Is Sugar Bad For Your Baby?
What Are The Effects Of Giving Sugar To An Infant?
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for infants from birth to 6 months of age, as it sees in breast milk a whole nutritional choice for babies this age. Indeed, breast milk contains, in addition to vitamins, minerals and other necessary nutrients for babies’ growth and physical and motor development, a good amount of antibodies and enzymes that support little ones’ immune systems and help them fight infections and illnesses.
As the name implies, exclusive breastfeeding requires from mothers not to offer their babies any other food but milk, including sugar. But, have you ever thought about the cause or the risk behind babies’ consumption of small amounts of sugar?
As you know, sugar in itself is not a real nutritious food, but an additive food, a sweetener that is needed just to give food some taste. For babies under 6 months old, sugar is not an option, especially that the milk they nurse from their mothers’ breasts, provides them with their need of natural sugar; so, why harm babies’ health and put it at the following risks?
- Sugar suppresses the immune system, leading to a drop in blood sugar levels, tiredness and lack of energy.
- Sugar reduces body tissues’ flexibility and function.
- Sugar damages baby teeth that start appearing between 4 and 8 months after birth.
- Sugar increases a baby’s risk to put on too much weight, and thus developing type-2 diabetes, heart diseases and some types of cancer.
- Sugar affects baby flavor preferences and makes him more into sweet textures and tastes, making it hard on the mother to get him introduced to different healthy solid foods later on.
So, keep your baby away from sugar side effects until he’s sixth month old. And when time comes for weaning, introduce your little one to sugar in its natural not commercial form, i.e. the sugar found naturally in fruits and some types of veggies and meats. Avoid as much as possible the types of food and drinks with added sugars, at least until your baby is one year old!
Read More: Foods To Avoid In A Baby’s First Year
Related articles
Breastfeeding hunger & fullness cues
Depending on her level of hunger, your baby’s cues may become very obvious to you.
2 mins to read
What You Need To Know About Your Child’s Immune System
How To Boost Your Child's Immune System The Right Way?
3 mins to read
Role Of Breastfeeding In Allergy Prevention
Breastfeeding May Lower Allergy Risk!
2 mins to read
Should Babies Be Exposed To Germs?
How Germs Can Be Your Child's Best Friend!
3 mins to read
What Can I Do To Keep My Baby Safe During Sleep?
Safe Sleeping For Babies
2 mins to read
Activities To Do With Your Infant
Activities For Babies: 0 to 6 Months
2 mins to read
Eczema In Children
Atopic Dermatitis: Causes, Signs and Treatment
2 mins to read
Activities To Boost Cognitive Development
Play And Cognitive Development
2 mins to read
How Long Do Babies Carry Their Mother’s Immunity?
Passive Immunity 101
2 mins to read
Smart Ways To Use Pacifiers
How Should You Use A Dummy?
2 mins to read
Myths About Babies And The Development Of Speech
Fact Or Fiction?
2 mins to read
My breast milk: the best kind of food
Breast milk contains everything: it meets the nutritional needs of a new-born child, and its composition changes with the passage of months and with the change of the child's needs.
3 mins to read
My breast milk: top of the class for nutrition
Breast milk has everything going for it: it meets my newborn baby's nutritional needs perfectly and changes its composition as the months go by and my baby's needs change.
2 mins to read
How can I make sure my baby sleeps well?
When will my baby sleep through the night? Is it normal for my baby to wriggle when sleeping?
3 mins to read
Finding out why babies cry
Wondering why babies cry? If you’re struggling to understand what your baby is trying to tell you, check this list for possible clues to help.
2 mins to read
How to top and tail a newborn
Some babies love having a bath, while others need time to get used to it. For the first few weeks or so, you may want to top and tail baby instead.
2 mins to read
Baby allergies and intolerances
Baby allergies and intolerances can develop at any time. An allergy is our immune system’s reaction to a substance it thinks is harmful.
3 mins to read
Signs of baby blues
Wondering how to know if I have postnatal depression? You’ve just birthed a human, your whole has been turned upside down, and you haven’t slept for what feels like an age.
4 mins to read
Breast milk helps protect babies from diseases during infancy
Breast milk is the ideal food for babies in the first six months and sets the best possible foundation for a healthy life.
2 mins to read
