Foods to avoid

From a weekly internet newsletter:

As your baby learns to eat more solid foods, be careful what you give her. Because your baby's immune system is not fully developed, she shouldn't be given the following foods until after her first birthday:

Honey - Honey may contain botulism spores, which an adult's immune system can handle, but may be toxic to a baby. Honey is fine if it is baked in foods.

Salt - Large quantities of salt or soy sauce can result in salt poisoning or seizures.

Wheat or wheat products - Wheat is the most common grain allergen. Most babies can handle wheat (cereal, breads) when they're about 6 to 8 months old, but if you're worried about allergies, it's not a bad idea to wait until after her first birthday.

Peanuts and peanut butter - Peanuts are highly allergic (and also a choking hazard). If you or your baby's father has a peanut allergy, wait until your baby is at least 3 before giving her peanuts or peanut butter. The same is true for tree nuts such as pecans or walnuts.

Cows' milk - Stick with breast milk or formula until after your baby's first birthday. Her body can't digest the protein in cows' milk, it doesn't have all the nutrients she needs, and it contains minerals in amounts that can damage her kidneys. Yoghurt/curd is okay though from 4-6 months. IT has proteins broken down and has pro biotics too.

Shellfish - As with peanuts, shellfish is highly allergenic. If you or your baby's father is allergic to shellfish, wait until your baby is 3 or 4 before introducing clams, oysters, muscles, scallops, shrimp, and crab.

Eggs - Cooked egg yolks are fine, but wait until your baby is one year old before you give her egg whites, which may cause an allergic reaction.