What are some early weaning foods I should avoid?

You should avoid the following during initial days of weaning 1. Highly spiced food - wait till baby is atleast 8 months. Spices might cause a tummy upset 2. Salt as it causes kidneys to overwork 3. Cow's milk, instead use breast or formula milk. 4. Foods with gluten (check pack labels) 5. Eggs - raw or undercooked eggs like soft-boiled, poached or lightly scrambled must not be given until your baby is 12 months to avoid the risk of food poisoning. 6. Meat, fish or poultry - if you're just starting weaning at six months, it’s best to introduce these gradually over a few weeks while your baby gets used to solids. Meat and fish can be strongly flavoured and harder to digest. 7. Citrus and berry fruits - may cause allergies 8. Nuts, whole or ground - may cause allergies. Also nuts are not suitable till age 5 when not cut into small pieces as they are choking hazard. 9. Honey - not suitable for under 1 year 10. Cabbage, garlic, onions - wind inducing food 11. Soft and unpasteurised cheeses - Don’t give soft, unpasteurised or blue cheeses in the first year due to risk of listeria. Anything else that has caused allergies in immediate family members.

Broccoli, Cabbage They may make baby gassy. Fish (Shark, swordfish, tilefish, king mackerel and marlin) They may contain traces of Mercury. Food that will pose as choking hazard for baby led weaning: - Whole nuts - Grapes - Hard raw veggies - Blueberries Food that may carry a risk of food poisoning: - Soft, mould-ripened cheese such as brie or camembert - Raw or undercooked shellfish - Soft boiled or raw eggs - Liver pate - Shrimp, lobster, crab, scallops If baby has an allergy or an allergic condition such as asthma or eczema, try these food one at time to track reactions: - Grains such as wheat, rye, barley and oats that contain gluten - Fish and shellfish - Citrus fruits - Nut butters - Soya - Cow's milk - Egg

Foods to avoid will be:- Nuts and seeds - whole or chopped Low-fat foods High-fibre foods, e.g. with added bran Raw or under-cooked eggs Honey - if your baby is under one year Salt Avoidable sugar Fizzy drinks or squashes Tea, coffee or flavoured milks Adult foods like gravy or sauces – they may be high in salt and additives Liver - if your baby is taking supplements containing vitamin A

Avoid foods which contain components notorious for potential allergies and sentivities like wheat, gluten, nuts etc. Also, best to skip eggs, fish, shellfish, soft and unpasteurised cheeses and honey, amongst other things in early stages of weaning.

Be cognizant of foods that can cause gas. Onions, beans, wheat, dairy, and cruciferous vegetables can potentially make your baby uncomfortable. You may want to wait until your baby is a little older (8 to 10 months) to introduce these items.