Foods Babies Should Avoid

As a parent, your baby's health is paramount. Making sure your baby eats the proper foods is key to your baby's healthy life and proper growth. But it's also important to know what foods to avoid. Common foods such as milk, nuts and fish all have their risks and need to be avoided if possible.

Fish

• Fish is normally a good source of protein and is okay for babies when they reach the age of 1 year. For babies under the age of 1 year, parents and caregivers should be careful in choosing fish. Some white fish, including cod and haddock, commonly found in the grocery store fish department, usually are safe. But larger, predatory fish like swordfish, shark and tuna may contain high levels of mercury, posing a health threat. Parents should consult a doctor to learn about which fish may cause a health risk to their baby.

Cow's Milk

• Children under 1 year of age should use formula or be breast fed. Both of these food sources provide the baby valuable nutrients. Conversely, drinking cow's milk is risky, because babies can't bread down the protein in cow's milk, and the milk's minerals may damage a newborn's kidneys.

Wheat

• It is best to introduce wheat products after the baby is 1 year old. If a parent provides too much wheat to a baby early on, the baby may develop an intolerance to the gluten properties in wheat. This intolerance, called celiac disease is a digestive disease that damages the small intestine. Constant diarrhea is one sign that your baby may be gluten intolerant. Other warning signs include lack of weight gain or a bloated stomach.

Nuts

• Parents should avoid giving babies various nuts during his first year. Nuts to avoid include peanuts and almonds as they can cause allergies. Small nuts like peanuts also could become a choking hazard.