Foods to avoid when you’re weaning

Reduce the risk of triggering food allergies and stomach upsets by steering clear of these foods in early weaning

By waiting until 6 months to wean your baby, you can safely give her a wide range of foods with little risk of triggering allergies or stomach problems. But although most foods are safe from 6 months, some are best avoided in the early stages of weaning, as they’re less easily digested and stronger in flavour than simpler solids like fruit and veg.

It’s especially important to avoid these foods if, on the advice of your health visitor or GP, you’re weaning before 6 months.

New research has suggested that weaning can safely begin at 4 months, but the current guidelines to wait until 6 months are based on the theory that before this point, your baby’s digestive system is still immature and may not be able to cope with certain foods. So if you're starting to wean before 6 months, it's best to proceed slowly.

Cheese

Don’t give soft, unpasteurised or blue cheeses in the first year due to risk of listeria.

Meat and fish

These can be given from 6 months, but if you're just starting weaning at 6 months, it’s best to introduce these gradually over several days while your baby gets used to solids. Meat and fish can be strongly flavoured and harder to digest.

Shellfish

This should be avoided until 9 months as it can be a cause of food poisoning. Never give raw shellfish to a baby under a year old to avoid potentially dangerous stomach upsets.

Citrus fruit, berries, kiwis and tomatoes

As some children react to these fruits, they’re best avoided in the initial weeks of weaning. Most fruits, however, are perfectly safe, so try bananas, apples, pears and mango instead as ideal first foods.

Cabbage, garlic, onions

Some babies find these ‘wind-inducing’ vegetables uncomfortable, so they may be best avoided initially while your child’s digestive system adjusts to processing solids.

Eggs

To reduce the risk of allergies, don’t give eggs or food containing eggs (such as some sauces and cakes) before 6 months. Well-cooked eggs, such as hard-boiled, can be given from 6 months, but raw or undercooked eggs like soft-boiled or poached must not be given until your baby is 12 months to avoid the risk of food poisoning.

Grains

Wait until your baby has been having solids for several days before introducing these; opt for a non-allergenic baby cereal like baby rice instead. Initially opt for a hypoallergenic cereal such as baby rice instead. Once well established on this then introduce wheat/rye/barley and oats and wheat based products such as bread and pasta.

Nuts

Nuts can pose a choking hazard so you should not give your child whole or chopped nuts until the age of 5. Seeds, nut butters or ground nuts are now considered safe from 6 months if there’s no family history of allergies, asthma or eczema, but it’s best not to give them to newly weaned babies, and to watch carefully for any reaction. Don’t be too complacent if your baby doesn’t react first time; some allergies are triggered by the second exposure.

Paté

This should not be given until 12 months to avoid the risk of food poisoning.

Honey

Honey should never be given to babies under 12 months old as it can cause infant botulism: a rare but potentially dangerous form of food poisoning.

Sugar

To avoid the risk of tooth decay or encouraging a sweet tooth, it’s best not to add sugar to your baby’s food. You should also avoid high-sugar foods like biscuits, fruit juice and squash and sweetened cereals.

Salt

Babies’ kidneys are too immature to process salt and it can also contribute to dehydration. Never add salt to food for babies, and avoid giving salty foods like sausages, ham and bacon until around 12 months.

Cow’s milk to drink

Cow’s milk isn’t suitable as a main drink before 12 months old as it doesn’t contain the same levels of vitamins and fat as breastmilk and formula. You can use full-fat milk in cooking (for example, in sauces or on cereal) from 6 months, but your baby will probably prefer the taste of her usual breast or formula milk at first.