Key takeaways: The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend avoiding added sugars for children under 2. Babies also don’t need added salt; their kidneys are still maturing and they get enough sodium from breast milk, formula, and foods. Skip salty processed foods, juice, and sweets. Season family meals lightly and take your baby’s portion out before adding salt.
Babies are learning tastes that can shape their preferences. Limiting salt and sugar helps.
Sugar
- Avoid added sugars for children under 2, according to the Dietary Guidelines.
- Juice isn’t recommended before 12 months, according to the AAP.
- Natural sugars in whole fruits are fine.
- Honey must be avoided before 12 months due to botulism risk, even in baked goods.
Where Added Sugar Hides
- Flavored yogurts.
- Teething biscuits and baby snacks.
- Some pouches and cereals.
- Sauces and condiments.
Check labels for “added sugars.”
Salt
- Babies need very little sodium. Breast milk and formula provide what they need, plus small amounts in foods.
- Don’t add salt to baby food.
- High-sodium foods to limit: processed meats, canned soups, salty cheeses, chips, and many restaurant foods.
The UK’s National Health Service advises that babies under 12 months have less than 1 gram of salt a day and shouldn’t have salt added to food.
Sharing Family Meals
- Cook without salt, then remove your baby’s portion before seasoning.
- Use herbs and spices for flavor.
- Choose low-sodium canned goods and rinse beans.
The Bottom Line
Skip added sugar and salt in the first year. Use herbs and spices instead, and read labels.
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Sources
- U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Dietary Guidelines for Americans: infants and toddlers. https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov
- Heyman MB, Abrams SA; Section on Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition; Committee on Nutrition. Fruit juice in infants, children, and adolescents: current recommendations. Pediatrics. 2017;139(6):e20170967.
- National Health Service (UK). Foods to avoid giving babies and young children. https://www.nhs.uk
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice. Always talk with your baby’s health care provider or your own provider about your specific situation. If you think your baby or you may have a medical emergency, call 911.
