5 Things You Should Never Give a Baby Under 1 Year

Dr. Sandip Gupta

This video covers things that should not be given to children under 1 year of age. 1. Sugar. Giving sugar creates a chance of tooth decay in children, a risk of obesity, and a chance of developing diabetes later on. Added sugar should never be given to children under 1 year. 2. Salt. Salt should not be given, because salt has a high sodium content and children's kidneys cannot handle too much sodium. There is no need to add salt separately in the food of a child under 1 year. 3. Honey. Honey should not be given to children under 1 year, because honey contains a bacteria (Clostridium botulinum) that can harm children under one year of age. Children can get a disease called infant botulism, which can be dangerous for them. 4. Whole nuts. Do not give whole nuts. Pieces of nuts can get stuck in the child's throat. If you are starting nuts for a child under 1 year, grind them into a completely fine powder — like flour — and mix that into their food. Whole nuts should actually be avoided for children under 5 years. Relevant for: parents starting solids and asking what is not safe for a baby under 1 year; parents asking whether sugar or salt can be added to a baby's food; parents wanting to know why honey is unsafe for infants and what infant botulism is; parents asking how to safely give almonds, cashews or other nuts to a small child; and parents worried about choking risk from whole nuts. Disclaimer: This video is for general information and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Every child is different — please consult your pediatrician before introducing any new food to your child, especially if your child is under 1 year or has a history of allergy.