FOOD YOU SHOULD TRY TO AVOID OR LIMIT

There are certain products you should avoid during the baby’s first year because they may temporarily produce allergies and sickness or can cause choking. It is important to know your child’s family medical history of allergies and tolerances so as to know what to avoid. Products like cow’s milk , eggs, or dried fruits, crustaceans, shellfish or fish, other than white fish, ought to be avoided until 2-3 years of age. This is just a recommendation because allergies can appear at any stage of development. You should always consult your paediatrician before taking a decision on your baby’s diet.

Cow’s Milk: It is not recommended that you give cow’s milk to your baby before reaching 1 year of age because his digestive system is not fully developed and the protein contained in cow’s milk can damage his digestive system. It is also lacking Iron and Omega-3. Also, it may be worth waiting until your baby is older as cow’s milk is a potential allergenic product. That said, full-cream, sugar-free yogurt and Ricotta cheese can be offered from 8 months of age without problems.

Soy Milk: due to soy milk’s possible allergenic properties, it is not recommended to take before 1 year of age.

Honey: This product is not recommended at all due to the possible risk of infant Botulism. It is not dangerous, however, in most baby foods that contain cereals with honey because this honey has been treated at high temperatures in order to destroy spores that provoke this illness.

Chocolate: it is not recommended to incorporate this product into your baby’s diet until 1 year of age.

Wild Berries: Strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and cranberries can produce allergies before 1 year of age.

Dried Fruits: Nuts, almonds, hazelnuts and peanuts, should be avoided before 1 year of age as they can produce allergies and can also increase the risk of choking.

Chard, spinach and beetroot: are not recommended in purées before 1 year of age due to their high concentration of nitrates. If you do use them, use in small quantities. Nitrates, on their own, are not dangerous, however, they are converted into nitrites in the body and can produce “Blue Baby Syndrome”.

Products that cause choking: We should be careful not to use product that may increase the risk of choking in our infants. For example; whole grapes, cherries, nuts, hazelnuts, popcorn, olives and large chunks of food are not recommended.

Salt: In small quantities salt can be used, however, in excess, it is harmful to your baby’s kidneys.

Sugar: Try to avoid sugars because of their high caloric content.

Raw food: Meringues, made with raw egg and cheese, made with unpasteurised milk should be avoided due to toxins.