"Forbidden" Foods and Foods to Avoid for Baby - Foods Baby Should Not Have Until a Certain Age

FORBIDDEN BABY FOODS - Learn about foods that should be delayed when introducing solids to your baby

There are many "forbidden foods" that baby should not have until he has reached a certain age.  These forbidden baby foods may include egg whites,

peanut butter, shellfish, crustaceans and citrus. However, changes to these "forbidden foods" recommendations are afoot ; read more below!

The chart below is a compilation of some "forbidden" baby foods that may pose an allergy risk or another type of health risk to infants of a certain age.  Read more about Baby Food and Allergies.

Many foods are listed as they may pose a certain health risk but not necessarily an allergy risk. You may find some items not listed as these items pose neither an allergy risk nor do they pose an immediate health risk (i.e. sugar and salt - though sugar and salt should not be added to baby's meals.)

Our Forbidden Foods chart is not to be taken as a replacement for advice given from your baby's pediatrician. As with our solid food charts, this forbidden baby food chart is somewhat conservative in nature compared to guidelines from other sources.  It has been researched and compiled from various medical authorities such as private pediatricians, the AAP, the AAFP, and the WHO.

Is this chart really relevant since the AAP report from 2008 came out?

In 2008, the AAP released a clinical report entitled Effects of Early Nutritional Interventions on the Development of Atopic Disease in Infants and Children: The Role of Maternal Dietary Restriction, Breastfeeding, Timing of Introduction of Complementary Foods, and Hydrolyzed Formulas

There are many who believe that due to this clinical report, there is no longer a need to delay any foods, of any kind, when beginning to introduce solid foods to babies. The report notes the following:

"Although solid foods should not be introduced before 4 to 6 months of age, there is no current convincing evidence that delaying their introduction beyond this period has a significant protective effect on the development of atopic disease regardless of whether infants are fed cow milk protein formula or human milk. This includes delaying the introduction of foods that are considered to be highly allergic, such as fish, eggs, and foods containing peanut protein."

It is important to note that the AAP states in its clinical report that: "In summary, the evidence from these conflicting studies, in balance, does not allow one to conclude that there is a strong relationship between the timing of the introduction of complementary foods and development of atopic disease. This raises serious questions about the benefit of delaying the introduction of solid foods that are thought to be highly allergic (cow milk, fish, eggs, and peanut-containing foods) beyond 4 to 6 months of age; additional studies are needed."

In the press release, the AAP notes that "Nor is there sufficient evidence that any dietary intervention after 4-6 months of age prevents allergic disease. This includes delaying the introduction of complementary foods."

A recent interview with Dr. Greer in Medscape Pediatrics notes that

"Now we can tell mothers: If you have exclusively breastfed for 4 months and your child is not at risk for allergy, you can introduce any food at 6 or 8 months or whatever. [Solid foods should still not be introduced before the infant is 4-6 months old, according to the report.] In children at risk for atopic disease, simply avoiding foods for a certain time may delay the onset of allergy, but it doesn't prevent allergy." You see the bottom line is, there may not be a prevention of an allergy, simply a delay in the allergy.

At this time, there has not been an AAP Policy Statement firmly declaring that it is 100% safe for (non-allergic) infants to be introduced to all foods, allergenic or not, after 6 months of age. The Clinical Report states that more studies are needed and that the report itself is not definitive.

So what exactly does this mean, can I give my 7 month old peanut butter?

The bottom line is that peanuts and eggs have not been proven safe for infants prior to 12 months or older; nor have these items in particular been proven unsafe. It is most important that you discuss introducing possible allergenic foods with your baby's pediatrician.

Our forbidden food chart will remain on our site for those parents interested in learning about what foods may pose issues - and for posterity. Several of the recommendations on our chart are there because delaying the introduction of certain foods is not due to possible allergic reactions. These recommendations are due to other possible health risks. As we mentioned prior, many foods listed should not be given until a certain age due to possible health issues:

• Honey for example, could prompt infant botulism due to the immaturity of a baby's intestinal tract.
• Whole milk should not be introduced as a replacement for breast milk or formula until after 12 months. This recommendation is due to the fact that whole cow milk cannot properly sustain a growing infant. It simply does not have all the nutritional components needed for healthy growth and development. There is also a bit of difficulty in the digestion of whole milk proteins. Yogurt and cheese are cultured and thus tend to be more easily digested.
• Citrus is very acidic and many infants under the age of 12 months old suffer rashes and tummy upsets due to the acidity. This has nothing to do with allergies.
• Strawberries and Shell Fish, and even Peanuts, can prompt severe, life threatening allergic reactions. The recommendation continues to be one of caution and delay.
• We would also like to point to a few other examples of why it might be prudent to delay the introduction of certain foods. Broccoli for example is known to cause gas in many people. Offering broccoli to an infant who is 6 months of age is really not a good idea. You would not want offer a 6 month old baby Beans either, as these too may cause painful gas.

Solid Foods for Baby

Useful articles and charts to help you with the fun and folly of introducing baby to solid foods.

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