FOODS
TO AVOID FOR YOUR BABY
There are certain foods to avoid feeding your child in the
early years to minimize the incidence of allergies. For starters,
the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that you only
feed your baby breast milk or formula for the first four to
six months.
The foods to avoid for a minimum of one year include:
• Citrus
• Honey – Honey may contain spores called Clostridium
botulinum (botulism) that can be life threatening to a baby.
• Egg whites – The fat in egg yolks is terrific
for optimal growth and development in your baby. However,
the protein rich egg white may cause an allergic reaction.
• Dairy – The protein in cow’s milk (specifically
the protein called casein), is very difficult for a child’s
immature digestive system to break down. Cow’s milk
also does not contain all the nutrients your infant needs
and contains traces of mineral in amounts that can damage
a baby’s kidneys. While breast milk is best, if not
breast feeding, stick to formula. Formula that is labeled
“hydrolyzed” is easier for a baby’s digestive
system to break down and absorb.
• Shell fish
• Peanut butter – peanut butter can be highly
allergenic. If you or your spouse has an allergic reaction
to peanuts, wait until your child is 3 years old before introducing
peanut butter and jam.
• Wheat – Although most babies can digest wheat
fairly well (i.e. in cereal), if you are concerned about an
allergic response, it is best to wait until after one year
to introduce.
• Tree nuts – walnuts and pecans
• Soy – A large number of infants who show a
sensitivity to dairy products may also have a reaction to
soy (i.e. soy formula).
Infants who have a parent or sibling with food allergies
are at risk for developing food allergies. If you have a strong
history of allergies in the family, additional foods that
can trigger an allergic response are corn and chocolate.
Signs of an allergic reaction may include: diarrhea, vomiting,
skin rash, hives, swollen lips, tongue or face. Signs of a
severe allergic reaction include gasping and difficulty breathing,
and require immediate medical care.
Reprinted with permission from Sweetpea Baby Food www.sweetpeababyfood.com
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