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Foods to Avoid Giving Your Baby

By Chioma 50 Comments

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.

baby-food-safety-imageSalty 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.

Disclaimer: Always consult your doctor or pediatrician if you are unsure of what foods to give your baby or when to introduce it. This is a topical guide which is never intended to be substituted for medical advice or opinion.
References: healthychildren.org, nhs.uk, babycentre.co.uk

Filed Under: Baby Recipes, Baby Weaning Tips, Tips, Ideas & Advice

© Mummy’s Yum. Please do not use my images without prior permission. If you want to republish a recipe, please link back to the post.

Opinions, information and feedbacks on this site are personal and are not intended to replace medical advice. If you have any concerns about your child’s health and feeding, please consult your doctor or health professional.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Nnenna says

    13th April 2017 at 10:39 am

    Your blog is very informative, thanks for sharing. Well done and keep up the good work

    Reply
    • Chioma says

      14th April 2017 at 5:18 pm

      Thanks so much Nnenna.

  2. jazzy says

    20th April 2017 at 3:37 pm

    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

    Reply
    • Chioma says

      21st April 2017 at 8:55 am

      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.

  3. Adenekan Adesola says

    20th February 2018 at 9:06 am

    what kind of beverage can you give to a child of going to two years please??

    Reply
    • Chioma says

      20th February 2018 at 8:23 pm

      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.

  4. recheal says

    6th May 2018 at 9:35 pm

    wow nice recipes i love it

    Reply
    • Chioma says

      8th May 2018 at 5:31 am

      Thank you Recheal

  5. sharon Ejeh Edache says

    3rd January 2019 at 8:42 am

    pls ma is it advisable to give children (3years ) pap,akamu ?

    Reply
    • Chioma says

      4th January 2019 at 10:03 pm

      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.

  6. vera says

    27th February 2019 at 1:07 am

    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.

    Reply
    • Chioma says

      8th March 2019 at 6:06 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.

  7. Victoria says

    18th April 2019 at 1:19 pm

    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?

    Reply
    • Chioma says

      23rd April 2019 at 4:38 pm

      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.

  8. ruth yusiya says

    11th August 2020 at 9:51 am

    Hello ma’am, just asking if I can introduce my 9months old baby to beverage’s. Is it safe for him?

    Reply
    • Chioma says

      14th August 2020 at 9:47 am

      Hi Ruth, It is not advisable because it is not baby food.

  9. Seunfunmi says

    12th September 2020 at 7:27 pm

    Hi ma’am! Well-done!. Can I give my 6minths old baby pap n peak 1;23? Thanks…

    Reply
    • Chioma says

      10th October 2020 at 4:33 am

      I think peak 123 id for children from 1 year of age. Your baby still needs baby formula please.

  10. Mrs Jaja says

    8th October 2020 at 7:05 pm

    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

    Reply
    • Chioma says

      10th October 2020 at 4:07 am

      Yes you can.

  11. Marian says

    15th October 2020 at 3:25 am

    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.

    Reply
    • Chioma says

      28th October 2020 at 7:26 am

      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.

  12. Ummi says

    22nd October 2020 at 3:40 pm

    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

    Reply
    • Chioma says

      22nd October 2020 at 4:08 pm

      Please, it is best to take your child to a paediatrician or health professional if you have a concern about your baby.

  13. Igho says

    26th October 2020 at 7:32 am

    Ma,my baby is 8months 5days can I give him pap and peak 123

    Reply
    • Chioma says

      28th October 2020 at 6:49 am

      Pap is fine but not Peak 123 which is for 1 year old and above

  14. Egharevba Faith says

    8th November 2020 at 11:42 am

    Please ma can i give my baby Milo hes just six months and he seems to enjoy it

    Reply
    • Chioma says

      9th November 2020 at 8:15 pm

      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.

  15. Aderonke says

    12th November 2020 at 2:07 pm

    Ma thanks fr d write up, can i give my 5 months semo i made it like pap nd added peak 0-12months formula

    Reply
    • Chioma says

      22nd November 2020 at 1:57 pm

      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.

  16. Saidat Adekunle says

    21st November 2020 at 11:51 pm

    pls ma can i give my 4 month baby with pap and complan

    Reply
    • Chioma says

      22nd November 2020 at 1:51 pm

      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.

  17. Faith says

    28th November 2020 at 6:37 am

    Hi mam please can I give my 7month old baby hollandian yoghurt drink?

    Reply
    • Chioma says

      1st December 2020 at 6:21 am

      Hello Faith, I don’t know the content of hollandia yogurt. It might be okay if it is plain yogurt without any other additives.

  18. Favour says

    11th December 2020 at 12:46 pm

    Pls ma between Nido milk n peak 123 which is best for 1 year old

    Reply
    • Chioma says

      14th December 2020 at 4:57 am

      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.

  19. Umeh Lilian says

    20th December 2020 at 3:40 pm

    Hello ma. I started adding honey to my baby pap from 6montg to sweetned it, pls is it good

    Reply
    • Chioma says

      30th December 2020 at 2:45 pm

      Lilian, please do not use the honey again for your baby until one year of age. It can be harmful or fatal.

  20. Mary says

    3rd January 2021 at 12:48 am

    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

    Reply
    • Chioma says

      9th January 2021 at 6:37 am

      Mary, it may not be harmful because it is a sip but it is a bad practice that does the baby no good.

  21. Rose says

    9th January 2021 at 12:17 pm

    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

    Reply
    • Chioma says

      18th January 2021 at 4:39 pm

      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.

  22. Seun says

    4th May 2021 at 9:08 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • Chioma says

      19th May 2021 at 3:32 am

      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.

  23. Olaitan says

    6th July 2021 at 2:50 pm

    My 11months old baby prepares golden morn to any other cereal..is it save to continue feeding him with it?

    Reply
    • Chioma says

      16th July 2021 at 4:34 am

      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).

  24. biola says

    28th October 2021 at 8:21 pm

    please which one is the best for a baby of seven months between peak and my boy formula

    Reply
    • Chioma says

      29th October 2021 at 7:34 am

      A 7-mont old should be taking baby formula. Any brand you choose is a personal choice

  25. Juliet says

    23rd March 2022 at 11:58 am

    Pls mar, can I use glucose for my six months old pap

    Reply
    • Chioma says

      26th March 2022 at 3:05 am

      No, it is not. Your baby doesnt need it unless recommended by a doctor

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Hello! My name is Chioma and I love cooking. I enjoy being creative in the kitchen, using simple and easy-to-find ingredients to come up with a variety of baby and kid-friendly Nigerian food ideas. I believe our kids can still get the best nutrition from our local ingredients. Welcome to Mummy's Yum where I share my passion and ideas. Read more

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