Nitrites can be further reduced by minimizing the time of storage in the refrigerator. Nitrite levels tend to rise when these foods are stored in the refrigerator for one or more days. During the first year, honey must be avoided because it has been known to contain the spores of the botulinum organism which could cause a fatal case of botulism. Before three years of age, children should not receive foods which may cause choking or aspiration. These include round foods that might get caught in the child's throat.
Some examples are whole nuts, large peas or beans, popcorn, grapes or large berries.
Other foods to be aware of are hot dogs cut up in slices that would block the throat or foods which form balls in the mouth such as peanut butter sandwiches. Some parents do not realize that ice cubes will not melt fast enough when stuck in a child's throat and that other foods such as marshmallows can be compressed on the way into the mouth but fill up the throat when swallowed without chewing. Sweets should be monitored because of the impact they have on dental caries and because they may take up space that should be used for more nutritious foods. As soon as teeth erupt, they are vulnerable to dental decay and for this reason the baby's teeth should be brushed or wiped clean with a cloth after meals and before bed. Parents need to know of the consequences of putting a baby to bed with a bottle - especially one which may have contained fruit juice, milk or diluted sweetened drinks.