Once baby clocks six months, it’s time to start trying solid foods ranging from purees to mashes to soft boiled finger foods. There are however some foods that we should avoid introducing to babies until after they turn one year or more. This is because they are either pose a health or choking hazard to babies.
Salty Food
This is not good for their kidneys and therefore too much salt should not be added to your baby’s food. If you are cooking for the whole family and plan to give your baby part of it, then it is worth scooping out baby’s portion before adding salt. Stock and seasoning cubes contain a high amount of salts and should be avoided too. Personally, i believe a little pinch won’t be of any harm but it may all be better to avoid it until after 12 months. You can use natural herbs and spices in baby’s food like nutmeg, dawadawa, okpei, scent leaf (nchuanwu/effirin), cinnamon etc.
Honey
Some bacteria in honey can trigger some toxins that causes an illness called ‘infant botulism’ which can be serious for your baby. This sickness may make your baby to have constipation, poor appetite, weakened sucking and also dehydration. Don’t be tempted to even use honey as a cough syrup until your baby is one year old.
Whole Nuts
Whole groundnuts or other types of nuts should not be given to your baby as they can choke on it, which could be very dangerous or fatal. However, you can give your baby groundnuts or other nuts that are crushed or blended well like peanut butter as long as there is no history of allergies or eczema in your family.
Sugar and Fizzy Drinks
This includes sugary snacks and drinks too like fruit juices as they help trigger tooth decay. Instead of pure sugar, why not use fruits like banana and mango to sweeten your baby’s pap or cereal.
Raw and Undercooked Eggs
I am sure this cannot be an issue because we Nigerians are used to cooking our foods until they are done, eggs inclusive. But it is worth mentioning to know that whole eggs can be given to your baby from six months, just make sure it is cooked well till both the egg white and yolk are solid.
Cow Milk
Infant formula is the only suitable alternative to breast milk for babies under one year. The cow milk (powdered or liquid) that we take should not be used to replace infant formula or breast milk because it does not contain the nutritional components to sustain a growing baby. It is also difficult for babies to digest the proteins in it. Yogurts can however be offered to babies as they are cultured and more digestible. Choose natural yogurt and sweeten with fruits like this.
Tea or Coffee
Tannin and caffeine which are found in these two are not suitable for babies and even children as it can inhibit their absorption of nutrients form the food they eat.
Low Fat Foods
In this era of #fitfam, you may be tempted to give your baby low-fat foods that you have made for yourself. No no, because fat is an important source of calories for babies until at least 2 years of age. They should generally get half of their daily calories from fat for the normal development of their body and brain.
Choking Hazards
There are foods that pose a choking hazard for babies despite some of them being good for them. Just like whole nuts, foods that cannot dissolve or be easily mashed with baby’s gum and also that they can easily suck into their wind pipes should be avoided. Whole pea, raw carrots, hard apples or pears, grapes, popcorn, chunks of beef or chicken should all be avoided unless they are mashed or pureed to make it easier for their gums.
Get the baby meal plan for food purees and get baby puree recipes here.
Your blog is very informative, thanks for sharing. Well done and keep up the good work
Thanks so much Nnenna.
Your blog has been really informative. Thanks so much for showing us new mums how to care for our babies. I’m all for home made foods for any family. I have a 3 month old son, and I want to start him on some semi solids or pureed foods. Is it advisable to start at 4 months? He’s formula fed and breast fed
Hello Jazzy, thank you so much…homemade is always the best. The recommended age to start giving baby solids is 6 months, however some do start at 4 months too. If your baby can sit up fine and hold his head at 4 months, then you can give it a try, otherwise exercise a little more patience. Also do pureed foods at the initial stage.
what kind of beverage can you give to a child of going to two years please??
The normal beverages we know is Milo, Ovaltine and Bournvita. However, you have to know they contain a lot of sugar and should be used in small quantity for kids. Milk and water is more important for your child always.
wow nice recipes i love it
Thank you Recheal
pls ma is it advisable to give children (3years ) pap,akamu ?
Hi Sharon, akamu is good for all ages starting from 6 months. However it is not advisable to only give your children akamu only. You must complement it wit other foods to give your children the optimum nutrition for their health and wellbeing.
hi ma..I’m a first time mom. so happy I found ur page..please I need ur Instagram handle .and ma can I add crayfish and plaintian to my baby tom brown..my baby ll be starting solid next month ma’am.
Congratulations Vera. I don’t know what is tom brown, so check the content before adding any other thing to it. Adding too many things to a baby’s food can make it difficult for you to know what they are reacting to incase of allergy.
Hello Ma,
My younger sister gave my 8 month old baby girl two tablespoons of milo and cow’s milk. This only happened once. Is it enough to affect her? Also, is it okay for my baby to eat mashed yam?
Hi Victoria, I personally do not think that’s a cause for any alarm but it is safer to clarify with a health professional too. Yes, soft mashed yam is good for babies…add other food groups to make it more nutritious for her.
Hello ma’am, just asking if I can introduce my 9months old baby to beverage’s. Is it safe for him?
Hi Ruth, It is not advisable because it is not baby food.
Hi ma’am! Well-done!. Can I give my 6minths old baby pap n peak 1;23? Thanks…
I think peak 123 id for children from 1 year of age. Your baby still needs baby formula please.
Hello ma’am, wanted to ask if I can give my 7months old baby pap and baby formula milk as the protein base? Thank you
Yes you can.
Hi ma,
Thanks for the write up.. very educative. Pls can i give my 6months old baby eba or other swallow with all kinds of Nigerian soup.
She accepts all food so I don’t know if it’s safe for her.
Thank you Marian. It is safe for her as long as you make hers without salt and artificial seasonings for now. However, remember that breastmilk or formula is still her main food, so gradually introduce foods to her starting with softer textures.
Hello ma, I already made the mistake of giving my baby 123 milk mixed with pap for him, he is 6 month and his stomach is getting wider. He is also taking friso. What can I do to get him back to normal shape, I mean the stomach to go flat
Please, it is best to take your child to a paediatrician or health professional if you have a concern about your baby.
Ma,my baby is 8months 5days can I give him pap and peak 123
Pap is fine but not Peak 123 which is for 1 year old and above
Please ma can i give my baby Milo hes just six months and he seems to enjoy it
Hello Faith, Milo is not for babies please. He’s enjoying it because of too much sugar in it which is not a good thing because it will make him reject proper food.
Ma thanks fr d write up, can i give my 5 months semo i made it like pap nd added peak 0-12months formula
Hello Aderonke, why not wait till 6 months first? I don’t know the content of semo and it may be good, but i feel it is better to prepare your own cereals like ground beans, oats, plantain, rice etc. Also add some fruits and veggies to it.
pls ma can i give my 4 month baby with pap and complan
Hi Saidat, the recommended age to start solids is 6 months generally. I don’t think complan is for babies except it is recommended by a doctor. It is best to stick to breastmilk and baby formula.
Hi mam please can I give my 7month old baby hollandian yoghurt drink?
Hello Faith, I don’t know the content of hollandia yogurt. It might be okay if it is plain yogurt without any other additives.
Pls ma between Nido milk n peak 123 which is best for 1 year old
Hello Favour, a one year old can take any milk. I think peak 123 is formulated by enriching it with more vitamins and minerals, however if you give your child a nutritious and varied diet, there is no need for buying the milk which I believe would be more expensive. This is my personal opinion and you can seek more professional advise if in doubt.
Hello ma. I started adding honey to my baby pap from 6montg to sweetned it, pls is it good
Lilian, please do not use the honey again for your baby until one year of age. It can be harmful or fatal.
Good evening ma,
Please ma my mother-in-law gives the baby a zip of soft drinks i hope it’s not harmful to the baby
Mary, it may not be harmful because it is a sip but it is a bad practice that does the baby no good.
Hello mam, my baby is 8mons and he refused to accept any food other than breastmilk, how can I make him eat.. I’ve tried giving him all solid foods including tom brown
Hi Rose, you need to consider why baby is not taking them especially the texture of the food and when you give it. You need to also know that it takes a lot of patience and time to get babies accept new foods. Don’t lose hope but keep trying and you will get there.
Hello ma, can non dairy milk like cashew milk, almond milk and tiger nut milk be offered to a baby of 6 mnths in place of formula.
The baby was constipated when offered formula.
No Seun, only breastmilk and formula milk should be offered to babies till they turn on year. Check if you are making it according to instruction and then consult your baby’s doctor please. This is important.
My 11months old baby prepares golden morn to any other cereal..is it save to continue feeding him with it?
It is what you keep giving a child that they start taking preference to. I don’t think it is good for a child less than 1 year or even 3 years, according to the pack (not so sure again).
please which one is the best for a baby of seven months between peak and my boy formula
A 7-mont old should be taking baby formula. Any brand you choose is a personal choice