Basics of Food Introduction

When it comes time to introduce solids to your little one, it can be confusing! There is so much information out there, and it's hard to know where to start, or when to start! So here are some of the basics!

When to start: Though some practitioners may recommend beginning little ones on
foods around 4 mos, I would recommend pushing off until as close to 6 mos as possible. Babies' digestive tracts are still developing but are almost fully matured around 6 mos. By delaying food intro until then, can help reduce the risk of developing food sensitivities. However, it's also important to follow babies lead. We introduced solids at 5.5 mos after many cues from Lily that she was ready, my favourite, opening her mouth along with our bites!

What to start with: This is probably the most confusing part of food intro! And there is lots of info.....

• Start with Cereals?: Though it has become common practice to recommend starting babies on Iron Fortified Cereals as early as 4 mos, I wouldn't recommend this. Not only because I find 4 mos is quite early, but also because grains are one of the most common food allergens and should be delayed until at least a year. But what if you use rice cereal you ask? Most of the commercially available cereals, even rice, contain cow's milk in some form, whether in the liquid recommended to mix in but also right in the cereal in the water-mix ones. Cow's milk is also one of the most common allergens, especially among infants and children, it's introduction should definitely be delayed until at least a year. Cow's milk is also full of solutes that tend to pull water from baby, and can add to dehydration. This is the reason why if baby develops diarrhea, formula-fed babies are recommended to have water, while breastfed babies can just continue having breast milk. It also interferes with iron absorption. Having said that, for the moms who have to use formula, this can't always be accomplished, but even with formula it's a good idea to try and use alternative formulas like rice to help decrease the exposure.

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• Don't Introduce Fruit First: I have heard this recommendation first hand, that if you introduce fruit first, baby will develop a sweet tooth and won't want vegetables. The truth is, baby already has a sweet tooth, as breast milk is extremely sweet (most mom's probably already know this first hand....). Though I wouldn't recommend only introducing fruits, as I find vegetables are healthier choices all around, it's not something that needs to be avoided by any means. Apples and pears are great first fruit options. We alternated veggies and fruits to start and then focused more on vegetables, and on the sweeter vegetables, like sweet potatoes. Babies will want what they want. If they shy away from vegetables but love fruits, try mixing them together (but only after they are introduced individually!)

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• Introduce One at a Time: Introducing one food at a time can be very important. It allows you to see how baby responds to each food and if they have any issues with them, like constipation (broccoli caused this for my daughter). Pick a food, give it once a day for 3-4 days and watch for any changes such as diarrhea, constipation, irritability, rashes, etc. Once the food has been introduced and there was no reaction, you can start mixing foods together to created more exciting meals!
• What about Iron?: One of the reasons cereals are recommended to be introduced is because iron levels can start to drop off as baby ages. Most babies are born with enough stores to last them 6 mos, but anemia can occur after that. The best sources of iron is through breast milk. Though breast milk contains a small amount, it is very absorbable!  Even after beginning solids, the best source of iron for baby is breast milk, however, focusing on iron-rich foods, like sweet potatoes, kale, beets or adding some blackstrap molasses can help increase iron levels. As a plus, the vitamin C in vegetables helps with iron absorption as well!

How to Start: When baby seems ready pick a day and plan it out.

• Pick a food to start with, sweet potatoes are a great option, sweet, creamy and easy to digest.
• Feed baby one food at a time for 3-4 days, watch for any reactions.
• Start with feeding baby solids once a day for the first month, then increase to twice a day for another month and then three times a day by around 8 mos. Afternoon is one of the best times to start feeding solids, this way if there is a reaction it will likely happen in the evening instead of during the night while everyone is sleeping.
• Remember even once solids are started, babies' main source of nutrition should still be breast milk (or formula) and at first solids are mainly a way to introduce new tastes and textures. Breastfeeding is best to be done for at least a year, two is even better!
• Allow baby to lead how much they eat. Some may eat only a few bites, while others a 1/4 cup in a sitting, and this can change from day to day, let them decide.
• If at first baby doesn't seem to like a food, try again another day. Sometimes it takes a bit for them to get used to a different flavour. However, if they don't warm up after a couple tries, respect it and maybe try again a few weeks later. Just like adults, babies' tastes can change.
• After a few foods have been introduced, try mixing them together to create new flavours! Add fresh herbs and spices to add complexity and develop their palate!
• Make sure to choose organic foods since babies' tiny systems can be extra sensitive to chemicals and pesticides and less able to eliminate them.
• Avoid introducing foods that tend to be allergenic until at least a year, such as cow's milk/dairy, eggs, fish, strawberries and wheat.
• If you can, make your own baby food, that way you can control what goes into it....more to come on the benefits of making your own baby food....
• Once baby begins solids, start offering water. Avoid offering juice as there is really no nutritional value in it. Let them get a taste for water now.
• And most of all, make it a fun experience! This is your chance to start baby on foods that will benefit their health for years to come

Disclaimer: Naturopathic Doctors strive to provide individualized health care. The information contained in these topics is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, it is provided for educational purposes only. This information shouldn’t take the place of seeing an ND for individualized health recommendations.