Forbidden Baby Foods – Foods for Babies to Avoid During the First Year

Are any foods off limits for babies to eat?

When you begin to think about introducing solid foods to your baby, there are a few foods that you may want to learn about. These foods may not be suitable for babies to eat until they are a particular age. In the past, it was said that delaying the introduction of certain allergenic foods would help stop an allergy from occurring.

Eggs for example were not to be introduced until a baby was 12 months or even 24 months old. As research continues into food allergies, recommendations for introducing allergenic foods to babies will change. The recommendations below are up to date for Fall 2018. As always, talk to your baby’s pediatrician about beginning solid foods especially if there is a history of food allergies in your family.

HONEY: After 12 Months
Honey may cause botulism in babies under the age of 12 months.

EGGS: 6 Months
6 months is now the recommended age to begin introducing eggs.

SALT & SUGAR:  NEVER
Try to stay away from adding salt and refined sugar to foods – forever if possible.

STRAWBERRIES: 6 -12 Months
Strawberries (raspberries too) may cause skin rashes but are rarely life threatening.

SOFT CHEESES: After 12 Months
Soft cheeses such as brie may carry a bacteria called listeria.

RAW FISH/SHELLFISH/CRUSTACEANS: – consult your pediatrician

PEANUT BUTTER/PEANUTS: 6 Months
6 months is now the recommended age to begin introducing peanuts.

WHEAT: 6 Months
6 months is now the recommended age to begin introducing wheat.

WHOLE MILK: After 12 Months
Milk as a DRINK should not be offered until after 12 months . Yogurt at 6 months.