Starting solid food is a messy, but exciting affair! However, while you want to give your baby a variety of tastes and textures to try, there are some foods that are not safe for your baby. These include:
Honey. Honey may contain traces of botulism (can be fatal to infants).
Salt. Your child’s kidneys are not yet able to process salt, and adding salt to his or her food can be dangerous.
Sugar or sweeteners. They can encourage your child to develop a ‘sweet tooth’, are bad for developing teeth, and have very little nutritional value.
Nuts. Even if your child isn’t allergic, whole nuts are a choking hazard.
Low fat foods. Babies need lots of calories, because they’re growing so fast. Don’t
give your child low fat foods, or you will limit his or her calorie intake.
Fish. While some babies can eat fish and seafood, there are some kinds of fish, like marlin and shark, that can contain traces of mercury, which is dangerous.
Coffee and tea. Tannin and caffeine are not suitable for young children, so don’t be tempted to give your child either of these.
Shellfish, mould rind cheeses and soft boiled eggs, as well as liver pate and other foods, can be toxic in some cases. Rather opt for safer choices, and make sure that they are cooked properly and stored carefully, to avoid food poisoning.