Someone asked me to post about what to introduce and when into a baby's diet. As it happens, very strangely, my sister just brought me all the medical records that my mother saved from when I was born. How crazy. So, I have this record of the sad things they did to me from the time I was a month old.
Yes, the vaccinated me at that young age (uhhh), and they started giving me food, yes, food in addition to breast milk at ONE MONTH! They gave me some kind of soft rice breakfast cereal, and OMG added…SUGAR. It didnt get better from there.
Even these days, pediatricians often recommend rice cereals when it is time to give the baby something more solid than breast milk. I suppose that isn't the worst thing if you dismiss the presence of arsenic in the rice. However, I think that it may be better to introduce veggies, fruit, and sweet potato. One at a time and then adding together. I think adding in grains is ok, but shouldn't be the main focus at all. I like things like carrot sweet potato, carrot, peas, heavier starchy foods that are not grains because they are packed with vitamins and filling but not grains. So, they will not agitate the elicate nature of the intestines at that age. Combining animal protein red meat, chicken, and turkey, maybe fish of course pureed like everything else, with these foods is also important to create a balance from the beginning. I think from early on it is best to try and give the pallet a balanced taste so babies get used to eating in that was as they grow.
Many people add in foods slowly to watch for allergic reactions. I was not that careful personally, but, if you are worried about that, it does make sense to only add in a new food every three days to be sure.
I think not making things a big deal increases the liklihood of them not becoming big deals. Also, whatever you decide to do–watch your child carefully-mood, poop, pee, energy, sleep. Those changes will be what makes you decide if what you are doing is correct for your little one. You know best when it comes to that.
Just a heads up for new moms-when the hit school-the pier pressure of other children whos mothers do not feel like you do becomes fierce. So, try to get the best foundation in place and hope that will make it easier to guide your little ones to healthy choices:)
Dr.M & B
