9 foodstoavoid
L&L | SEPTEMBER 2019 | 43HONEY
Babies younger than 12 months
old shouldn’t be given honey,
because it can contain spores of
a bacterium called clostridium
botulinum. This can infect a baby’s
immature digestive system and
cause infant botulism − a form of
food poisoning that can be fatal and
requires emergency medical care.
GRAPES
Grapes are choking hazards for
all children. In fact, whole grapes
are the third most common
cause of death among children
who die in food-related choking
incidents. However, seedless
grapes can still be offered if
cut into small pieces. If you do
give your little one grapes to
eat, you must watch him the
whole time and he must sit
still when eating – often, the
distraction of something far
more interesting than eating or
chewing is why choking occurs.
CHOCOLATES
Chocolates are high in sugar
and do not contribute to
growth and development. They
should be avoided at all cost
during your baby’s first year.
RAW CARROTS
Raw carrots shouldn’t be given
to babies younger than 12
months and are a major choking
hazard. Only give them to older
children who don’t gag easily
and who can tolerate other raw
foods like pieces of raw apple.
POPCORN
Only give popcorn to your baby after
his first birthday. “However, each
case needs to be assessed by the
parent. Children who tolerate raw
foods like apple would probably be
able to chew and swallow popcorn,”
says Cath. It’s important to watch
your baby very carefully when he
tries any new foods for the first time.HOT DOGS
White bread and white
rolls are sources of refined
carbohydrates that should
only be offered on occasion. A
better option would be to offer
a wholewheat or brown roll.
Viennas are also high in salt,
so are not recommended before
your little one’s first birthday.CRISPS
These snacks are high in salt
and contain no nutrients
that are useful for growth
and development.NUTS AND PEANUTS
Whole and chopped nuts and
peanuts are choking hazards
and should only be offered
when your little one is over a
year old. Again, these foods
need to be offered when a
parent is watching and certainly
not when he is on the move.
“Babies who are at high risk
of developing a peanut or nut
allergy, based on family history,
can be introduced to peanut/
nut-containing foods between
four and six months of age as
this may reduce the risk for
developing an allergy. This should
be done in consultation with your
paediatrician as he may want
to do controlled allergy tests
first,” says Cath. “Peanut butter
can be very stodgy, so it’s
best to mix it with a little
plain yoghurt so it’s easier to
swallow,” advises Cath.
If your baby has mild or
moderate eczema, peanut foods
can be introduced after solids, at
around six months of age. Again,
it’s best to consult your doctor.COW’S MILK
While cow’s milk can be introduced between six to seven
months in small amounts (a teaspoon at a time), it should
never be used as a replacement for breast milk. “Continued
breastfeeding after six months protects against allergic reactions
when solid foods are introduced in small amounts.
Cow’s milk is a poor iron source and provides excess protein,
fat and energy when used in large amounts, and should never be
offered as a main drink before 12 months of age,” stresses Cath. »baby & toddler