Care in Feeding

Just because a food seems healthy and tasty to you doesn't mean you should give it to your baby. Your little one's digestive system is still developing, and some foods can be easy to choke on. Check out these guidelines by age to help you decide what to keep off your baby's menu.

Newborn to Four-Six Months

All solid foods: According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, you should give your baby only breast milk or formula for the first four to six months

Age Four to 12 Months

Peanut butter: Sticky peanut butter can be tricky to swallow. Skip it until she's older.
Honey: Honey contains clostridium botulinum spores, which can cause botulism. Unlike adults, whose intestinal tracts can keep the spores from growing, babies can't combat them and they can produce life-threatening toxins.
Soft Foods: Soft candy and marshmallows can be easy to swallow even if they're not chewed thoroughly. They can get lodged in your baby’s throat.
Small, Hard Foods: Babies can choke on small objects, including foods. Hard candy, nuts, seeds, raisins, dried fruit, popcorn and cough drops are examples of foods to keep out of her reach.
Cow's Milk: Cow's milk protein is hard for your baby to digest until she's about a year old. It also lacks some of the nutrients she may need and contains enough minerals to possibly cause kidney damage at this age.

Age 12 to 24 Months

Soft and Sticky Foods: Until your baby becomes a toddler, it's best to avoid giving her marshmallows, jelly candies, chewing gum and other soft foods that can get stuck in her throat.
Small, Hard Foods: Hard candy, nuts, seeds, raisins, dried fruit, popcorn and cough drops are still risky until your little one is old enough to manage them without choking.
Peanut Butter: A big helping at once can be hard to swallow. A thin layer of peanut butter spread on bread or crackers is a better way to serve it.