THESE FOODS COULD BE DANGEROUS FOR A YOUNG

Honey

REASON TO BE AVOIDED: Danger of infection from botulinium spores unless sterilised. After 12months children are less likely to be affected. Only sterilised honey is allowed in commercial baby foods in Australia. Most honey boughtin the supermarket is not sterilised. Never put honey on a baby’s dummy as it will cause tooth decay.

Tea

REASON TO BE AVOIDED: The tannin and other compunds in tea interfere with the absorption of iron and other minerals. It also displaces breast milk or formula in baby’s diet. Never give tea in baby’s bottle.

Nuts

REASON TO BE AVOIDED: Avoid all foods with nuts including nut butters (peanut, hazelnut etc) if there are allergies in the family Whole nuts should be avoided until 5 years as babies can inhale them and can’t chew them properly and can choke.

Cow’s milk

REASON TO BE AVOIDED: Avoid cow’s milk and dairy foods if there is a history of cow’s milk allergy in the family. Cow’s milk is not suitable for babies under 12 months because it does not have the correct nutritional composition. Breast milk or infant formula provide babies with most of their nutrition until they are eating a variety of foods. Low fat milks Fat is essential for growth in babies and young children and full fat milk is a good source of fat until 5 years. Reduced fat milks can be used after 2 years.


Raw apples, raw carrots and celery, nuts, popcorn, sausages. All these foods require good chewing. Babies and young children are not always able to chew foods properly and there is a danger of choking on these foods. Leave these until 5 years.