An end to the 1-year-old’s smash cake? No!

The website dietaryguidelines.gov is the federal government’s one-stop shop for citizens with questions about what to put in their bellies. Near the end of 2020, the site published its first set of dietary guidelines for infants and tots under the age of 2.

The bite-size takeaways: human milk for the first six months along with supplemental Vitamin D, nutrient-dense foods and some potential allergens beginning at 6 months, limits on sodium, and avoid altogether foods with added sugars until 24 months.

That’s right. No extra sugars before the second birthday.

No cake. No candy. No ice cream. And no smash cake for the baby turning 1 year old.

These new, well- intentioned guidelines have arrived amid rising levels of childhood obesity in the U.S., where about 17% of children are obese, according to a 2019 study in Global Pediatric Health. The guidelines’ authors point out that “the nutrient requirements for infants and young children are quite high relative to their size, but the amount of complementary foods they consume is small.” In other words, there isn’t room for non-nutritious food in an infant’s diet. The authors also point out that this stage of life can begin setting habits and taste preferences that can lead to unhealthy preferences later in life.

Given the numerous other factors and predictors for childhood obesity, denying tots the occasional tasty treat seems too bitter a pill to swallow, not to mention ineffective in the long run. Parents should read the guidelines and heed them with a dash of salt.

Children are born with a sweet tooth, but they are not typically born overweight. They can become overweight due to a wide variety of factors, learned and innate. Some of the predictors for childhood obesity range from high maternal body mass index prior to conception, infants’ body weight between 8 months and 18 months, lack of physical activity and lack of sufficient sleep in infancy. Genetics can play a role.

Far more important than worrying about an occasional sweet is teaching moderation. Many studies build the case that early-life exposure to foods can impact health in adulthood even decades down the road, but these studies typically cite excessive intake as the cause, not the odd intermittent indulgence.

After all, even nutrient-dense foods have different flavor compositions, some sweeter than others. Infants will be able to discern the difference, and a predilection for sweetness is nearly universal among babies from all corners of the globe.

Just because a baby smiles adorably when fed sugar isn’t a good reason to do so. Parents should, of course, prioritize their children’s health and weight over their kids’ loudly wailed preferences. Still, a bit of sugar here and there isn’t cause for alarm and can make an infant’s day, brightening the world around them. No end to the smash cake. It’s tradition.