For all the rules you'll hear about feeding babies, the list of foods to genuinely avoid is reassuringly short. Most of feeding your baby is about saying yes to a rainbow of flavours and textures. This guide covers the few firm "not yet" foods so you can relax about the rest.
The short "not yet" list
A handful of foods carry a real risk for babies under 12 months. Keep these off the menu:
- Honey — including raw, cooked, or baked into food.
- Cow's milk as a main drink — fine in cooking and on cereal, but not as the primary milk feed.
- Whole nuts and other hard, round foods — choking risk.
- Added salt and added sugar — their kidneys and teeth aren't ready.
- Unpasteurised (raw) milk, cheese and juice — higher risk of harmful bacteria.
Choking hazards: small changes, big difference
Babies are still learning to chew and move food around their mouth, so the shape and texture of safe foods matters as much as the food itself. Always stay within arm's reach and supervise every meal, and sit your baby upright to eat — never feeding in a car seat, pram or while lying down.
| Risky as-is | Make it safer |
|---|---|
| Whole nuts | Smooth nut butter (spread thin) or finely ground |
| Whole grapes, cherry tomatoes | Quartered lengthways |
| Blueberries | Squashed or halved |
| Hard raw carrot or apple | Grated or cooked until soft |
| Sausage, hot dogs | Avoid skins; cut into thin lengthways strips |
| Popcorn, hard lollies, chunks of hard cheese | Skip until older |
| Globs of nut butter or stringy melted cheese | Thin and spread, don't offer in lumps |
It helps to know that gagging is normal and protective — it's noisy and looks alarming but moves food forward. Choking is silent. If you're unsure of the difference, see our choking vs gagging guide, and consider an infant first-aid course.
Salt, sugar and "main drink" milk
Babies need very little salt, and their kidneys can't handle much. Sugar adds no benefit and sets up a taste preference early.
- Don't add salt to your baby's food, and go easy on salty processed foods, stock cubes and gravies.
- Skip added sugar and sugary drinks; offer water (from around 6 months, in a cup) and milk feeds.
- Cow's milk can be used in cooking and mixed into food from around 6 months, but breastmilk or formula should stay the main drink until 12 months because cow's milk is low in iron.
- Avoid fruit juice for babies — it's not needed, and unpasteurised juice carries an infection risk. Before around 6 months, breastmilk or formula gives all the fluids your baby needs; you don't need to add extra water, and over-diluting feeds can be harmful, so check with your child-health nurse if you're unsure.
| Stage | Amount |
|---|---|
| ~6 monthsOnce a day, building up | 1-2 tsp |
| 7-9 monthsAround 2-3 meals a day | 2-3 tbsp |
| 9-12 months3 meals plus snacks | Approx 1/4-1/2 cup |
Allergens are different — don't delay these
A quick reassurance, because it's a common mix-up: the foods above are about safety, not allergy. Common allergens like egg, peanut (as smooth peanut butter, never whole nuts), wheat and dairy are now introduced early, from around 6 months, to reduce allergy risk — ASCIA and the AAP both recommend this. Offer one new allergen at a time, earlier in the day, so you can watch for any reaction. See introducing allergens for how.
Regional notes
Guidance is remarkably consistent worldwide, with small differences:
- Vitamin D: the AAP recommends a daily supplement for breastfed and partially breastfed babies; AU advice is more selective and based on risk factors. Ask your child-health nurse about your situation.
- Allergen timing: AU (ASCIA) and US (AAP) both encourage early, sustained introduction from around 6 months; WHO frames timing around developmental readiness.
- Salt limits: exact numbers vary by country, but the universal message is don't add any.
When to get advice
Most feeding wobbles are normal. But reach out to your GP or child-health nurse if your baby seems unwell, isn't gaining weight, or has signs of an allergic reaction. Seek urgent care for any difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or lips, or a choking episode.
You've got this. A short list of "not yet" foods, plenty of supervision, and the whole rest of the menu to explore together.