Starting Solids -Part 1
Getting Started
So when do you start introducing solids? Do you start with purees or can you do baby-led weaning with bigger pieces of whole foods? What about doing a mix of both? What foods do you begin with? Do you need to wait before starting certain foods if there is a history of allergies in your family? These are some of the questions I often get asked by parents when they are starting the process of introducing solids to their baby.
There are so many options, opinions, questions that it can feel overwhelming knowing where to start. In Part 1 of this blog post I will focus on busting some myths, look at what the current evidence says, and explain why the mineral iron is so important for babies.
These are general guidelines and by no means should be taken as medical advice. I always encourage parents to speak with a Registered Dietitian (RD) on any food or nutrition inquiries. These health professionals are regulated in Canada and are the experts when it comes to healthy eating. A great website to check out is www.unlockfood.ca for additional evidence based information.
Common held beliefs (& myths)
Let’s start with reviewing some of the common held beliefs by the general public & even some health professionals on this topic.
Foods should be introduced in a specific order, for example: Cereals, Vegetables, Fruits, and Meats. First foods must be pureed.
Complimentary feeding should begin at 4 months of age, or when the baby seems “interested” (watching you while you eat for example)
You should wait a few days before trying another food to ensure there are no food allergies.
Have you been told this? The information above is out-dated and is still often recommended because “we’ve always done it that way”.
So what does the evidence say about complimentary feeding?
The World Health Organization (WHO) has spent many years researching and making recommendations to countries various health organizations (Health Canada for example) in regard to this topic and others. WHO looks at issues from a global perspective not just what is done in North America; where media & baby food/formula companies have a vested interest in this field.
WHO is very clear on recommendations when it comes to breastfeeding and complimentary feeding: “WHO recommends mothers worldwide to exclusively breastfeed infants for the child's first six months to achieve optimal growth, development and health. Thereafter, they should be given nutritious complementary foods and continue breastfeeding up to the age of two years or beyond”. As you likely noted no mention about beginning solids at 4 months was suggested.
The Canadian Pediatric Society (CPS) also agrees with this statement and supports exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life with continued breastfeeding for up to two years and beyond. If you are formula feeding your baby they will require formula for nutrition until they are between 9 to 12 months old. Homogenized (3.25% milk fat) cow’s milk can be introduced after 9 months of age as long as the baby is regularly consuming a variety of iron rich foods.
What’s the big deal about Iron?
Iron deficiency in children under the age of two affects brain development and can lead to learning difficulties. In short, we need our babies to eat iron rich foods to help their brains develop so they can learn well.
At around six months of age, a baby’s iron stores start to deplete. When solid foods are first introduced they should be iron-rich.
Although fortified infant cereals are iron rich, there are many other suitable choices that can be offered such as: meats, beans, eggs, tofu, lentils, dark leafy greens, nut butters.
Begin by offering iron rich foods once-twice daily in a consistency that baby can tolerate. A question I often get as an IBCLC is, “Doesn't my milk have iron in it?" The short answer is yes, but not enough for the brain building needs after the first 6 months of life.
There are actually two forms of iron. Heme-iron (animal source) and non-heme iron (plant source). Our bodies absorb heme-iron easily, but plant based iron foods like in vegetarian or vegan diets can be enough, with a little meal planning. Eating plant based sources of iron with a food also high in vitamin C helps our bodies absorb iron better. Think about a spinach salad (iron) with strawberries (high vitamin C). If you plan on feeding your baby a vegetarian or vegan diet please speak with a registered dietitian to ensure your baby’s nutrient needs can be easily met.
What’s next?
Stayed tuned for Part 2 of my blog, where I’ll discuss the physical signs of readiness to look for in your baby before beginning, the “how to” (baby-led vs traditional purees), and the current recommendations around food allergies.
Resources
http://www.caringforkids.cps.ca/handouts/feeding_your_baby_in_the_first_year
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/statements/2011/breastfeeding_20110115/en/index.html
http://www.unlockfood.ca/en/default.aspx
https://www.cps.ca/en/documents/position/allergenic-solids
Conclusion
Need further support with your baby’s feeding, sleep or any parenting concern? Reach out to me for a virtual consult by clicking on booking page.
About the Author
Camilla Aviss is a Registered Nurse in Ontario, Canada and an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC).