1. Never leave your baby alone with food. Stay close during feeding time, and know how to handle a choking baby.

2. Don't give your baby nuts, hot dogs, pretzel sticks, chips, raw carrots and other items that could cause choking. Give your baby foods that are mashed, pureed, or easily dissolve in baby's mouth (like Ritz crackers).

3. Never give honey to a child under 12 months of age. Some pediatricians even recommend waiting until your child is more than 18 months old.

4. Be careful with common allergens such as peanut butter, orange juice, eggs, corn and wheat. If your family has a history of allergies, speak to your pediatrician about what solids you might avoid and for how long.

5. Don't store uneaten portions of food in the fridge - throw them out. Saliva from your baby's mouth can cause bacteria to grow in unused portions of food.

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