Foods to Avoid in Baby's First Year

What to avoid and why

Foods and drinks to hold off on during the first 12 months, with the reason for each.

Food or drink	Avoid until	Why
Honey (including baked or cooked)	12 months	Can carry spores that cause infant botulism; heat does not destroy them
Cow's milk as a main drink	12 months	Hard on developing kidneys and linked to intestinal bleeding before 1 year
Whole grapes, nuts, popcorn, hot dog rounds	Cut or avoid	Round, firm, or hard foods are top choking hazards for babies
Added salt (sodium)	Limit	Young kidneys cannot handle much sodium; sets taste habits early
Added sugar	24 months	No nutritional need; displaces nutrient-dense foods and sets taste habits
Raw or unpasteurized foods	Avoid	Raw milk, soft cheeses, and unpasteurized juice can carry harmful bacteria
Juice and sweet drinks	12 months	Not needed before 1 year; extra sugar and fewer nutrients than whole fruit
High-mercury fish	Avoid	Shark, swordfish, king mackerel, tilefish, bigeye tuna can harm the brain
Rice drink as a main milk	Avoid	Low in protein and fat for a baby; rice can be higher in arsenic, so vary grains

The why behind each one

A closer look at why each food is on the list.

• Honey: It can contain spores of the bacteria that cause infant botulism, a serious illness in babies under 12 months. Baking or cooking does not kill the spores, so honey in any form, including bread, cereal, and home remedies, waits until the first birthday.
• Cow's milk as a drink: Before 12 months it is too high in protein and minerals for a baby's kidneys and is linked to small amounts of intestinal bleeding. Whole-milk yogurt and cheese in solids are fine; the issue is cow's milk as the main drink. Plain whole milk as a drink starts at 12 months.
• Choking hazards: Round, firm, or hard foods can fully block a small airway. Whole grapes, nuts and seeds, popcorn, raw hard vegetables, chunks of meat or cheese, and round slices of hot dog are common culprits. Many are fine once cut very small, quartered lengthwise, or cooked soft, with an adult watching every meal.
• Added salt: A baby's kidneys are still developing and cannot process much sodium. Skip table salt and watch processed and packaged foods, canned items, and deli meats, which are often high in sodium even when they seem mild.
• Added sugar: Babies and toddlers under 24 months have no need for added sugars. Sugary foods take the place of more nutritious ones and can shape a preference for sweet tastes. Check labels on flavored yogurts, snack foods, and drinks.
• Unpasteurized foods: Raw milk, soft cheeses made from raw milk, and unpasteurized juice can carry bacteria that cause severe illness in babies. Choose pasteurized products.
• Juice and sweet drinks: Babies under 12 months should not have fruit or vegetable juice. It adds sugar without the fiber of whole fruit. After the first birthday, keep juice to about 4 oz a day for toddlers and offer whole fruit and water instead.
• High-mercury fish: Mercury can harm a developing brain and nervous system. Avoid shark, swordfish, king mackerel, tilefish, and bigeye tuna. Lower-mercury fish such as salmon, light canned tuna, and pollock can be served well cooked and flaked once your baby is on solids.
• Rice drink as a main milk: Rice-based drinks are too low in protein and fat to replace milk for a baby. Rice can also be higher in arsenic, so it is wise to rotate rice cereal with oatmeal, barley, and multigrain options rather than relying on rice alone.

How to serve foods safely instead

Many foods on this list are not banned forever; they just need the right timing or preparation. Round and firm foods can usually be served if you quarter grapes lengthwise, cut hot dogs into thin lengthwise strips, cook hard vegetables until soft, and thin peanut or other nut butters into puree, cereal, or yogurt rather than offering them by the spoonful.

Always seat your baby upright for meals, stay within arm's reach, and avoid feeding in a moving car or stroller where you cannot watch closely. When you are unsure whether a food is ready for your baby's age and chewing skill, ask your pediatrician.

Reflects CDC infant-toddler nutrition, AAP choking-prevention, and FDA fish and rice-cereal guidance, 2024-2026.

Related questions

Can babies have yogurt and cheese before 1 year?

Yes. Whole-milk yogurt and cheese are fine as part of solids from around 6 months. The rule against cow's milk before 12 months is about using it as the main drink, not about dairy in food. Choose pasteurized, full-fat, unsweetened options.

Why can't babies have honey until 12 months?

Honey can contain spores that cause infant botulism, a serious illness in babies under a year. Baking or cooking does not destroy the spores, so all honey, including honey in baked goods, should wait until after the first birthday.

Are whole grapes really that dangerous?

Whole grapes are one of the most common choking foods because they are round, firm, and the size of an airway. They are safe once cut into small pieces, ideally quartered lengthwise, with an adult watching the meal.

When can babies have juice?

Babies under 12 months should not have juice at all. After the first birthday, juice is still not needed, but if you serve it, keep it to about 4 oz a day for toddlers and offer whole fruit and water more often.

Sources & further reading

1. CDC Infant and Toddler Nutrition — Foods and Drinks to Avoid or Limit
2. AAP HealthyChildren — Choking Prevention for Babies & Children
3. FDA — Advice About Eating Fish
4. FDA — Limit for Inorganic Arsenic in Infant Rice Cereal

This article reflects current AAP, CDC, FDA, and other public-health guidance and is for educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice. ParentFlow is a wellness companion — not a substitute for your pediatrician. For any medical concern, contact your healthcare provider.