Foods to avoid for babies from 6 months:
By this age, most foods are fair game for your baby, but there are still a few it's best to skip for now.
- Salt – it's a no-no because young babies' kidneys can't cope with it. Baby foods don't contain added salt, but other ready-made foods that aren't specifically for babies might have added salt, so it's good to check before you let your baby have a taste. Babies under a year old should have less than 1g salt per day.
- Sugar – remember, from your baby's point of view, all flavours are a new and exciting adventure, and most babies love the natural taste of fruits and vegetables – so why add unnecessary sugar? Far better to avoid it if possible.
- Honey can contain a type of bacteria that young babies' intestines cannot cope with, so it should be avoided for babies under a year old.
- Whole nuts, including peanuts, can be a choking hazard for children under 5.
- Most fish is OK, but avoid shark, swordfish or marlin, as they may contain mercury.
- Raw shellfish – babies are at greater risk of food poisoning, so best to avoid the raw oysters, at least for now.
- Runny eggs - babies over 6 months can have eggs. If the eggs are hens' eggs and have a red lion stamped on them it's fine for them to be eaten lightly cooked. Eggs without the red lion mark should be cooked until both the white and yolk are solid.
- Low fat and wholemeal foods – these are fine choices for adults, but babies need the full-fat version (Do not give your young baby foods that are high in saturated fat, e.g. crisps, cakes and biscuits’), especially when it comes to dairy products, and wholemeal bread, rice, etc. can fill their tiny tummies up before they've eaten enough to keep them going.
- Babies can eat pasteurized, full fat cheese from 6 months. However, cheese made from unpasteurized milk and mould-ripened soft cheese should be avoided, as they may contain a harmful bacteria
