give your baby
1.- Honey
Children under 1 year of age should never be fed honey. It contains a harmful bacteria known as C lostridium Botulinum that can cause botulism, muscle paralysis and other serious diseases, as stated in an article published in the magazine “Lakartidningen”.
Your child’s immune system is not strong enough at this point to fight these bacteria.
2.- Nuts
Whole nuts, including peanuts, should not be given to children under 5 years of age, as they can choke on them.
As long as there is no history of food allergies or other allergies in your family, you can give your baby peanuts once they are 6 months old, as long as they are crushed or ground in peanut butter.
3.- Strawberries
Strawberries are quite tart, making them unsuitable for a baby’s delicate digestive system.
You should stop eating strawberries until your child is one year old. In addition, you should take into account if there is a history of allergies in the family.
4.- Chocolate
Chocolate is another of the foods that you should not give to the baby, since it contains caffeine, a harmful substance for children, according to an article published in the journal “Pediatrics”. This alkaloid could interfere with brain development in children, so its intake is not recommended.
It also has a lot of sugar, which should be eaten in moderation, especially by babies.
5.- Fruit juices
Fruit juice contains calories, but none of the fat, protein, calcium, vitamin D, or fiber that babies need.
Too much juice can also cause cavities, diarrhea, and other chronic stomach problems.
6.- Smoked and cured meats
Most smoked or cured meats (such as bologna and bacon) contain nitrates and other chemicals. These additives can be harmful to health in the medium and long term, if they are consumed regularly.
In addition, they contain a high content of sodium and animal fat, which is harmful for children.
7.- Cow’s milk
In no case should you give cow’s milk to your child under one year of age. Cow’s milk does not have all the nutrients (such as iron and vitamin E) that a baby needs to grow and develop during its first year, which is why breast milk is better.
After your child has passed the first year, he can consume whole cow’s milk in moderation. You should pay attention to possible intolerances.
8.- Fish high in mercury
Fish is very healthy. It is rich in proteins, vitamins and minerals. It is generally softer than meat and therefore easier for the baby to consume.
However, it is important to do research on the particular type of fish that parents want to give their child, because not all of them retain as much mercury in their systems.
Be aware that mercury is a dangerous neurotoxin and can easily build up in your baby’s body.
To avoid taking risks, try to offer your child small fish. These usually contain smaller amounts of heavy metals in their composition.
9.- Sugar and salt
Sugar and sugary sweets are harmful to your baby, which is why they are also considered foods that you should not give your baby during their first months of life.
They can disrupt your little one’s development of taste fundamentals and keep them up all night.
Also, children should not eat a lot of salt. This is not good for your kidneys, so it is advisable not to include it in the diet of children under one year of age. From the year it can be included, in small quantities.
10.- Rice cereal
If you choose to give your child rice cereal, choose brown options over white, as they are more nutritious and will get your baby used to the taste of whole grains.
We recommend that you try brown rice, oatmeal (with peanut butter or fresh fruit), or quinoa.
There are certain foods that you should avoid giving your baby
When you introduce new foods in your baby’s diet, you must make sure that they do not have side effects that could affect him in a negative way.
Remember that within the spectrum of products that you can consume, it is advisable to offer the baby the most varied diet possible. This will help you get used to the different flavors and textures of food.
