Hi mummies, just to share some info from the Enfa website.
Foods for Your Baby to Avoid
Babies have different nutritional needs than grown-ups do.
It might surprise you to know that doctors advise against giving cow's milk to babies until they reach 12 months of age. There is simply too much protein and too much sodium for your infant's developing kidneys. Cow's milk provides little of the iron or vitamin C your baby needs to grow.
Doctors also advise against giving a 12-month-old low-fat milk. That's because babies need fat to support their rapid weight gain.
Feeding your baby a lot of juice or introducing it too early is also a no-no. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that infants only be given juice after six months of age and when they can drink from a cup. Although juice seems healthy, too much can actually stop your infant from gaining weight and reaching a normal height. Set a limit of four to six ounces of 100-percent pasteurized fruit juice a day. And, of course, make sure your baby is getting plenty of water.
Since there is so much to learn when you have a baby, we thought we'd give you a quick reference for foods you'll want to avoid.
Choking Hazards
Many foods need to be finely mashed or pureed so your baby can swallow them easily. Left whole or in chunks, these foods can get stuck in your child's windpipe, thereby blocking air from getting to the lungs. Be sure to avoid giving your baby the following:
Hot dogs, unless cut into very small pieces
Whole grapes, unless cut into very small pieces
Nuts, popcorn, snack chips
Lumps of peanut butter and spreads
Pieces of hard, raw vegetables
Hard candy or chewy candies like "gummy bears"
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allergens:
Before 8-10 months, avoid:
Cheese
Egg yolks
Meat
Soy products, with the exception of soy infant formula
Yogurt
Before 10-12 months, avoid:
Beans (cooked)
Citrus fruits
Chocolate
Cow's milk
Egg whites
Fish
Strawberries
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Honey
Believe it or not, something as sweet as honey can be deadly. Honey may contain the bacteria that causes botulism. Before the age of one year, your baby's digestive system isn't developed fully to fight these bacteria.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tea
Ironically, this beverage is definitely not your baby's cup of tea. The tannins in tea inhibit iron absorption, putting your child at risk for anemia. The caffeine in tea interferes with the absorption of calcium, critical to building strong bones.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nitrates
Processed meats and even drinking water can contain a high concentration of chemical additives called nitrates. These nitrates may pose a potential health hazard to your little one. That's why it's important to avoid processed meats and to consider using bottled water if you're not certain about the safety of your drinking water.
Processed meats to avoid:
Bacon
Bologna
Ham
Hot dogs; also a choking hazard, unless cut into very small pieces
Sausage
Nitrate-contaminated drinking water
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Added Sugar or Salt in Your Baby's Diet
Your little one has different tastes than you and doesn't need any added sugar or salt to delight his tastebuds. The less flavoring you add to his diet, the more he'll learn to enjoy the natural taste of foods.