Baby Food Don’ts
Do not feed nuts, raisins, popcorn, raw vegetables, unpeeled fruits, or peanut butter to children under the age of 2. Do not feed nuts, raisins, popcorn, raw vegetables, unpeeled fruit, or peanut butter to children under the age of 2.
Do not give honey to children under the age of one year due to potential contraction of infant botulism. Do not give honey to children under the age of one year because of the potential decrease of infant botulism.
Do not give beets, spinach, collards or turnip greens to babies under one year of age due to high concentrations of naturally-occurring nitrates which can reduce the baby’s hemoglobin. Do not give beets, spinach, collards or turn the greens to babies under one year of age due to high concentrations of naturally-occurred nitrates that can reduce the hemoglobin of the baby.
Do not add salt, sugar, or strong spices to homemade baby foods. Do not add salt, sugar, or strong spices to homemade baby food. If you are using part of the family meal for the infant, remove the infant’s portion before seasoning food for the family. If you use part of the family food for the baby, remove the part of the new baby spice food for the family.
Do not use cookies as a pacifier for a fussy baby. Do not use cookies as a pacifier for a fussy baby.
Do not use canned vegetables as they are usually loaded with sodium and additives. Do not use canned vegetables as they are usually loaded with sodium and additives. Check labels, but frozen vegetables usually have little or no sodium. Check the labels, but usually frozen vegetables have little or no sodium.
Do not use a microwave to warm foods. Do not use microwave to warm food. Even well-stirred foods could have dangerous hot spots. Even better food can be stirred dangerous hot spots. If you do, use the defrost cycle, checking and Stirring often. If you like, use the Melt cycle, checking and stirring often. Always test the temperature by touching a Spoonful to the outside of your upper lip. Always test the temperature by touching a spoonful to the outside of your upper lip. Be sure to wash the spoon before using. Be sure to wash the spoon before using.
Do not put diluted foods into a bottle with a larger hole in the nipple for night feedings. Do not put diluted foods in a bottle with a larger hole in the nipple for night feedings. It’s dangerous, bad for the teeth, and does not build good eating habits. This is dangerous, bad for teeth, and develop good eating habits.
Do not give highly acidic fruits, such as oranges, tangerines and pineapples, to babies under one year as the acid is harsh on the immature digestive system. Do not give highly acidic fruits such as oranges, tangerines and pineapples, to babies under a year as the acid is harsh on young digestive system.
Do not feed egg whites to babies under one year of age, due to potential allergic reaction. Do not feed egg whites to babies under one year of age, due to potential allergic reaction. Cooked egg yolks are fine. Cooked egg yolks are fine.
Do not force feed your child. Do not force feed your child. To begin solids foods, start with one or two spoonfuls and let your baby guide you. To start eating solids, start with one or two spoonfuls and let your baby guide you.
Do not limit your child’s fat intake during the first two years. Do not limit fat intake of your child during the first two years. Fats are necessary to development. Fat is needed in development.