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chocolate, tomato, pineapple, and citrus (orange, grapefruit, etc.) are allergy
producing and should be avoided in the first year. Food allergies are serious
and can be life threatening. If you suspect your child has developed a food
allergy, do not give him any more of this type of food until you have discussed it
with your pediatrician. Remember to advise other people who may care for and
feed your infant of these food restrictions.

D. MAJOR PITFALLS TO AVOID IN INFANT FEEDING
1. Do not put anything other than liquid in a bottle for your baby unless

specifically instructed to do so by your physician. Adding cereal or other

foods to the bottle is undesirable.

2. Never put your baby to bed with a bottle. This may lead to choking in a
small infant and can lead to severe dental decay by eroding the tooth
enamel. All types of formula, milk and juice contain sugar which promotes
the tooth decay.

3. Don't feed your baby by propping the bottle. Your baby should be more
upright when feeding. Propping the bottle denies your baby the affection
and caressing you are able to give while holding your baby to bottle feed.
Also, having your baby in a lying down position while drinking actually
promotes ear infections.

4. DO NOT USE HONEY in the first year of life. Honey may contain bacteria
which cause botulism, a poison to the nervous system.

5. Start to wean your baby to a cup no later than 9 months old. This is an easy
time because your baby will enjoy a new way of drinking. Don't worry that
he spills a lot. It will occur at any age when the cup is first introduced. Also,
no emotional ties to the bottle have occurred by this age and the transition
to the cup is much easier.

IV. FEEDING TODDLERS AND CHILDREN
As many of you know, feeding a child can be a blood pressure raising event.
That small, wonderful baby who seemed willing to eat anything has suddenly
decided that macaroni and cheese is the only food in the world or that there is
just not enough time to stop and eat. A few areas of concern are discussed.

A. WHOLE MILK
1. General Information

Milk is a nutritious drink that is well liked and tolerated by most children. Milk
should not be introduced until the child is one year old and is best introduced
only in a cup so the child doesn't associate the new flavor with a bottle
(remember, we recommend that you have your baby weaned from the bottle to
the cup by this age).

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