Topic: Nutrition

What foods should my baby avoid?

Before your baby turns 1, there are some foods you should avoid giving him or her. Some foods should be avoided because they could cause sickness or safety concerns, while other foods should be avoided because they are unhealthy.

Foods to avoid include:

  • Cow’s milk: Drinking cow’s milk before age 1 may put your baby at risk for intestinal bleeding. Instead of cow’s milk use breast milk or infant formula before age 1.
  • Alternative milks: Alternative milks like soy milk, almond milk, rice milk, oat milk, etc. should not substitute breast milk or formula in the first year.
  • Honey: Honey (even as an ingredient) may cause a serious health problem called botulism. Your child can start to try honey and foods that contain honey only after he or she is 1-year-old.
  • Sugary drinks: Sugary drinks like fruit juice (even 100% juice), soda, tea/coffee or horchata encourage babies to crave sugary foods and can cause cavities, even before your baby has all of his or her teeth.
  • Salty foods: Foods that are high in salt, also known as sodium, should be avoided because babies’ kidneys can’t handle too much salt. Check food labels to find foods low in sodium.
  • Choking hazards: Small, hard foods pose high risks of choking. Common foods that are most risky include nuts, popcorn, hot dogs and whole grapes. As a tip, you can cut grapes into small pieces and then serve them to your baby. And just remember, anything can be a choking hazard so be sure to watch your baby carefully as he or she eats.

By knowing the foods to avoid, you can keep your baby healthy and safe!

And remember, talk to your child’s pediatrician or health care provider about any questions or concerns.

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What should your baby eat in the first year?

When your baby is 6-12 months old, it is important to start getting him or her onboard with a variety of healthy foods, including:

  • Different food groups. Introduce your baby to a variety of foods including fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy and proteins.
  • Different colors. Encourage your baby to eat bright colored foods like green broccoli, orange sweet potato, yellow banana, red strawberries, black beans, and more!
  • Different textures. Between ages 6-12 months your baby will be ready to try different food textures including smooth, chunky and soft finger foods.

But remember, your baby is still learning how to chew and swallow so be sure to watch your baby closely when he or she eats because anything could be a chocking hazard, especially foods that are small and/or hard. As a tip, you can soften foods by cooking them or pureeing them into a smoother texture.

By introducing a variety of nutritious foods now you are teaching your baby healthy eating habits that can last a lifetime. So have fun with it. You’ve got this!

And remember, talk to your child’s pediatrician or health care provider about any questions or concerns.

To learn more, check out these additional resources related to this topic:

Frequently Asked Questions

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Is your baby ready to start eating foods?

How do you know if your baby is ready for foods other than breast milk or infant formula? Every baby is different – but you can look for these signs to tell that your baby is developmentally ready to start trying foods:

  • Your baby has good head control. Your baby can keep his or her head in a steady, upright position.
  • Your baby can sit up with little or no support. Your baby needs to be able to sit upright in a highchair to swallow well.
  • Your baby is able to grab objects. Your baby uses his or her hands to grab and hold onto objects, like a spoon.
  • Your baby shows interest in what others are eating. Your baby opens his or her mouth and leans forward when food is offered.
  • Your baby is about 6 months old. At around 6 months of age your baby’s gut has developed to digest foods other than breast milk or formula.

If your baby can do ALL of these things then he or she is ready to try first foods.

Breast milk and/or formula will remain a key source of nutrition for your baby throughout his or her first year. But by introducing a variety of nutritious foods beginning around 6 months you can teach your baby healthy eating habits that can last a lifetime. So have fun with it. You’ve got this!

And remember, talk to your child’s pediatrician or health care provider about any questions or concerns.

To learn more, check out these additional resources related to this topic:

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn More

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