5 foods you should not give your baby
Starting your baby's complementary feeding from 6 months is a very important moment. As a mother, you face many doubts that you hadn't had before, because until now your baby had been fed exclusively on breast milk or formula. And the little one begins to discover a new world of flavors and textures previously unknown to them.
It is important to introduce foods gradually and always follow the recommendations of our reference pediatrician, who will be the one to help us in this learning process. Remember that until one year of age, the baby's main food will be milk. This will keep them fed and well-nourished, so you shouldn't worry if at first they only “play” with the food or eat very little. They are discovering, and this is a slow process that we must accompany with lots of love!
The baby can eat practically everything. You just need to be careful with some foods that are not recommended before one year.
Honey
Although it is a natural food that we might think is harmless for little ones, it is not. We must avoid it until at least one year of age (though it is recommended up to 3 years) for two reasons. On one hand, its composition is very similar to white sugar, which promotes the appearance of cavities. On the other hand, it can contain dangerous bacteria for the digestive system and cause botulism, a rare but potentially dangerous disease.
Nuts
This type of food is potentially dangerous for babies, and even for children up to 3-5 years old, due to the risk of choking. They should never be given whole. Also, if for some reason a trace of nut got into the lung, it would be much harder to dissolve than a piece of bread or any other food, which could cause an infection.
Additionally, it is a food that can cause allergic reactions, especially if there is a family history.
Large fish
Tuna, swordfish, dogfish… These are large fish that have a high mercury content, so they are excluded from the baby's diet at an early age. From 3 years old you can start introducing these types of foods.
Spinach and chard
These two foods have a high nitrate content, so they are not recommended for children under 1 year. Between 1 and 3 years old, we can start introducing these foods, but without exceeding one serving per week.
Undercooked eggs
This food is somewhat controversial. Currently, egg introduction is advised from 6 months of age, although theories have varied over the years. Always follow the pediatrician's instructions and when you want to introduce this food, make sure it is well cooked and not raw. A well-cooked omelet should not pose a greater risk.
And of course, sugar and salt. Avoid giving your child foods with sugar; as you know, it is not good for children or adults, and if you exclude it from your children's diet, you won't accustom their palate to sweet flavors. This is a matter of eating habits that will not only make a healthy baby but also a healthy adult. It is also important to cook without salt. The less, the better.