Tag: may 2013

Only Best For Baby

It’s exciting to experiment with new foods when weaning your baby. Whilst most foods are safe there are some foods that should only be introduced when your baby is of a certain age to allow for the development of your baby’s digestive system and immune system.

When weaning my baby I found it helpful to follow these simple guidelines for the safe introduction of different foods to ensure my baby was getting the right nutrition at the right time and to minimise the risk of food poisoning.

When can my baby eat …?

Gluten
Gluten is found in grains such as rye, wheat, barley and oats. It can be hard for young babies to digest and should not be introduced before your baby is six months old.

Cow’s Milk
From the age of six months full-fat cow’s milk can be used in cooking and with baby’s breakfast cereals. Cow’s milk can be introduced as a main drink from the age of 12 months.

Cheese
From the age of six months you can offer cheese to your baby but avoid giving blue cheese or soft unpasteurised cheese, such as Camembert and Brie, until your baby is at least one year old. Blue cheese and unpasteurised cheese contain live bacteria which carries the risk of food poisoning.

Eggs
Your baby can eat well cooked eggs with the white and yolk of the egg being solid from the age of six months. Do not give raw or undercooked eggs to babies under the age of 12 months old.

Fish
From six months you can give your baby white fish and oily fish, such as tuna and salmon. No more than two portions of oily fish should be eaten per week. Shark, swordfish and marlin should not be eaten by babies as these may contain traces of mercury.

Shellfish should not be given to babies under the age of nine months and must always be well cooked to minimise the risk of food poisoning.

Nuts
If there is no peanut allergy in your immediate family you can give your baby peanut products from the age of six months. Due to the risk of choking whole peanuts and other nuts must not be given before your child is five years old.

Honey
The bacteria in honey can cause infant botulism and although rare, to be on the safe side honey should not be given to babies under 12 months as their digestive system is too immature to cope.

I always advise parents to stay clear of food additives such as salt and sugar which hold no nutritional value for babies. Salt can cause dehydration and strain a baby’s immature kidneys and sugar can increase the risk of tooth decay.

Enjoy introducing foods and create a happy and healthy weaning experience for your baby.

Lydia Oliver – Nutritional Advisor Only Best For Baby

This article was published in the May 2013 edition of Mummy and Me Magazine. 

I offer one to one nutrition programmes for breastfeeding, post pregnancy weight loss, weaning, weight management and health. Contact me.