When you’re introducing your baby to solid foods, there are some foods you should avoid.
This is because they are unsafe or not suitable for babies.
Salt
Do not add any salt to your baby’s food or cooking water.
Avoid foods that contain a lot of salt, such as:
- gravy
- packet soups
- stock cubes
- crisps
- bacon, sausages, ham
- smoked meats
Babies should not eat salty foods as it is not good for their kidneys.
Processed meats
Do not give your baby processed meats.
These include:
- ham
- bacon
- sausages
These meats contain additives which are unsuitable for babies. They are also very high in salt
Honey
Do not give honey to your baby if they are under 12 months.
It may contain a bacteria called botulism. This can make your baby seriously unwell.
Sugar
Avoid sugary snacks and drinks including fruit juice and fruit drinks. Sugar can encourage a sweet tooth and lead to tooth decay when your baby's first teeth start to come through.
Cows' milk (as a drink)
Do not give cows' milk as a drink to your baby if they are under 12 months.
Your baby needs breast milk or formula milk as their main drink until then.
Mixing milk into food
You can use cows' milk when making food for your baby, or mix it into their food. For example, in their breakfast cereal or mashed potato.
Use small amounts of pasteurised full fat cows' milk from 6 months onwards.
Certain cheeses
Certain cheeses can contain a bacteria called listeria, which can cause listerosis. They should not be given to babies or young children.
Avoid cheese made from unpastuerised milk and mould-ripened cheese, such as:
- brie or camembert
- ripened goats' milk cheese, such as chévre
- soft blue-veined cheese, like roquefort
- unpasteurised cheeses - check the labels to make sure you're buying cheese made from pasteurised milk
You can offer your baby pasteurised full fat cheese from 6 months. For, example cheddar cheese, cottage cheese and cream cheese.
Whole nuts
Do not give whole nuts to children under age 5.
Whole nuts are a choking risk.
Give peanuts that are crushed or in a nut butter
It is important to introduce peanuts to your baby in the early stages of weaning. This can help to prevent a peanut allergy.
To do this, use:
- a smooth nut butter (with no added sugar or salt)
- nuts that have been crushed or ground down
Tea and coffee
Do not give tea or coffee to babies.
These drinks reduce your baby’s absorption of important micronutrients like iron and calcium.
Bran
Do not give bran to babies. Bran is the outer layer of grains like wheat and oats. It is very high in fibre.
Bran reduces your baby’s absorption of iron, calcium and other micronutrients. Due to its very high fibre content, it can also fill baby’s tummies up very quickly or cause tummy upset.
Liver
Do not give liver to babies.
It contains too much vitamin A. This can be toxic for babies.
Raw shellfish
Children should only eat shellfish that has been thoroughly cooked. Raw or lightly cooked shellfish such as mussels, clams or oysters can increase the risk of food poisoning.
Shark, swordfish or marlin
These fish contain high levels of mercury, which can affect your baby's growing nervous system.
Fresh pâté
Pâté made from meat, fish or vegetables can cause food poisoning.
Raw or undercooked eggs
All eggs need to be thoroughly cooked due to the risk of salmonella.