9 Tips for Feeding Your Baby Safely

For the first four months of life, your baby’s dining experiences were rather limited – breast milk, formula, or a sampling of both.  Then, your little gourmet’s menu expanded to include the inaccurately named “solid foods,” soupy edibles that are much more pudding than pork chops.  Finally, after months of anticipation, the vast world of culinary delights is opening to your little one, and it’s a tummy-tempting journey that you’ll both enjoy!  But before you put your best fork forward, be sure to follow these 9 tips for feeding your child safely.  Bon appetit!

1. Never give your baby warmed foods before checking the temperature first.  Prevent burns by sampling the food yourself or placing a small dollop on your wrist.  If it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for your baby.

2. Do not feed honey or corn syrup to a baby younger than 1 year of age. These edibles can cause infant botulism, a bacterial disease that can be fatal if not treated.  Honey and corn syrup are safe for children over 1.

3. Refrain from giving your baby a bottle containing milk, formula, or juice just before bedtime.  The sugars found in these liquids will pool around your child’s budding teeth and lead to a condition known as baby bottle tooth decay. (Learn more about preventing baby bottle tooth decay.)

4. Never feed your baby foods that pose a choking hazard – especially raisins, peanuts, hard candies, popcorn, or raw carrots.  Hot dogs can be given to babies if they are cut lengthwise and then sliced into quarters.  Grapes should be peeled and halved.