When Homemade Baby Food - Don'ts

[lovebaby]

• Don't feed nuts, raisins, popcorn, raw vegetables, unpeeled fruits, or peanut butter to children under the age of 2.

• Don't give honey to children under the age of one year due to potential contraction of infant botulism.

• Don't give beets, spinach, collards or turnip greens to babies under one year of age due to high concentrations of naturally-occurring nitrates which can reduce the baby's hemoglobin.

• Don't add salt, sugar, or strong spices to homemade baby foods. If you are using part of the family meal for the infant, remove the infant's portion before seasoning food for the family.

• Don't use cookies as a pacifier for a fussy baby.

• Don't use canned vegetables as they are usually loaded with sodium and additives. Check labels, but usually frozen vegetables have little or no sodium.

• Don't use a microwave to warm foods. Even well-stirred foods could have dangerous hot spots. If you do, use the defrost cycle, checking and stirring often. Always test the temperature by touching a spoonful to the outside of your upper lip. Be sure to wash the spoon before using.


• Don't put diluted foods into a bottle with a larger hole in the nipple for night feedings. It's dangerous, bad for the teeth, and doesn't build good eating habits.

• Don't give highly acidic fruits, such as oranges, tangerines and pineapples, to babies under one year as the acid is harsh on the immature digestive system.

• Don't feed egg whites to babies under one year of age, due to potential allergic reaction. Cooked egg yolks are fine.

• Don't forcefeed your child. To begin solids foods, start with one or two spoonfuls and let your baby guide you.

• Don't limit your child's fat intake during the first two years. Fats are necessary to development.



[From Peggy Trowbridge Filippone]