12 foods you should not give to your baby under 1 year of age
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of a baby's life or, failing that, infant formula. After 6 months, complementary feeding can begin, introducing a variety of foods along with breast milk or infant formula, which will continue to be the main food in the baby's diet. In this way, the baby will be prepared to join the family table after his first birthday.
In this phase of food diversification that goes from 6 months to one year, and regardless of the feeding method you choose (porridges or in pieces by Baby-Led Weaning method , BLW) there are foods that we must avoid to take care of the health and safety of our baby. Here we tell you what they are and why!
1. Large fish
It is best to avoid large fish such as bluefin tuna, swordfish, shark (mako shark, dogfish, blue shark) and pike, as they may have high levels of mercury. This heavy metal is harmful to young children.
The Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition also advises against the consumption of butterfish as it may cause possible gastrointestinal disorders.
2. Seafood
The presence of cadmium (a toxic metal for the organism) in certain seafood or in specific parts of it leads the AECOSAN (Spanish Agency of Consumption, Food Safety and Nutrition) to recommend not to consume them in childhood.
Do not offer: shrimp heads, prawns and crayfish, spider crab, crab.
There are seafood options that are safe and can be introduced from 6 months of age: mussels, clams, cockles, squid, cuttlefish, octopus, etc.
3. Meat from animals hunted with lead
Lead found in animals hunted with this ammunition is harmful to an infant's neurological development. For safety, these meats should not be offered until after the age of 7.
4. Vegetables rich in nitrates
Spinach, chard, beets and borage have high levels of nitrates and can be dangerous if consumed in excess.
- Spinach and chard: do not exceed 35 g/day between 6-12 months. Offer up to 45 g/day between 1-3 years.
- Borage: avoid until 3 years of age.
5. Dairy
Skimmed dairy products are not recommended for infants, as they need healthy fats to grow.
Whole cow's milk should not be offered before the first year, as it is low in iron and high in protein.
However, whole yogurt and soft cheese can be introduced in small amounts at around 9-10 months.
6. Rice derivatives
Rice drinks and rice cakes contain arsenic, so it is best to avoid them in the baby's diet.
7. Seaweed
Seaweed, especially dried seaweed, is high in iodine, which can be harmful to young children.
8. Infusions
Linden, chamomile, lemon balm and other herbal teas have traditionally been used to soothe babies, alleviate certain discomforts such as gas or calm insomnia. However, medical and nutritionist recommendations currently advise against this practice for several reasons: they do not provide any significant nutritional value for babies, risk of displacing the consumption of breast milk (or formula in its absence), risk of botulism, etc.
9. Honey
Honey is a definite no for children under 1 year of age, as it can cause botulism. In addition, the high sugar content is also not recommended.
10. Salt
The baby's renal system is not ready to process salt. It is best to wait until the first year to add a pinch of iodized salt to their diet, but always in small amounts.
Nutritionally, it is also discouraged because it can alter the infant's food preferences by masking the natural flavor of foods.11. Sugar and processed foods
It is best to avoid sugar and sugar products (cookies, juices, baby cereals). They contribute to overweight and a preference for very sweet flavors, making it difficult to introduce healthier foods.
12. Foods with risk of choking
To avoid the risk of choking and suffocation, the American Association of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Spanish Association of Pediatrics (AEP) suggest not giving foods such as:
- Sliced sausage.
- Whole nuts and large seeds. They can be offered crushed or in flour.
- Hard and rounded foods: blueberries, olives, cherry tomatoes, grapes.... (they can be grated, broken into small pieces and cut lengthwise).
- Raw carrots and apples (better cooked or grated).
- Nut butters or creams (peanut butter, hazelnut cream, etc.). They can be offered (as long as the baby is not allergic) diluted or as part of recipes.
- Candies, popcorn, jelly beans and chewing gum.
Other foods to avoid
At the beginning of complementary feeding should also be avoided:
- Whole, small foods such as chickpeas, corn kernels and peas: offer them best crushed, in flour or in preparations such as hummus.
- Hard, unripe or dried fruits, such as raisins and cranberries.
- Sausages, such as cured ham.
- Corn, rice or similar pancakes.
- Salty snacks, such as potato chips or crackers.
In summary:
Remember, breast milk or formula will be your baby's main food until 12 months. Introduce a variety of foods, but with caution, to ensure healthy growth.
Always consult your pediatrician for appropriate advice before starting complementary feeding.
