By Medina Blanchet Dietetic Intern

Carefully introducing solid foods to infants can help assure that they will be healthy and happy!

 Not completely developed until about age 2  Digestive system accounts for about 70% of immune system  Introducing foods too early can cause food sensitivities and allergies

Ideally, babies should only have breast milk until they are 6 months old because it …. Is easy to digest Has exact nutrients baby needs Fortifies the baby’s immune system

It is high in protein, carbohydrates, antibodies and protective white blood cells and it is easy to digest. It has a laxative effect helping the baby to pass his first stools after birth. Colostrum is liquid gold!!!

 Be patient – baby may spit out new foods at first! Bring baby to the table at mealtime so that he/she can watch the family interact. Baby is ready when: Shows interest in food. Can sit upright and hold head upright.

 Add one food at a time.  Whenever possible use filtered water to prepare food. This minimizes harmful chemicals.  Watch for reactions.  Wait at least 3 days before introducing another food.  Do not pass along your own “food prejudices” to your baby!

 Sneezing  Runny nose  Skin rashes ◦ Around mouth ◦ Diaper area  Changes in stools  Personality changes ◦ Cranky or fussy ◦ More tired than usual

 Hypo-allergenic foods ◦ Up to 9 months old  Less chance of developing food allergy  Easier to digest

FRUITS Applesauce Bananas Apricots Peaches Plums Prunes Nectarines Pears VEGETABLES Carrots Squash Sweet potatoes Broccoli Cauliflower Beets Parsnips

Millet Quinoa (pronounced Keen-wah) Brown rice Can also introduce avocado ….. ….. and kiwi

 Oatmeal (Cheerios)  Potatoes  Pureed greens ◦ Kale ◦ Collard greens  Cabbage  Green beans  Peas  Split pea soup  Berries ◦ (blue, black, rasp.)  Papaya  Ground seeds ◦ Pumpkin ◦ Sunflower  Milk ◦ Rice ◦ Hemp  Oils ◦ Coconut ◦ Extra Virgin Olive Oil  Blackstrap Molasses  Ground seaweed ◦ Nori ◦ Dulse

Swiss Chard Spinach Asparagus Bell pepper Onion Garlic Cooked beans, lentils Tomatoes Eggplant  Grapes (cut up)  Lemon, lime  Strawberries  Hummus  Goat Milk  Buckwheat  Egg Yolks (free range)

 Soy (including tofu)  Whole Eggs (free- range)  Meat ◦ Chicken ◦ Turkey ◦ Lamb ◦ Fish ◦ Grass-fed beef ◦ Pork  Oranges  Pineapple  Nuts and butters ◦ Almond ◦ Cashew ◦ Walnuts ◦ Brazil nuts ◦ Pecans  Almond Milk  Soy Milk  Yogurt

 Gluten ◦ Wheat ◦ Spelt ◦ Barley ◦ Rye ◦ Kamut  Beef*  Shellfish  Cow’s milk & cheese*  Peanuts

….. just don’t feel well.

TIME FOR A QUIZ!

What are some of the advantages of breast milk? Easy to digest Has exact nutrients baby needs Fortifies the baby’s immune system

At what age should babies be introduced to solid foods? 6 months

What foods should be introduced first? Hypoallergenic fruits and vegetables Give examples Applesauce Bananas Apricots Peaches Plums Prunes Nectarines Pears Carrots Squash Sweet potatoes Broccoli Cauliflower Beets Parsnips

List several signs or symptoms associated with food sensitivities Sneezing Runny nose Skin rashes Around mouth Diaper area Changes in stools Personality changes Cranky or fussy More tired than usual

List several helpful tips for introducing solids to infants. Bring baby to the table at mealtime. Baby shows interest in food. Baby can sit upright and hold head upright. Add one food at a time. Whenever possible use filtered water to prepare food. Watch for reactions. Wait at least 3 days before introducing another food. Be patient – baby may spit out new foods at first!

About what age can babies have meat? 18 to 24 months

List 3 allergenic foods….. At what age can you introduce allergenic foods to babies? Wheat, barley, rye, spelt, peanuts, shellfish, cow’s milk 2-3 years old

1. Bastyr Center for Natural Health 2. Segerstern A, Malterre T. The Whole Life Nutrition Cookbook. 2 nd Edition. (2007). Bellingham, WA; Whole Life Press. Pp La Leche League