feedback for "Parental Advisory: Mealtime"

1. Another concern with allergies is the introduction of cereal as first foods. Now there are apparently some studies that indicate wheat/grains should not be introduced during this immature gut period. The thinking is to start with the green and yellow vegetables first, and wait 3 - 4 days before introducing a new food.
   
   Good places to start are squash, carrots, green beans, peas, etc. Begin with those and then move to the fruits BEFORE the grains. This may alleviate susceptibility to hay fever allergies in the future.

   posted by : NoHo Mom on 6/18/2008 at 10:50 AM Flag For Abuse

2. I could tell my baby was ready for solid foods when she just stared at me while I ate. In the morning, she would follow my coffee cup with her eyes as I brought it from the table to my mouth then back down again. I finally got the hint and bought some rice cereal.
   
   Your first several feedings may only be a couple of bites, but it is super fun to start giving your baby food!

   posted by : Joanie on 6/18/2008 at 2:24 PM Flag For Abuse

3. Agree with NoHo mom that rice is not the best. Maybe try something that you can mash easily without cooking like avocado and banana. I tried that rice cereal and it was terrible--so I vowed I wouldn't give my guy anything i couldn't choke down myself, even that brewer's yeast recommended in Super Baby Food. Feeding baby is fun--it's your chance to acculturate them to social rituals, too. My recommendation is to just have fun with it and don't worry about it too much. Once he's sitting up well you can bring him with you to restaurants and give him a big crust of bread to suck on, or any bit of food that is french fry shaped (long pieces to grab but not so wide as to be able to block the windpipe) and he will play with the food while you get to enjoy your meal. Just go with your gut--you're the mommy and you know what's best.

   posted by : uws on 6/18/2008 at 3:06 PM Flag For Abuse

4. Great article. I fell for the Bfeed only till 6 months thing and was swayed from supplementing with formula by the "you'll make what your baby needs" line. In retrospect I regretted that I didn't supplement with some formula earlier as I just wasn't a big producer (proved as I had to pump twice daily and had such small amounts to bring to daycare for my poor hungry son). So I guess it comes down to educate yourself, but then trust your instincts.

   posted by : Allison on 6/19/2008 at 1:37 AM Flag For Abuse

5. It's not a conspiracy. Like many baby websites, please do your research. Medical text books claim that humans cannot digest solid foods properly, which is why they should not be given to infants before that period. It has little to do with bad water in other parts of the world (which btw is a pretty bold statement to make considering the WHO sets the health standards for the entire world, not just the third world) such stain on the digestive system can cause problems later on, including food allergies and some evidence shows that damage to the digestional tract at such a young age can contribute to learning disorders and a unhealthy immune system. Starting foods early because of issues with iron, is especially rare with breastfed babies because lactose helps with the absorption of iron. Rarely ever do babies get anemia. Low iron levels yes, which should be checked, but a parent does not need to rush to solid foods. Fortified cereals are actually worse, in terms of harming the gut because they are made from hard to digest grains and fortified iron is hard for the body to absorb, breast milk is a better source. If that kind of problem does happen, the best thing to do is have mom and baby on whole food vitamins, not to start the baby on solid foods early and risk harming the digestion tract.
   
   The age range established previously as 4-6 months was based on junk science and had more to do with baby food companies wanting to make money, then any evidence showing it was needed.

   posted by : dhsredhead on 6/19/2008 at 10:09 PM Flag For Abuse