Foods To Avoid During Weaning
The list of foods to avoid during weaning is very useful for new mothers. Their priority is in fact to protect and nourish their children as best they can while growing up.
The most nutritious and complete food for babies is breast milk. However, over time, other foods must also gradually be included, equally necessary for their development.
The ideal age to start weaning is from six months. In this period, children are already able to sit up and can assimilate food correctly. In general, these are simple and light dishes, such as homogenized fruit and vegetables. However, it is good to remember the foods to avoid during weaning , as they could be bad for you.
Foods to avoid during weaning
There are certain foods that babies shouldn’t eat before 12 months. Here is a useful list to guide you during the weaning of your little ones.
1. Sugar
The negative effects of excessive sugar consumption are known to all. Avoid sweetening baby food and drinks, otherwise you will accustom your children to consume sweet foods.
A baby of a few months has not yet fully developed the sense of taste, so it does not distinguish a sweet food from a tasteless one. However, if you still want to sweeten your baby’s food, you can use a mashed banana or some of your own milk, thus avoiding the premature onset of tooth decay.
2. Honey
While it may seem like a natural option for sweetening baby foods, we urge you not to use it instead of sugar. The consumption of honey in children under the age of one has been associated with infant botulism (a serious problem that affects the muscles, causing intestinal constipation and difficulty in breathing).
3. Salt
Like the ingredients we have already mentioned, salt is also used to give more flavor to foods. And it is equally harmful during weaning. Avoid including it in your baby’s diet, as it poses a risk to their kidneys.
A baby’s kidneys are not yet fully developed, so they are unable to dispose of large amounts of sodium. You can start adding salt to your children’s dishes when they are one year old.
4. Fish, crustaceans and molluscs
Although fish is considered a healthy source of protein, it is among the foods to avoid when weaning. In fact, some species contain a high level of mercury, which can seriously damage the baby’s nervous system.
Likewise, we advise against giving your children crustaceans or molluscs, due to their cadmium content, which can impair kidney functions.
5. Skimmed dairy products
Although breast milk is irreplaceable, you can also introduce, in moderation, other sources of healthy fats of animal origin. Yogurt and cheese are a good option.
However, skim dairy products should be avoided, as they have been modified to eliminate excess fat, while it is where the essential vitamins and calories children need are found.
6. Some vegetables
It is true that vegetables are good for children due to their high content of nutrients and vitamins, but not all. Here are the ones you should avoid during weaning:
- Swiss chard;
- Spinach;
- Algae;
- Borage.
These vegetables, in fact, contain a high concentration of nitrates, substances that oxidize hemoglobin and transform it into methemoglobin. This disorder compromises the mucous membranes and causes a lack of oxygen in the blood.
7. Beverages with caffeine
Not all moms know about the deleterious effects of caffeine on babies. This substance, present in coffee, tea and some soft drinks, inhibits the correct absorption of iron and calcium. In addition, it is responsible for the overexcitation of the baby’s nervous system.
8. Dried fruit, chips and industrial snacks
Dried fruit is certainly one of the foods to avoid during weaning. Its small size can cause choking. You can introduce these foods later, after 5 years and always under your supervision.
Even potato chips and industrial snacks should be avoided, given their high content of sugars and additives that can damage the baby’s health.
It is essential to choose the foods to give to children during their first year of life. It is therefore important to know the benefits that each food can bring to their health and, in case of doubts, always consult a specialist.
