Is it safe? · by category
Infant feeding and first foods
Formula preparation and storage, starting solids, egg and peanut introduction, honey, juice, and cow's milk: when and how, with the evidence for each.
- Evidence summary
How long can you store opened or homemade baby food?
Baby-food storage depends on whether the food is unopened, freshly prepared or already touched by the feeding spoon.
- Evidence summary
Can babies have cow's milk before age one?
Cow’s milk should not replace breast milk or infant formula as a baby’s main drink before twelve months.
- Evidence summary
What can parents do about heavy metals in baby food?
Heavy metals can reach baby-food ingredients through soil, water and processing, so neither homemade nor packaged food is automatically free of them.
- Evidence summary
Why should babies avoid honey before age one?
Honey should not be given to a baby younger than twelve months, including honey added to food, water or a pacifier.
- Evidence summary
Preparing infant formula during a water advisory
Infant formula during a water advisory requires a safe water source and clean feeding supplies. Ready-to-feed liquid avoids a mixing step.
- Evidence summary
How to prepare and store infant formula safely
Infant formula preparation starts with clean hands and equipment, safe water, and the exact label proportions. Measure water before powder.
- Evidence summary
How do you introduce egg to a baby?
Egg can join other complementary foods when a baby is developmentally ready, usually around six months.
- Evidence summary
When and how can you introduce peanut to a baby?
Introducing peanut is usually part of starting complementary foods, using a smooth, thinned preparation rather than whole nuts or a sticky spoonful.
- Evidence summary
Which iron-rich foods can babies eat when starting solids?
Iron-rich foods become an important part of a baby’s diet as solids begin around six months.
- Evidence summary
When can babies have juice?
Juice is not recommended as a routine drink before twelve months, and it is unnecessary after that.
- Caution
Is paced bottle feeding safe while breastfeeding?
Paced bottle feeding lets the infant help set a feed’s pace through pauses and hunger or fullness cues.
- Evidence summary
When can a baby start solid foods?
Starting solids usually makes sense around six months, when a baby can hold their head steady, sit with support and swallow food instead of pushing it out.
- Evidence summary
How much vitamin D does a breastfed baby need?
Breastfed and partly breastfed babies generally need 400 IU of vitamin D daily starting shortly after birth.
- Evidence summary
When can babies drink water, and how much?
Water can be introduced in small amounts around six months when complementary foods begin. Before then.