When is it safe to feed my baby...?

There's great confusion about when it is safe to introduce certain foods to a baby. Mums beginning to introduce their baby to first solids hear cries of "no egg, no nuts, no citrus fruits, no wheat, no raisins, no kiwi", and the list goes on. Sometimes advice which is given for babies in special circumstances, for instance where there is a strong history of allergy in the family, becomes accepted as applying to all babies. If your family does have asthma, eczema or allergies to foods, it may be a good idea to talk to your family doctor to see if your baby needs to avoid certain foods for longer.

The Health Ministry recommends exclusive breastfeeding for six months. Read our article on introducing baby food for more information.

If you do choose to introduce baby food earlier than six months after discussions with your doctor, there are a number of foods that you should avoid before this time. Read our article below to sort out the facts from the fiction.

Wheat, oats and other foods containing gluten

The risk of developing coeliac disease is reduced by avoiding foods containing gluten such as wheat, rye and barley-based foods. That includes bread, flour, pasta, some breakfast cereals and rusks until six months. Oats are best avoided, too, in case they have been prepared in a factory which processes wheat.


Cooked eggs can be safely introduced into your baby's diet when he is six months old. You should avoid using raw eggs in your baby's diet as they sometimes contain salmonella bacteria, which may cause food poisoning. When cooking eggs for your baby, the egg and white should be firm. For the same reason, it is a good idea to avoid giving your child anything that may contain raw egg, such as uncooked cake mixture, home-made ice-cream or mayonnaise, or desserts that contain uncooked raw egg, such as mousses.


It's true that you shouldn't give whole nuts to children who are under five years old, because of the risk of choking. But nut butters and ground nuts are fine for babies over six months old and children who do not have a family history of allergies.

Serious allergies to nuts and nut products, and some seeds affect less than one per cent of the population. Your baby may be at higher risk if you, your baby's father, brothers or sisters have certain allergic conditions such as hayfever, asthma or eczema .

If you have a family history of allergy, seek your family doctor or paediatrician's advice about weaning. You might also ask her to arrange for your baby to see an allergy specialist.

Sesame foods, such as sesame oil and sesame seeds

Like peanut allergy, sesame allergy can be severe, and can cause anaphylaxis. But if there is no history of allergy in your baby's immediate family, you can give your child sesame foods such as tahini once he is six months old. If you have a family history of allergy, seek your paediatrician's advice about weaning. You might also ask her to arrange for your baby to see an allergy specialist.

Fish and fish products

Experts recommend that you don't give any fish or shellfish to babies younger than six months, because there is a small chance that they might have an allergic reaction.

Children should also avoid eating any shark, swordfish or marlin. This is because the levels of mercury in these fish can affect the development of children's growing nervous systems.

Don't give raw shellfish to babies and children, as they are a high food poisoning risk food.

Fish, especially oily fish, should form part of a healthy diet. Children and adults are recommended to eat at least two portions of fish each week. At least one of these should be oily.

Fresh fish such as salmon, trout, cod and haddock, canned fish such as sardines and pilchards, as well as fish products such as fish fingers and fish cakes are all nutritious foods for young children. Avoid giving fish canned in brine to babies, as it is higher in salt than fish canned in oil.

Soya beans and soya-based products

Some young children have an allergic reaction to soya and soya products including soya formula. The symptoms of soya allergy are similar to milk allergy, and include rashes, diarrhoea, vomiting, stomach cramps and breathing difficulties. Very rarely, soya can cause anaphylaxis.

Children who are allergic to cow's milk should only be given soya-based formulas on medical advice as babies who are allergic to cows' milk can sometimes be allergic to soya too. Highly hydrolysed milk or casein formulas are an alternative to milk and soya based formulae. Ask your doctor for advice.

Kiwi fruit

A tiny number of people have reported reactions to kiwi fruit. Some of these reactions have been severe, especially in children, and the number of people affected appears to be increasing. This may be linked to a general increase in allergic diseases, as well as the growing popularity of this fruit, particularly among children.

Kiwi fruit is a good source of vitamin C, potassium and fibre. If your child has other allergies, or if there's a history of food allergies in your family, then it's not a good idea to give your baby kiwi fruit before he or she is six months old.

Read more about fruit allergy.


Honey is a sugar, and giving your child sugar can encourage a sweet tooth and lead to tooth decay. Experts recommend that you shouldn't give honey to your child until he is a year old, as very occasionally it can contain bacteria which can produce toxins in your baby's intestines. This is known as infant botulism. When your baby is a year old, his intestines are mature enough for the bacteria not to grow.


Raisins and other small dried fruit such as sultanas can make a nutritious snack for an older baby or toddler. However, any small piece of food is potentially a choking risk for your baby, especially if your baby is under a year old. It is therefore always a good idea to be present when your baby attempts finger foods such as raisins and to make sure he is ready developmentally to chew and sit up properly, as well as having the pincer grasp to pick things up with.

Citrus fruits

Citrus fruits such as orange, mandarins, grapefruits, lemons and limes contain lots of vitamin C. Fruit juices and citrus fruits such as oranges should not be given before your baby is six months old. If you buy ready-prepared baby foods, check the label for citrus fruits such as lemon juice as these are often added to early weaning purees such as apple or banana. If you give fruit juice, keep it to meal times only and make sure it is very well diluted (one part juice to 10 parts water) and given in a cup or beaker, never a bottle. Drinking quickly can help reduce the risk of tooth decay from the sugars and acid which are naturally present.

Read more about fruit allergy.

Strawberries and raspberries

Seed fruits can occasionally cause an allergic reaction in children. Wait until your baby is six months before giving them. Allergic reactions to these types of fruit and vegetables are usually mild, and often just affect the mouth, causing some itching or a rash where the food touches the lips and mouth. This is called oral allergy syndrome.

Read more about fruit allergy.

Cow's milk

In general, experts agree that you should not give your baby cow's milk or dairy products until your baby is six months old. From the age of six months, you can use small amounts of full-fat cow's milk in cooking, for example in cheese sauces or custards. Avoid giving cow's milk as a drink until your baby is a year old because it is too low in iron and other nutrients. Low-fat milk is not a suitable drink for children under two years old, but it can be introduced from two years if your child is a good eater, has a varied diet, and is of normal weight. Otherwise, use full-fat milk until your child is up to five years old. Low-fat milk is not suitable for children under five as it is too low in calories, and essential vitamins.

Goat's and sheep's milk

Don't give goat's and sheep's milk to babies who are under a year old. If you choose to use them after this time, make sure they are pasteurised.

Growing up formula milk

Follow-on (or growing up) milk is made from cow's milk and is marketed on the basis that it is higher in iron. It is not necessary to buy growing up formula rather than infant formula. If you do intend to use it, your baby should be at least six months old.


Cheese is an excellent source of calcium, and a concentrated source of energy too. From six months of age you can introduce a little cheese into your baby's diet. Mould ripened soft cheeses, such as brie and camembert, are not suitable, as there is a risk that they carry the listeria bacteria.

High-fibre foods

A high-fibre diet is not suitable for babies or young children. Occasional use of wholemeal bread, pasta and grains is fine, but too many of them could fill up your child's tummy, not allowing room for other foods. Do not add bran to your baby's food since it prevents some important minerals from being absorbed. Do offer your child a variety of starchy foods, including wholegrain varieties, but don't use wholegrain foods exclusively until your child is five years old.


Tea is not a recommended drink for babies or young children. It reduces iron absorption when taken with meals, it contains caffeine and it could scald your baby's mouth. If sugar is added to tea, it also contributes to tooth decay.

Fizzy and soft drinks

Squashes, fizzy soft drinks, flavoured milk and juice drinks are not suitable for babies or toddlers. This is because children who have lots of sugary drinks, especially fizzy drinks and squash, are at increased risk of tooth decay because the drinks are sweetened and are acidic. There is also a risk that children who "graze" on fluids throughout the day spoil their appetite for more nutritious foods. Some children may also suffer from "toddler diarrhoea" because of high squash intake.

Pure fruit juice contains lots of vitamins that are good for children's health, especially vitamin C. The sugars it contains are damaging to teeth, so dilute drinks well (one part juice to 10 of water), keep the juice to mealtimes only, and use a cup or beaker, not a bottle. The best drinks for young children to have between meals are water and milk. These don't contain sugars that can damage teeth. Milk also contains important vitamins and minerals, such as calcium, vitamin B2 and B12.

Our handy baby food safety chart provides an easy-to-follow guide on when to introduce what food.

You can also talk to other parents about what to feed baby. You'll find them today in our Community forums.

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