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Infant and Newborn Nutrition

Infant and Newborn Nutrition

Summary

Food provides the energy and nutrients that babies need to be healthy. For a
baby, breast milk is best. It has all the necessary vitamins and minerals. Infant formulas are available for babies whose mothers are not able to or decide not to breastfeed.

Infants are usually ready to eat solid foods at about 6 months of age. Check with your health care provider for the best time for your baby to start. If you introduce one new food at a time, you will be able to identify any foods that cause allergies in your baby. Allergic reactions include a a rash, diarrhea, or vomiting.

Many parents are concerned about peanut allergies. When babies can eat foods that contain peanuts depends on their risk of food allergies:

  • Most babies can have peanut products when they are about 6 months of age
  • Babies who have mild to moderate eczema have a higher risk of food allergies. They usually can eat peanut products at about 6 months of age. If you have concerns about this, check with your baby’s health care provider.
  • Babies who have severe eczema or egg allergies are at high risk for peanut allergies. If your baby is at high risk, check with your baby’s health care provider. Your baby may need allergy testing. Your baby’s provider can also recommend when and how to give your baby peanut products.

There are some foods that you should avoid feeding your baby:

  • Do not give your baby honey before 1 year of age. Honey may contain bacteria that can cause botulism in babies.
  • Avoid cow’s milk before age 1, since it does not have all of the nutrients that babies need and babies cannot digest it
  • Unpasteurized drinks or foods (such as juices, milks, yogurt, or cheeses) may put your child at risk for an E. coli infection. E coli is a harmful bacteria that can cause severe diarrhea.
  • Certain foods that can cause choking, such as hard candy, popcorn, whole nuts, and grapes (unless they are cut into small pieces). Don’t give your child these foods before age 3.
  • Because it contains a lot of sugar, babies should not drink juice before age 1

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

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