Can Babies Eat Other Foods?
It depends entirely on which one. This is the catch all category: grains such as rice, seeds, dishes, drinks, condiments and sweeteners, plus the short list of things that are genuinely off limits. Some are ideal first foods, some wait until two, and three or four are hard no. Each has a badge below showing when it can start.
1y+Honeyit's important to wait until your baby turns
6m+Spicy Foodis food containing seasoning with 
2y+ChocolateIf your child does not show symptoms of
18y+Alcoholkeep them out of your children’s reach
1y+Mustardimproves digestion thanks to the antioxidants
1y+Oysterscan be consumed raw, smoked, baked,
6m+Chia Seedsis necessary for your baby’s health to soak
1y+Mushroomsare composed of water, some carbs, proteins and
1y+Saltis a mineral composed mainly of sodium
2y+Maple Syrupis usually used as a condiment in pancakes or
4y+Popcornis usually cooked with oil or butter
6m+Strawberriesare high in sugar and in vitamin C
1y+Xylitolis a food additive and a sugar substitute
6m+Vinegaris a watery solution of acetic acid
2y+Sugaris the definition for any soluble carbs 
6m+Peascan be classified as garden, sugar and
7m+Breadstart giving your baby bread at the age of
6m+Flourhas its beneficial effect on a baby’s diet
6m+Eggshave always been important foods for humans
6m+Riceis a seed and the most widely consumed
6m+Muffinscan refer to two different products: a flatbread
6m+Noodlesare popular foods, made from unleavened dough
6m+Oatmealreduces the levels of blood cholesterol
6m+Oatscontain carbs, dietary fibers, fats and
8m+French Toastcan be given to babies as finger food starting
6m+Pancakescan be healthier, if you make them from
6m+Pastaare classified in two main categories
2y+Donutsare all deep fried from a flour dough
2y+Jamis also a source for sugar, which makes it unhealthy
6m+Toastis bread, which was browned by toasting
6m+Falafelrepresent an excellent choice for finger
6m+Oreganois a culinary herb, used mostly in its dried
1y+Prawnsis used to identify small aquatic crustaceans
6m+Flax Seedsare a great source for fiber, which help
6m+Indian Foodin limited quantities at the age of 8 – 10 months. Spices
6m+Herbsis an excellent way to offer them interesting
6m+Nutmegis high in dietary fibers, and contains
1y+Jellyis actually a simple fruit juice transformed into a
6m+Vealis the meat of calves. It can be
1y+Mayohas calories, fat, but also vitamins E and K, and
6m+Tomato Saucewas first mentioned by a Spanish friar
6m+Guacamoleare easily made, and can be altered according
6m+Turmericis a flowering plant of the ginger
6m+Hemp Seedsare an excellent source for protein, omega fatty
6m+Hummusat the age of 6 months, once you start introducing
6m+Idliis a nutritious dish, which can be served starting at
1y+Marmite is salty, that is why parents should carefully
6m+Gritsoffer a good change, being slightly different
6m+Vanillais a spice obtained from the pods of
6m+Noriis the Japanese definition for edible
9m+Quesadillasis a type of taco dish, made from 
6m+Seaweedor macroalgae is marine algae. Some
9m+Quicheis a French tart containing a pastry crust
8m+Tofuis made by coagulating soy milk and
2y+Erythritolis an artificial sugar substitutes for
5y+Sushiis a traditional Japanese dish made of
1y+Vegemiteis a thick, dark brown, spreadable
1y+Vodka Sauceis a sauce composed of a smooth tomato
2y+Quorn Sausageis made from Quorn, which is a mycoprotein
2y+Quornvegan burgers, vegan sausage rolls and
6m+Yeastis a single-celled microorganism belonging 
6m+Kodiak Cakesis the name of a brand of pancakes, fruit syrup
1y+Kimchiis a staple food in Korea. Small amounts can be
8m+Nattois a traditional Japanese food made from
6m+Zaataris an herb used in cuisines, but it
2y+Jaggeryor any kind of sugar into your baby’s diet only after
Zincis a chemical element and an essential
Too MuchThere are many common signs of overfeeding
In Car Seatis designed in order to protect children
6m+Otherthat can't be categorized as fruits, vegetablesThe genuine hard rules
Most feeding advice is about preference and preparation, down to which herbs you cook with. A small number of things are firm:
Never, or not before 12 months
- Honey, not before 12 months, because of infant botulism, and cooking does not help
- Alcohol, never, at any age in childhood
- Raw shellfish, not for young children at all
- Raw and undercooked flour and dough, because of E. coli
- Undercooked kidney beans, which contain a natural toxin
- Whole nuts and popcorn, choking risks until about 4 years
Sugar, salt and sweeteners
Several pages in this category share one theme, which is that a food can be perfectly safe and still not belong in a baby's diet. Added sugar is not recommended before 24 months, whether it arrives as jam or as a sweetener such as xylitol, and salt should not be added at all in the first year. That covers a lot of ground:
| Group | Examples | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Added sugars | Sugar, maple syrup, jaggery, jam | Avoid under 24 months |
| Sweeteners | Xylitol, erythritol | Avoid under 24 months |
| Salty staples | Salt, Marmite, pickles, soy sauce | No added salt under 12 months |
| Stimulants | Chocolate, caffeine | Avoid under 24 months |
| Aromatic spices | Turmeric, cumin, oregano, ginger | Fine from 6 months |
| Chilli heat | Jalapenos, chilli powder | Wait until after 12 months |
Added sugar guidance follows the CDC recommendation to avoid it entirely before age two. Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
How to read the badges
Each card above carries the age that food can usually start. A blue badge means 6 to 11 months, so it fits into early weaning. A red badge means 12 months or later, which is generally either salt, added sugar, a choking risk or a specific safety concern. Tapping through to the article explains which, since the reasons differ enormously.
A few entries are not foods at all but topics, including overfeeding, zinc and feeding in a car seat. Those are worth reading regardless of what is on the plate.
Check the label rather than the category: more than anywhere else on this site, the products in this section vary enormously between brands. Two veggie burgers, two pancake mixes or two jars of tomato sauce can differ several fold in salt and sugar. Where a page says to read the packet, that is doing real work.
Other foods FAQ
Which foods should babies never have?
Three are genuine hard rules rather than preferences. Honey is unsafe before 12 months because of infant botulism, and cooking does not make it safe. Alcohol is never appropriate at any age in childhood. And raw or undercooked shellfish, eggs and flour carry infection risks a baby handles badly.
When can babies have added sugar and salt?
Added sugar is best avoided until 24 months, and salt should not be added at all before 12 months. Babies under a year are limited to less than 1 g of salt a day in total, which everyday foods like bread and cheese already use up. Both have their own detailed guides.
Which grains are best for a baby?
Oats are the standout first grain: soft when cooked, decent iron, rarely allergenic. Beyond that, rice, bread, pasta and fermented grain dishes like idli all work from 6 months. Vary them rather than relying on rice at every meal, because of trace arsenic in rice.
Are baby snack products worth buying?
Some are useful, many are marketing. Puffed corn and rice snacks made for babies genuinely dissolve in the mouth, which is the right texture. Products like veggie straws are essentially crisps with vegetable powder for colour, and do not count as a vegetable portion.
Sources
- Foods and Drinks for 6 to 24 Month Olds, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Weaning and feeding, NHS.
- FoodData Central, U.S. Department of Agriculture.
This article is general information, not medical advice. Every baby is different. Talk to your doctor, health visitor or paediatrician about your own baby, and about starting solids or any allergy concerns.
