Your baby is growing, and more questions are coming your way as your baby grows especially when it comes to feeding. 

As your baby starts transitioning from breastmilk or bottlemilk to solids, parents need to understand how their digestion system, kidneys and immune system work. All of your baby's organ are still developing fast and rapidly. 

That's why some foods are perfectly ok for your baby, some don't, and can even harm your baby under one year old. 

This guide offers an understanding of which foods should be avoided, why they may be dangerous, and healthier alternatives for your baby’s first year.

Which Foods Should Be Avoided For Baby Under One Year Old?

1) Honey 

Honey can contain spores of Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium that causes infant botulism. While harmless to older children and adults, babies under one do not yet have the gut maturity to process these spores safely.

Risk:

• Infant botulism: rare but potentially life-threatening

• Symptoms: constipation, muscle weakness, poor feeding, and lethargy

Safer Alternative:

Use mashed fruits like banana or apple puree to add natural sweetness to baby foods.

2) Salt (Sodium)

A baby’s kidneys are still immature and cannot efficiently process high amounts of sodium. Consuming too much salt can lead to kidney damage and a preference for salty foods later in life.

Risk:

• Kidney strain

• Dehydration

• Developing high blood pressure later in life

Common Hidden Sources:

• Ready-made baby foods

• Bread

• Cheese

• Processed meats

Safer Alternative:

Prepare baby food at home using natural ingredients. Herbs like basil or oregano (in small amounts) can add flavour without adding sodium.

3) Sugar

Babies do not need added sugar. It contributes to unhealthy weight gain, affects their developing taste preferences, and can lead to long-term health risks like Type 2 diabetes and tooth decay, even before teeth have emerged fully.

Research Insight:

Studies show that avoiding added sugar during the first 1000 days of life can reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes by 35% and high blood pressure by 20%.

Risk:

• Tooth decay

• Obesity

• High blood sugar

Common Hidden Sources:

• Fruit juice

• Sweetened yogurt

• Baby snacks and cereals

Safer Alternative:

Offer fresh fruit, such as mashed bananas or soft steamed apples, to introduce natural sweetness.

4) Cow’s Milk as a Main Drink

While small amounts of cow’s milk can be used in cooking or in solid foods, it should not replace breastmilk or formula before the age of 1. It lacks essential nutrients like iron and may irritate a baby’s digestive system.

Risk:

• Iron deficiency anaemia

• Kidney strain due to high protein and mineral content

• Possible allergic reactions

Safer Alternative:

Continue breastfeeding or formula-feeding until your baby turns one. Use breastmilk or formula to mix cereals and purees.

5) Whole Nuts and Choking Hazards

Whole nuts and other hard foods like raw carrots or whole grapes pose a serious choking risk.

Risk:

• Choking

Safer Alternative:

Offer nut butters (smooth, unsweetened) spread thinly on toast or mixed into porridge. Always slice grapes and cherry tomatoes into quarters lengthwise.

6) Certain Fish (High in Mercury)

Fish like shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish contain high levels of mercury, which can affect your baby's developing nervous system.

Risk:

• Mercury toxicity

• Neurological development issues

Safer Alternative:

Low-mercury fish such as salmon, cod, or sardines provide healthy omega-3 fatty acids essential for brain development.

7) Egg Whites (Raw or Undercooked)

Raw or undercooked eggs can carry Salmonella. While egg yolks may be introduced earlier, egg whites are more allergenic and should be introduced cautiously after consulting with a paediatrician.

Risk:

• Allergic reactions

• Food poisoning

Safer Alternative:

Hard-boiled or fully scrambled eggs can be introduced gradually, typically around 6-8 months, depending on family allergy history.

8) Processed Foods and Junk Foods

Many packaged baby foods marketed for kids are high in salt, sugar, unhealthy fats, and additives.

Risk:

• Poor nutrition

• Food addiction to hyper-palatable foods

• Long-term health issues like obesity and metabolic syndrome

Safer Alternative:

Offer homemade meals with a variety of vegetables, fruits, grains, and healthy proteins. Use a food processor or steamer to make soft, baby-friendly textures.

9) Fruit Juice and Sugary Drinks

Juice is often marketed as healthy, but it’s high in sugar, low in fiber, and can lead to overfeeding or tooth decay.

Risk:

• Diarrhea

• Nutrient imbalance

• Early childhood cavities

Safer Alternative:

Offer water in small sips after meals. Stick to whole fruits to get fiber and nutrients together.

10) Unpasteurised Dairy Food

Unpasteurised dairy food may contain harmful bacteria such as Listeria, Salmonella, E. coli, or Campylobacter. A baby’s immune system is still developing, making it harder for them to fight off these infections, which can lead to serious illness, hospitalisation, or even be life-threatening.

Specific Risks:

• Listeria infection: Can cause fever, vomiting, and in severe cases, meningitis.

• E. coli or Salmonella: Can lead to severe diarrhoea, dehydration, and kidney complications (like hemolytic uremic syndrome).

• Weakened gut defense: Babies' digestive systems are not mature enough to handle the bacterial load.

Use only pasteurised dairy products in small quantities (e.g., yogurt or cheese in cooking) after 6 months, and ensure that milk is not a main drink until after 12 months.