Foods Not to Feed a Baby Under 1 Year

Parents want to make sure they are doing their best to give their babies adequate nutrition. However, parents need to know that there are certain foods that cannot be eaten until a child is a certain age. Pediatricians recommend that babies under the age of one year avoid certain foods so they do not develop food allergies. Certain foods can also present the possibility of contracting food poisoning, which could be fatal to small children.

  1. Dairy Products

    • Dairy products that can be harmful to babies under a year old include skim or low fat milk, rice milk, soy milk and raw milk. These products can cause allergic reactions, including stomach upset; raw milk can also cause severe food poisoning. Babies under a year old should always be fed breast milk or formula only.

    Acidic Foods and Juices

    • Acidic foods and juices, including fruits, tomatoes and orange juice, can cause allergic reactions including stomach upset and rash. The acidity in these foods is not digested well in children this young and may cause severe diarrhea and diaper rash. Diarrhea in turn can cause dehydration, which can become severe if not monitored.

    Eggs

    • Egg whites are another food not good for babies under a year old. Egg whites contain four proteins -- ovomucoid, ovalbumin, ovotransferrin and lysozyme -- that can potentially range from mildly to highly allergenic. Symptoms of an egg white allergy in babies include runny nose, itchy eyes, a skin rash and, in severe cases, anaphylaxis. Once a child has reached a year old, it it usually safe to feed him eggs, but parents should always check with their pediatrician first.

    Peanuts

    • Peanut allergies are common in both adults and children, so it is highly recommended that babies under a year of age never be fed peanuts in any form, whether whole or in peanut butter. A peanut allergy can cause hives, itching in the mouth and even the constriction of airways. Babies this age also are not able to chew whole foods such as peanuts, and this could also lead to choking.

    Honey

    • Raw honey can cause a potentially serious problem in babies less than 12 months old, as it can sometimes contain the spores of the Clostridium botulinum bacteria, also known as botulism. A baby infected with botulism will have symptoms such as constipation, lethargy and loss of appetite; if severe enough, botulism can even cause death. While cases of this are rare, parents are advised to keep from feeding honey to babies until they are over a year old.

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