Foods to Avoid When Weaning Your Baby (UK Guide)

Starting solids is exciting — but a few foods are genuinely risky for babies under 12 months, and it's important to know which. Here's a clear UK guide to foods to avoid and why.

Foods to avoid completely under 12 months

Honey

Never give honey to babies under 12 months. Honey can contain Clostridium botulinum spores, which in an immature gut can produce botulinum toxin — a serious and potentially fatal illness. Babies' guts don't yet have the mature gut flora to prevent this. Adults and older children are fine.

This includes:

• Honey on toast, in cooking, in herbal remedies, in drinks
• "Natural" honey, organic honey, raw honey — all carry the same risk
• Some herbal teething products that contain honey — check labels carefully

Salt

Babies' kidneys are not mature enough to process significant salt. The recommended maximum is:

• Under 12 months: less than 1g of salt per day
• 1–3 years: maximum 2g salt per day

Avoid:

• Adding salt during cooking or at the table
• Stock cubes and gravy (most are very high in salt — use low-salt baby stock)
• Smoked fish, cured meats, processed foods
• Soy sauce (extremely high in salt)
• Adult cereals, crackers, and snacks

Whole or chopped nuts

Not because of allergy risk — but because whole nuts are a serious choking hazard under 5 years old.

Smooth nut butters (no added salt) can be introduced from 6 months as part of allergen introduction. Ground nuts are fine in cooking.

Shark, swordfish, and marlin

These large predatory fish accumulate mercury at high levels. Mercury is particularly harmful to developing brains. They should not be given to babies or children.

Oily fish (salmon, mackerel, sardines) are excellent and should be given up to 2 portions per week.

Raw shellfish

Risk of food poisoning. All shellfish served to babies should be thoroughly cooked.

Raw or undercooked eggs

The NHS advises only British Lion stamped eggs (or equivalent pasteurised eggs) can be given runny to babies. Non-Lion eggs must be fully cooked through. Risk is salmonella.

Unpasteurised dairy

Soft and mould-ripened cheeses made from unpasteurised milk (brie, camembert, soft goats' cheese unless pasteurised) carry listeria risk. Pasteurised versions of these cheeses are fine.

Hard cheeses, cream cheese, and full-fat pasteurised yogurt are all excellent weaning foods.

Whole grapes and whole cherry tomatoes

A top choking hazard for babies and young children. Always cut lengthways into quarters before serving.

Rice drinks / rice milk

Not recommended as a drink or on cereal for children under 5 due to elevated arsenic levels. Full-fat cow's milk (or breastmilk/formula) is the right drink from 6 months.

Large amounts of fruit juice

High in sugar, acidic, and can displace nutritious food. If offered, dilute 1:10 with water and offer only at mealtimes in an open cup. Not at bedtime.

Low-fat dairy products

Full-fat versions are strongly preferred for babies and toddlers. Fat is essential for brain development. Not the time for diet products.

Foods that are fine despite common myths

Allergens (peanuts, egg, wheat, fish, dairy): Should be introduced (not avoided) around 6 months. Early introduction of allergens is now known to reduce allergy risk in most babies. Introduce each one separately and in small amounts.

Strawberries: Not a choking hazard when cut appropriately. Can be introduced at 6 months. They can cause a localised rash around the mouth in some babies (not an allergy — just acidic juice touching sensitive skin).

Tomatoes: Fine cooked or raw (cut into quarters). Slightly acidic so some babies get a mouth rash, but not dangerous.

Spinach, beetroot, and other nitrate-rich vegetables: Fine in normal amounts for babies over 6 months.

General food safety reminders

• Never leave baby unsupervised while eating
• Sit baby upright for all meals — never reclined
• Learn infant choking first aid before weaning starts (St John Ambulance offers free online guidance)
• Make sure all food is the right texture for baby's stage — purees → mashed → soft lumps → finger foods

Log the allergen introduction journey

When introducing allergens, track each introduction, the date, and any reactions in TinyYears. This creates a clear record for your GP or allergy clinic if any concerns arise.