Salt: is bad for babies, their kidneys are not mature enough to deal with it. Babies up to 1yr should have no more than 1g (0.4g sodium) per day. Watch out!!! for cheeses, bread, sausages, ham, bacon, yeast extract, brine, soy sauce, smoked meats, processed foods. A general shopping guide for mums/dads: A food high in salt = more than 1.5g (0.6g sodium) A food Low in salt = less than 0.3g per 100g.
Sugar: are empty calories, have no nutritional value. Contributed to tooth decay. To sweeten things up like yogurt try dried fruit, lemon, cinnamon.
Some Fish: shark, swordfish and Marlin should be avoided, contains high levels of mecury which can affect a babies development of the nervous system. Raw fish has a high risk of food poisoning, safe if they are cooked. Oil fish (salmon, tour, mackerel, herring, sardines and fresh tuna is very nutritious, girls and women of childbearing age shouldn’t eat it more than twice a wk because of possible pollutants) boys,men and older women X a have up to 4 servings per wk). Canned tuna doesn’t contain toxins ie tuna light or other oily fish, can be eaten more often.
Additives: monosodium glutamate and e-numbers which are artificial preservatives, flavours and sweeteners should be avoided as much as possible, no nutritional value and can be harmful for babies and kids – linked to hyperactivity in children.
Honey: avoid until your baby is over 1. Can cause botulism.
Uncooked eggs: often salmonella which can make baby sick. Cooking destroys the bug. Cooked eggs (the whole egg) can form part of your baby’s diet over 6months+. Do note: if you live in the UK you can offer runny eggs from 6months+ ONLY if you buy the eggs that are “LOIN STAMPED”, these are protected eggs with no salmonella.
Hydrogenated fats: avoid trans-fatty acids interfere with healthy fats, found in many processed foods. Most healthy foods don’t have them.
Juice, sugar or sugar-free soft drinks: babies should drink breastmilk (or formula) and water (from 6mo+) for the first year of life. Try to avoid introducing juice or sugar-sweetened beverages during the first year.
Avoid choking hazards: see choking hazards FAQ below.
A few tips to take away: always sit with your baby or watch your child when they are eating. Discourage your child from walking, talking, watching television, lying down, or doing anything else while eating that might distract him/her from his meal.
(Ref: AAP recommendations, NHS, Gill Rapley, Baby Led Weaning, U.K. Department of Health)
