Safe, Unsafe, and Allergies

 All solid food: The AAP recommends feeding your baby only breast milk or formula for the first four to six months.

 Eggs (especially the whites) may cause an allergic reaction, especially if given too early.  Citrus is highly acidic and can cause painful diaper rashes for a baby.  Honey may contain certain spores that, while harmless to adults, can cause botulism in babies.  Regular cow's milk does not have the nutrition that infants need (After age one, ok).  Fish and seafood  Peanuts and peanut butter, and tree nuts are also considered allergenic for infants, and shouldn't be given until after the child is 2 or 3 years old, depending on whether the child is at higher risk for developing food allergies. A child is at higher risk for food allergies if one or more close family members have allergies or allergy-related conditions, like food allergies, eczema, or asthma.

 Large chunks: Pea-size pieces of food are safest — they won't get stuck in your child's throat. Vegetables like carrots, celery, and green beans should be diced, shredded, or cooked and cut up. Cut fruits like grapes, cherry tomatoes, and melon balls into quarters before serving. Cut meats and cheeses into very small pieces or shred them.  Small, hard foods: Nuts, popcorn, cough drops, hard candies, raisins, and other small dried fruit and seeds are potential choking hazards.  Soft foods: Soft foods like marshmallows and jelly candies can get lodged in your child's throat.  More choking prevention:  Avoid letting your child eat in the car. It's too hard to supervise while driving.  If you're using a rub-on teething medication, keep a close eye on your baby as it can numb his throat and interfere with swallowing.

 Low-fat milk: Most young toddlers need the fat and calories of whole milk for growth and development. Once your child turns 2 (and if he doesn't have any growth problems), you can start giving him lower-fat milk if you like. (If your child is at risk for obesity or heart disease, however, the doctor may recommend introducing low-fat milk before age 2.)  Why?