Introducing Solid Foods to Infants When to start solid foods? A full term baby will start requiring iron from sourcesother than breastmilk by 6-9 mos of age. Calories supplied by breastmilk may also become inadequate by 8-9 mos ofage, although some babies can continue to grow well on breastmilk alone pastone year. The best time to start solidfood is when the baby shows an interest in eating and after a tooth has comein. By 6 mos of age babies will usuallybe reaching for food on their parent’s plates. This cue from the baby means it is a reasonable time to start giving thebaby solid foods. Until around 6 mos of age, a baby’s digestive tract is notable to digest most solid foods. Solidfoods given too early may induce food allergies. When introducing foods, only introduce one ata time for a period of 2-4 days and watch for an allergic reaction. These include: Rash around mouth oranus Rednessof face or cheeks Hyperactivity orlethargy Dark circles around eyes Runny nose Infection Diarrhea or mucous in stool Skinreactions (hives) How should solid foods be introduced? It is prudent to avoid highly spiced or highly allergenicfoods at first. Most physicians agreethat cow’s milk, wheat, oranges, corn, strawberries, egg whites, chocolate, andpeanuts are common allergens that should be avoided in the introductorystage. It is best though to onlyintroduce one food at a time, preferably one every 2-4 days while observing forany allergic reactions. Non-allergicfoods should be rotated every 5-6 days to minimize sensitization which mayoccur when the same food is eaten once or twice a day for 5-7 daysconsecutively. There is no need tofollow any specific order of food introduction and no need for a baby to onlyeat one type of food for a certain period of time. Allow the baby to enjoy the foods that he isinterested in and don’t worry about the exact amount that he takes in. Feed solids approximately 1.5-2 hours afterbreastfeeding to ensure that the baby is receiving the majority of theirnutrition from breast milk. It is important to feed your infant the best quality of foodavailable in order to give them the best start in life. Organic, locally grown food is by far thebest choice since it is free of dangerous chemicals and has the highestnutritional content. Second best isfresh produce from the grocery store, washed in a detergent to remove pesticideresidues. Third choice is frozenvegetables. Canned vegetables or fruitare low in nutrients and can contain plastic residue from the can.
A schedule of foodintroduction suggestions compiled by naturopathic physicians is as follows: 6 mos of age Hypoallergenicmashed or pureed foods containing iron carrots blackberries prunes squash broccoli(smallamounts) cherries yam apricots banana cauliflower artichoke organicegg yolk sprouts(blended in water) beets (small amounts) peaches pears applesauce zucchini avocado 8 mos of age Meat is a good source of highly absorbable iron. Organically grown, free range meat isthe healthiest choice. First pureed meats: chicken, turkey, ostrich, beef, veal,lamb, bison, rabbit, venison Later on:liver, kidney, small amounts of fish (low mercury fish are: wild pacificsalmon, croaker, sardines, haddock,tilapia) AVOID: tuna steaks, sea bass, halibut, pike, walleye, largemouth bass,shark, swordfish, tilefish, marlin,white croaker and all shellfish. **Pork is not recommended due to parasites found in pigflesh** 9 mos of age Foods high in zinc andgood for immune system sweetpotato cabbage plums papaya blueberries limabeans stringbeans nectarines potato blackstrap molasses splitpea soup apples mashedpotato peas 12 mos of age Foods high in zincand fibre acornsquash chard cabbage yogurt(whole fat) *rice asparagus parsnips *oatmeal stringbeans *amaranth spirulina *quinoa *It may be possible to introduce grains at 12 mos, althoughsome sources suggest it is best to wait until 18 mos to 2 years of age. Discuss with your ND.
18 mos of age Food high in Bvitamins and calcium tahini kelp onions honey eggplant rutabaga beetsand greens Glutengrains: garlic beans rye/barley/kamut/wheat *Sproutedgrain breads are the healthiest choices* garbanzobeans (flour) buckwheat/spelt/oats
21 mos of age Foods high in protein corn almond/cashew butter goat’smilk walnuts cheese-goat or cow *cow’smilk lentils pineapple *Wholefat milk is best brewer’syeast oranges peanutbutter (sugar free) sunflowerseeds cottagecheese NB: Soybeans,soymilk, and tofu are not recommended due to their high content of phytic acidwhich inhibits the absorption of minerals such as calcium, iron , andzinc. Fermented forms, such as natto,miso, and tempeh are fine in children who are not sensitive to soy products. Additional Tips: -Be relaxed with food introduction, feed baby at mealtimes,and as she becomes a more accomplished eater, offer a greater variety of foodsat one time. -Infant cereal has iron added to it but it is a poorlyabsorbed form of iron and may cause constipation. If the baby doesn’t like infant cereal thereis no need for concern, since there is nothing magical or necessary aboutinfant cereal. -Respect baby’s likes and dislikes. The only essential food is breast milk (or formula). If babydoesn’t like a certain food, wait a few weeks, and then try it again. -Small amounts of unrefined sea salt on baby’s food areessential for brain development. -Add organic, free-range butter or ghee to carbohydratessuch as potatoes, carrots, yams, turnips, etc. Breastmilk contains over 50% of calories as fat and children need thesefats to grow and for optimal brain development. -Discuss the use of fish oil (and cod liver oil in thewintertime) with your ND. -Avoid giving infants fruit juices which are high in fruitsugar and can spoil appetites for more nutritious foods. **This information has been compiled from differentsources and it should be noted that there is much disagreement over when andwhat to introduce to infants. This information is meant only as a guideline.**
References: Fallon,Sally, Nourishing Traditions, New Trends Publishing Inc., Washington,DC, USA, 1999. Marz, R.B.,Medical Nutrition from Marz, 2nd edition, Omni-Press,Portland, Oregon, USA, 1997. Newman,Jack, Dr. Jack Newman’s Guide to Breastfeeding, Harper CollinsPublishers Ltd, Toronto, Canada. 2000. Yaron,Ruth, Super Baby Food, 2nd edition, F.J. Roberts PublishingCompany, Peckville, PA, USA, 1998.
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