- Honey, including foods with honey as an ingredient, due to the risk of botulism spores
- Cow’s milk as a beverage, which may increase the risk of iron deficiency and cause intestinal bleeding if given before nine months
- Fruit juice, which may result in diarrhea, cavities or unnecessary weight gain
- Caffeine-containing beverages (coffee, tea, hot chocolate)
- Sweeteners/artificial sweeteners and sweetened foods and beverages
- Commercially prepared infant food desserts, commercial cakes, cookies, candies, and sweet pastries
- Chocolate—some infants have hypersensitivity (allergic) reactions and it has caffeine
- Added sugars such as, brown sugar, honey, molasses, maple syrup, nectar, corn syrup or other sugars in their food, beverages, or water (soda, fruit drinks, punch, sweet tea)
If there is a strong family history of allergy (parent or sibling with a food allergy) talk to your baby’s healthcare provider before introducing common allergen foods. See Allergies for more information.