Special Diets
Other fluids
Do not offer small, hard foods as your baby can choke on these including nuts, undercooked pieces of hard vegetables or fruit (for example carrot or apple), pieces of sausage or steak, fish with bones, popcorn, chips or corn chips, small lollies (sweets) etc. Honey is not recommended before 1 year of age because it has been known to cause botulism poisoning. Other foods that can cause extreme reactions in babies under 12 months are strawberries and peanut products such as peanut butter.
Do not offer cooled teas because they contain substances that bind with iron and other minerals making them less absorbable in your baby's body. Avoid adding sugar to foods or highly salted foods such as fish in brine, canned soups etc.
Cow's milk should not be given before 1 year of age (only breast milk or formula). Cow's milk is high in protein, salt potassium, phosphorus and calcium and not appropriate for a young baby's underdeveloped kidneys to break down. It also does not have sufficient vitamins or fatty acids that young babies need to grow and develop. However, using cow's milk in foods you cook or prepare for your baby is fine.
Soy milk also does not have the necessary additives a baby needs to grow, unless it is a soy-based formula milk. Be aware that soy-based formulas do not prevent allergic reactions. You can read more in
Cow vs Soy formula milk.
Special diets
If you are concerned about allergies or you want to restrict your baby's diet in a major way (for example a
vegetarian or vegan diet seek the advice of a dietician or experienced health professional to make sure your baby is getting all the nutrients they need for normal growth and development. In regards to a vegetarian diet, adequate
iron,
protein,
calcium, fats (calories) and
vitamin B12 are particularly important.
Sometimes paediatricians will recommend special diets to help treat health conditions. Be guided by your caregiver.