(BlackDoctor.org) -- As a new parent, you have a LOT of questions. A common one is what are the best foods for a baby, and what are the best ones to avoid. According to the American Academy of Pediatric, the recommended age for weaning a baby off breast milk or formula is 4-6 months old. After that time, you should gradually introduce new foods.

When you and your baby are ready to take that next step, here's what you should avoid until baby’s first birthday:

Honey

Honey can contain poisonous botulism spores. While an adult’s intestinal tract is strong enough to prevent the growth of these spores, a baby’s system is not, and can produce life-threatening, poisoning toxins.

Peanut Butter

The sticky and thick consistency of peanut butter can make it hard for an infant to swallow. Avoid peanut butter and other thick buttery spreads to your child.

Cow's Milk

Breast milk is the most advised choice until your child is a year old. Babies cannot properly digest the protein in cow’s milk. Also, cow’s milk lacks many nutrients found in breast milk, and contains minerals that could damage a baby's developing kidneys.

Some Other Foods to Avoid

• Salt (baby’s kidneys are not strong enough)
• Low-fat foods (not recommended for kids under 2)
• Undiluted citrus and fruit juices
• Raw eggs
• Artificial sweeteners
• Hot dogs and sausages that are high in fat
• Foods with added spices and seasonings

Choking Hazards

Pea-sized foods are the safest for babies because there's less of a choking hazard. Cut or dice everything you serve your baby, from fruits and vegetables to cheese and meats. Small, hard foods like nuts, popcorn, hard candies, raisins should be avoided as your baby could choke on them. Even soft foods like marshmallows and jelly candies can get stuck in your baby’s throat.

Allergies

Doctors recommend waiting until the age of 1 or later to introduce solid foods that are common allergens, such as foods containing nuts. It’s best to introduce new foods gradually, waiting several days to make sure your baby does not have a bad reaction to the meal. If allergies run in your family, check with your doctor to come up with the best plan for introducing foods like cow’s milk, nuts, wheat, soy, fish and eggs.

Precautions

Never let your baby eat in the car. It is difficult to supervise while driving and it's possible for them to choke on food if the ride becomes bumpy. If using a rub-on teething medication, make sure to keep an eye on your baby’s eating habits because the medication could numb his or her throat and make it hard to swallow.

The Safest Foods To Feed Your Baby

Within the first few weeks of weaning, it’s safest to feed babies pureed foods, like pureed carrots, potatoes, sweet potatoes, cooked apply, banana and pear. Packaged baby foods often contain a lot of sugar, so it’s actually healthiest to puree the food yourself so that you know exactly what’s you're feeding your baby.

By Gemma Greene, BDO Staff Writer