Foods that are good but require caution when feeding them to babies.
These foods will be harmful to children simply because parents don't know how to feed them appropriately for their age.
As your child grows, they will become curious and eager to try the foods you and your spouse are eating, and you will want to enrich their diet to match your own. However, not all foods are safe for your baby.
Foods that are good but are not given at the right age can have negative effects on a baby's still-developing digestive system and be harmful to the child.
Below is a list of foods you should avoid giving your child, categorized by age.
Foods to avoid for babies aged 4 to 6 months.
All foods and drinks except breast milk or formula for infants during the first 6 months.
Foods to avoid for babies aged 4-12 months
Honey
Honey may contain Clostridium botulinum toxin – a type of spore that can cause poisoning. A fully developed adult digestive system can prevent the growth of these spores. But for a child's developing digestive system, these spores can grow and produce life-threatening toxins.
Cow's milk and soy milk
Although very similar to breast milk and formula, these two types of milk are only truly suitable after a baby's first birthday. This is because your baby cannot yet digest the protein in cow's milk and soy milk during their first year. In fact, these two types of milk do not contain all the nutrients a baby needs in their first year and also contain minerals that can damage a baby's kidneys.
Foods to avoid for babies aged 12-24 months
Low-fat milk
At this age, most toddlers need the fat and energy of whole milk to support their growth and development. However, if your child is at risk of obesity or heart disease, your doctor may recommend low-fat milk before age 2.
Risk of choking on food.
Although children at this age can eat a wider variety of foods, they can still choke if not supervised. Mothers should still avoid the dangers listed below and refrain from feeding their children while walking, watching TV, or doing anything else that might distract them from their meal.
Other dangers to be aware of to prevent your baby from choking or suffocating on food:
- Foods larger than a pea can also cause choking in babies. Vegetables like carrots, celery, and green beans should be chopped or minced before cooking.
You should also cut fruits like grapes, tomatoes, and watermelon into small, pea-sized pieces before feeding them to your baby. Similarly, meat and cheese should also be cut into very small pieces.
- Small but hard foods like candy, popcorn, or nuts can be potential choking hazards for babies. Nuts may be too small to cause choking, but they can get stuck in a baby's airway and cause infection.
- Soft but sticky foods like gummy candies and jelly can also make it difficult for babies to swallow or can get stuck in their throats.
Previously, doctors often advised mothers not to introduce solid foods to their children before the age of one, or even later, because these foods contain the most common allergens, especially for allergy-sensitive children. However, recent research from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has shown that introducing these foods later does not help prevent allergies any better.
For toddlers, you should provide as much food variety in their meals as possible unless they have allergies to certain foods. If your child has food allergies, consult your doctor for advice on the best way to prepare and incorporate top-nutritious foods such as eggs, milk, peanuts, soy, nuts, fish, and seafood into their daily diet.
According to Tri Thuc Tre - PC
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