Ten Baby Food Safety Tips
by Jessica Williams
- Never leave your baby alone with food. Stay close during feeding
time, and know how to handle a choking baby.
- Don't give your baby nuts, hot dogs, pretzel sticks, chips, raw
carrots and other items that could cause choking. Give your baby
foods that are mashed, pureed, or easily dissolve in baby's mouth
(like Ritz crackers).
- Never give honey to a child under 12 months of age. Some
pediatricians even recommend waiting until your child is more than 18
months old.
- Be careful with common allergens such as peanut butter, orange
juice, eggs, corn and wheat. If your family has a history of
allergies, speak to your pediatrician about what solids you might
avoid and for how long.
- Don't store uneaten portions of food in the fridge - throw them
out. Saliva from your baby's mouth can cause bacteria to grow in
unused portions of food.
- Never microwave food for your baby. Even if stirred thoroughly,
some parts may remain hot and could burn your child. Most jarred baby
food doesn't need to be heated anyway, and you can always heat food in
your oven or on the stovetop.
- Don't reduce your baby's fat intake when feeding solids. Your baby
will not benefit from "light" foods or "low fat" foods; he needs the
fat.
- Never put baby cereal or any other solid food into a bottle for
baby. It can be a choking hazard and is not good for the teeth.
- Don't give your baby food in the car. Unless you are watching him
at all times (which means you aren't watching the road!) you may not
hear him if he starts to choke.
- Be careful with foods that can get caught in the teeth (such as
raisins). Wipe your baby's gums and teeth with a wet washcloth until
he is old enough to brush.
About the Author: Jessica Williams is an iParenting assistant editor and mother of two boys, born in 9/93 and 8/96. She writes breastfeeding, parenting and pregnancy articles from her home in northwest Montana. She is the
breastfeeding guide at Suite 101.
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