While it’s fun to watch your baby try new foods, there are certain things that should be avoided until Baby is old enough to handle them without developing an allergy, in most cases after they’re a year old:
Eggs – Protein-rich eggs, when introduced before one year of age, can cause allergies.
Citrus – Citrus fruits and juices are also potential allergens if given too early.
Honey – Honey can contain the spores of Clostridium botulinum, better known as botulism. An adult’s intestinal tract can handle the spores, but a baby’s can’t, and it can be potentially life-threatening.
Peanut butter – Peanut allergies are highly common. Don’t give your baby peanut butter within the first year, and if one of Baby’s parents has a peanut allergy, it’s best to wait until three years of age.
Wheat – Wheat is the most common grain allergen, so wait until your baby is eight months old at a minimum before giving any wheat-based products.
Cow’s milk – Give your baby formula or breast milk for his first year. Cow’s milk is full of protein that Baby can’t adequately process, and contains minerals in amounts too large for such a little person; such large amounts can do damage to the kidneys.
Other common allergens are chocolate, shellfish, nuts, soy, and corn. If you suspect that your baby is susceptible to food allergies, or if you or your partner have allergies to certain foods, avoid introducing such foods into Baby’s diet for the first year (and to play it safe, wait out the second year, too). Also, never give your baby foods that pose a choking hazard, such as: