he first year of your baby’s life is one of the most precious and critical times of development, which can and should be an exciting adventure for you both. From developing healthy sleep patterns to hitting a variety of milestones – your little one’s growth and advancements are nothing short of miraculous. When it comes to food and proper nutrition, the ‘what, when and how’ frequently causes parents some angst in the early days. In addition to providing the fundamental basics for optimal growth and development, the introduction of food choices also exposes your baby to a world of exploration, sharing and learning. The guidelines below will get your baby off to the perfect start.

From 0-6 months
According to Health Canada and the American Academy of Pediatrics, exclusive breast-feeding is recommended for the first six months of life for healthy term infants. Breast milk has the right amount and quality of nutrients to suit your baby’s first food needs. It’s also easier on digestion, so there is less chance of constipation or diarrhea. Breast milk also contains antibodies and other immune factors that help your baby prevent and fight illness.

Ideally, breast feeding should be continued for up to two years. Exclusively breast-fed babies must get a daily supplement of Vitamin D in drop form for the first year of life. Breast milk has limited levels of this fat-soluble nutrient required for bones. Babies are typically born with enough iron to last up to 6 months, after which it’s best to start them on an iron-fortified cereal. If breast-feeding is not an option, use a store-bought iron-fortified infant formula for the first 9 to 12 months.

6 months and up
From six months and beyond, infants should be introduced to nutrient-rich, solid foods with particular attention to iron. At this time, your baby will begin to show signs of readiness to eat solid foods, including:

• Solid head control.
Your baby needs to be able to sit upright without assistance in their highchair to ensure their food is properly swallowed without strain

• Proper weight gain.
Most infants are ready to start eating when they have doubled their initial body weight

• Curiosity about food.
Your baby may start watching what you are eating very carefully or reaching for a forkful of your food

• Your baby will start to display chewing motions

• Increase in appetite.
Your baby may start to seem hungry even after eight to ten feedings a day.

What foods do I introduce first?
A good rule of thumb is to start with a hypoallergenic cereal such as rice cereal or barley cereal with added breast milk, formula or water. Start with a serving of one to two teaspoons. Offer a small amount on a rubber tipped spoon. Follow up with some formula or breast milk to aid in digestion. Remember, this will be a foreign feeling for your infant, so don’t be surprised or discouraged if they spit it out and don’t eat much. Like any other newly learned skill, babies need practice with eating foods. Keep feeding your child once a day at a convenient time for you, such as lunchtime. Eventually, you will build their mealtimes around yours and before you know it, routine develops.

When your baby successfully eats cereal more than twice a day, you can move on to introducing other solid foods. As a general rule, it’s best to introduce fruits and/or vegetables one at a time, with at least three days between each food to ensure your child has no reaction. Ideal foods are mushy in texture and can include sweet potatoes, squash, peas, bananas, blueberries, apples, pears and peaches. Once your baby is 8 months plus, you can start to introduce more protein-based foods such as pureed and mushy chicken, lentils, and beef. Mushy avocados are also an excellent food, providing the essential fats needed for your growing baby.

When you first introduce food, it’s normal if your baby’s stool changes colour and has a different smell. Remember, your baby has only been on formula or breast milk up until this point. If your baby’s stool becomes hard and firm, trying switching from rice cereal to barley cereal.

Allergic foods to avoid
There are certain foods to avoid feeding your child in the first year of life to minimize the incidence of allergies, including:

• Citrus

• Honey may contain spores called Clos-tridium botulinum (botulism) that can be life threatening to a baby.

• Egg whites: While the fat in egg yolks is terrific for optimal growth and development in your infant, the protein-rich egg white may cause an allergic reaction.

• Dairy: The protein in cow’s milk called casein is very difficult for a child’s immature digestive system to break down. Cow’s milk also does not contain all the nutrients your infant needs and contains traces of minerals in amounts that can damage the kidneys of a baby. While breast milk is best, if not breast-feeding, stick to formula.

• Shell fish

• Peanut butter can be highly allergenic. If you or your spouse has an allergic reaction to peanuts, wait until your child is age 3 prior to introducing peanut butter and jam.

• Tree nuts including walnuts and pecans. Follow the same guidelines as peanut butter.

• Wheat: Although most babies can digest wheat fairly well (i.e. in cereal), if you are concerned about allergic response, it is best to wait until after 1 year.

If you have a strong history of allergies in the family, avoid corn, soy, strawberries and chocolate as these are common allergens.

While introducing food into your baby’s diet may seem stressful at first, you and your baby will begin to discover a world of food fun! Additional information can be found at www.sweetpeababyfood.com

H&L

Dr. Joey Shulman is a registered nutritionist and best selling author. Her latest book, The Last 15 – A Weight Loss Breakthrough is now available. For more information, please visit www.drjoey.com