I've heard it's not safe to add salt or sugar to your baby's food till they're 1 year old. Anyone know why?

Yes avoid adding sugar and salt to baby's food before he or she turns 1. Sugar is made through many chemical processes that are harmful to babies. The consequences to sugar for babies include obesity, depressed immunity and tooth decay. By sugar, it means “White Refined Sugar” not the natural sweetness of fruits and natural sweeteners. As for salt, a baby needs less than 1 g per day (0.4g of sodium) and this is mostly met by the breastmilk or formula. So any extra salt will be a burden on the tiny kidneys and the kidneys will not be able to function properly due to the excessive load. This may lead to kidney disease and it has also been proven to cause hypertension in the adult life. Excessive intake of salt in childhood has also been attributed to diseases as: - osteoporosis - cardiovascular diseases - respiratory illnesses. Read more here : http://www.mylittlemoppet.com/why-no-salt-and-sugar-for-babies-until-1-year-of-age/

As what Idza has explained, a baby’s body requires very little salt and is unable to handle too much (more than 0.4g). Hence, it is important not to give baby any pre-prepared food that is not made especially for babies. Commercial baby foods are safe as they have a low salt content, but do not confuse meals meant for toddlers with those meant for babies. The former may have a higher salt content. Other processed foods that are high in salt and sugar that should be avoided would include: Biscuits, crackers, soups, gravies, sauces, pizza, bacon, crisps., sweets, chocolate, fizzy drinks, fruit juices Best to look at the food labels when buying food for your baby to reduce the chances of buying products that are high in salt and sugar.

Don't spoil her taste bud with salt or sugar. Try other food types. Cook porridge with pork n pumpkin but take away the pork before serving. The sweetness of the pork gets into the porridge plus the pumpkin too. I would only intro after age 2 - both salt and soya sauce

best to go natural. like the moms above have explained babies don't need salt and sugar. they will be eating it later anyways

thanks