So we parents tend to think that if I can have it then baby can have it, we often forget that we have been around for 20+ years and so we have built immunity as well as tolerance to certain foods. So here is my own list of what we should not give baby and also when we can introduce them if we have to.
Candy, sweets- these are such a great temptation, we feel like baby will settle down and just chew on the sweet and not disturb for at least all of 10 minutes. Candy however, give babies a sugar rush and so they become hyper active, so much for the 5 minutes you wanted to yourself.
They also cause tooth decay, do not think the fact that your baby has no teeth they cannot be affected, they will. And you do not want to start doing fillings to your baby’s teeth even before they first set falls out.
They pose as a choke hazard especially if it is not a lollypop
If you really have to introduce candy, wait for two years to give lollypop and 4 years for the others (at this point they can chew on it without swallowing)
Soda, soft drinks- Fizzy drinks make babies feel full quickly. If your baby has fizzy drinks to quench his thirst, it may spoil his appetite for the nutritious foods he needs. Also, sugary drinks are high in calories, and your baby may become overweight in toddlerhood if regularly drinks them.
Did you know that some even contain caffeine?
Sweetened or commercial juice- this is synthetic juice, all chemicals and so certainly not good for you or baby. If you really have to give juice dilute fresh juice for baby to reduce the sugar concentration. Homemade fruit juice is the best, that way you are sure that it has no sugar added
Crisps and crackers- these ones are often preserved with salt which will over-work your baby’s liver.
Chocolate- though it is better than candy it still falls under the forbidden food, if you really have to give you baby make sure that it is during meal times so that the saliva reduces the effect of the sugar on the teeth.
NB. Do not rush your baby, they have a whole lifetime to discover these foods for themselves and you will be saving a few coins as you do this.
www.babycenter.com