Article as seen in Issue 10 Of Home Grown – Parenting in the North

Photo Submitted by Chantal Warren.

Contrary to what most believe, pediatricians are now acknowledging that baby’s first food should be a single vegetable or low sugar fruit, such as Avocado, sweet potato, or butternut squash. This is because these foods contain Vitamins, minerals and fats essential to a growing babies needs, and they are easy for baby to digest.

Is Baby Ready?
How do you know if your baby is ready to take those first few bites?
Baby is 4-6 months old.
Loss of tongue thrust motion. This is what helps prevent baby from choking before he/she is 4 months old.
Ability to let you know by turning head that he/she is full from the meal. Does he/she turn his/her head away from the bottle or breast when full?
Hold head unassisted.
Waking in the middle of the night more than usual. Please be aware that there is a growth spurt between 3-4 months of age, and baby will wake up often at that point too.

Introducing Solids
It is recommended that you wait until baby is 6 months of age, Until then babies digestive systems are unable to digest food properly. Ideally babies should have nothing but breast milk for the first 6 months of life.
It is important to introduce one food at a time, and continue with that food for 3-4 days before introducing a second food. This will help detect any allergies that baby may have.
Feed baby its first meals after baby wakes up, not before baby goes to bed. This way if baby has an allergic reaction to the food then you will be right there to see and react.
Stay calm, and happy. If baby refuses to take the food or does not react the way you expected don’t worry, put it away and try again another time.

It is recommended that babies not be started on solids until 6 months of age, however some babies seem to be ready at 4 months.
CEREALS
Rice and oatmeal are the least allergenic of the cereals, try making your own by grinding up the rice/oats in a blender, magic bullet, or food processor.  You do not have to start with cereal though, try avocado or sweet potato instead. Rice cereal may cause constipation.
FRUITS
Avocado and banana’s are great introductory foods and never need to be cooked. After baby is 8 months, he/she can handle most raw fruit.
VEGGIES
Veggies should always be cooked up until baby is 12 months old. Make sure that veggies are nice and soft so that baby does not choke.
PROTEIN
Always cook meat through. Do not give baby any meat or fish that is rare or uncooked. Delay the introductory of meat for babies. Chicken, Turkey and Tofu can be introduced after 6 months.
DAIRY
Don’t replace breast milk or formula until after 12 months of age babies need dairy.  Cows milk should not be introduced until 12 months of age, when introducing cows milk be sure to use homogenized milk not skim or 2%. There are other alternatives to cows milk, Goats milk is the closest to human breast milk and is easier on babies digestive system. Do not remove milk from babies diet, you can introduce a lower percent milk at 2 years of age.

RECIPE
6 month+
Avocado
This is a GREAT first food to introduce.
Baby will not eat lots of avocado, use the excess in a salad.
Vitamins:  A, C, Niacin, Folate
Minerals: Potassium, Phosphorus, Iron, Magnesium, Calcium

1. Cut avocado in half, lengthwise around the pit.
2. Slice into segments, then scoop out the meat.
3. Mash with fork.
4. To make thinner add breast milk.
5. Feed to baby.

Constipated baby?
Remember the four P’s Pears, Peaches Prunes, Plums, as well as Apricots, Spinach and Peas.
They all contain high fiber. Remember to give baby lots to hydrate, breast milk, or water.

Baby’s got the poops?
Remember the BRAT diet. The BRAT diet helps relieve diarrhea by firming up stools.
Banana’s
Rice
Apple Sauce
Toast
“It is important to always consult your baby’s pediatrician when baby has had diarrhea for 2 days(or longer) and his or her skin does not “spring-back” when gently pushed. The inability of the skin to “spring-back” suggests baby may be suffering from dehydration.”

QUESTIONS:

What did you feed your baby first?

Related articles

• Introducing Your Baby to Solid Foods (enfamil.com)
• Your Infant’s Digestive System (enfamil.com)
• Baby Led Weaning (happymommyhappybaby.wordpress.com)
• Whole Proteins: Close to the Breast (enfamil.com)
• Baby Feeding (signsforpregnancy.wordpress.com)