Who doesn’t love bunnies and babies? Well-meaning and excited friends and family members (and maybe even you) might be thinking about giving baby these holiday treats. It’s hard to resist, but here’s why they totally shouldn’t.
Chocolate Bunny
The March of Dimes recommends keeping baby away from sweets because they can cause tooth decay and add unnecessary calories to baby’s diet. With more tots getting root canals and cavities, it’s a good reason to ditch the sweets for now. Plus, chocolate has a little bit of caffeine in it, which can affect your baby or toddler — he’ll have a sugar high and he’ll be wired from the caffeine.
What to get instead: Fill baby’s Easter eggs with Cheerios or put a jar of pureed carrots in his basket.
Fake Easter Grass
The Consumer Product Safety Commission has warned about the flammability of plastic Easter grass in the past, and although many fake grasses are deemed “nonflammable,” what’s the point in having it in a basket anyway? Baby might end up putting it in his mouth, presenting a choking hazard.
What to get instead: To fill the basket, why not put a onesie or blanket in the bottom?
Small Toys
Little trinkets and toys can also pose a choking hazard for baby. If the toy is small enough to fit inside a paper towel roll, it’s probably too small to give to baby right now. And you’ll want to stay away from putting tiny goodies inside those little plastic Easter eggs until your child is older.
What to get instead: You can still use an Easter egg, but instead of smaller items, put some socks or hair accessories inside for baby.
Yet Another Stuffed Animal
Baby’s room is probably already filled with tons of stuffed animals. Does he really need another plush bunny or chick?
What to get instead: Fill baby’s basket with new bedtime book, coloring book or educational DVD from Baby Einstein or Baby Genius.
Peeps
Those marshmallow puffs are a little too sweet for baby. Plus, marshmallows can be a choking hazard because they’re a soft and round food product that can easily get stuck in baby’s throat. Stay away from them and also products like popcorn, nuts, whole grapes and other easily ingestible foods that could get lodged in baby’s throat — unless you want to be the one who’s eating them from baby’s basket.
What to get instead: Get baby some crackers or other healthy snacks, like pureed fruit or some yogurt. If you don’t want to give baby food, how about a fun toy like a set of building blocks, a set of stackable cups in pastel colors or a pair of adorable bunny ears (cute photo op alert!)?
