Infants approach everything with a sense of wonder and exploration, and this includes the foods we eat. In fact, an infant showing interest in your food is one of the signs that she is ready to start eating solids, according to MedlinePlus, a service of the National Institutes of Health. This usually happens around 6 months of age, when your baby has doubled her birth weight. There are some foods you'll want to avoid feeding her until your infant is over the age of one.
Potential Allergens
The Macomb County Health Department Nutrition Services suggests that babies under the age of 1 avoid certain foods so they do not develop food allergies. Among those foods are egg whites, peanuts and peanut butter, citrus fruits and juices, strawberries, chocolate and cow's milk. Once your baby is eating solids, you should introduce him to one new food every couple of days. If he develops hives or a rash after trying a new food, discontinue use and discuss the possibility of a food allergy with your pediatrician.
Choking Hazards
Infants who are transitioning to solid foods are literally learning how to chew and swallow their food, which is why they start with smoothly pureed foods. After your baby develops her eating skills, there are still foods you'll want to avoid giving her because they can still pose a potential choking hazard because of their shape, weight or texture. According to MedlinePlus, some of these foods are "popcorn, nuts, potato chips, whole kernel corn, berries, grapes, hot dogs, raw vegetables, raisins, and dry flake cereals."
Sweets
There are a few reasons you want to avoid feeding sweets to your baby, according to the Ohio State University Extension. Honey and corn syrups should be avoided because they can contain botulism spores, which can be deadly to infants. Puddings, ice cream and other dessert or snack-type sweets provide calories with little to no nutrient value and may lead to obesity. Even reduced calorie or artificially sweetened foods should be avoided since their ingredients can cause diarrhea in babies under the age of 1.
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