There are a lot of factors to consider when deciding on a baby's first foods. And depending on who you talk to, you will likely get different opinions and suggestions. Today I’ll be discussing first foods as I touch on the topics of baby cereal, optimal first foods, and baby led weaning.
Let’s talk about baby cereal
Very commonly, pediatricians and others will suggest starting babies off with “baby cereal” which is commonly synonymous with rice cereal. While this may seem like a good place to start, there are a few reasons why I do not recommend baby cereal as a first food (or really ever).
Baby cereal is low in nutrition. Consider the expression “food is fuel.” The nutrients from what we eat or feed our babies provide energy, keep our bodies functioning properly, and aim to build and strengthen our brains and bodies. Despite being “fortified” with synthetic vitamins (which have their own problems!), there is just no comparison between baby cereal and fruits and vegetables when it comes to nutrients. It’s also important to consider that rice cereal is super processed in order to make it a quick and convenient option for parents which further reduces its nutritional value. Additionally, baby cereal is highly glycemic, which results in drastic blood sugar spikes followed by inevitable fussiness and hunger. Not exactly ideal for babies or the parents, right?
Additionally, rice cereal is bland! The first downside of this is that baby cereal is likely not going to be very appealing for our young babies. Even more importantly though is that our goal should be to start exposing babies to a variety of tastes and flavors at a young age. Doing so helps them to start developing a more diverse diet containing a variety of vitamins and nutrients, and helps to avoid diets of plain (and not very nutritional) grains and/or processed foods.
Need two more reasons to pass on baby cereal? 1.) Grains can be difficult to digest, particularly for babies whose digestive systems are still developing. 2.) Rice is known to be high in arsenic which is a well-recognized carcinogen.
When I was considering first foods for my own babies, the reasons listed above were plenty enough for me to decline the “baby cereal” and further explore my options.
Optimal first foods
Any time we put food in our bodies and/or in our children’s bodies, we are fueling the most important “machines” we will have access to in our lifetimes. Therefore, what we eat MATTERS. As such, when providing foods to babies, I recommend finding the options that have high nutritional value and are also easily digestible. Here is a list of my favorite first food options:
These foods pack a big nutritional punch as well as diverse flavors to help draw babies in and provide them with lots of benefits.
How often to offer new foods
A common recommendation is that parents introduce one "single-ingredient" new food every 3 to 5 days. This gives caregivers a chance to notice any reactions. Then, if in fact your child does have a reaction, you will be able to isolate which food caused it. It is important to note, however, that if your child has a strong reaction to food, you will most likely see a reaction within minutes or hours.
Baby led weaning (BLW)
The BLW approach starts babies on finger foods (and frequently includes foods that the rest of the family is eating) rather than purees. With this method, the baby is in control of the feeding process, the pace of the meal, and learning their own fullness cues. BLW allows babies to explore and control their food intake according to their hunger cues which helps develop self-regulation skills, potentially reducing the risk of overeating later in life. BLW also encourages babies to use their hands which aids in the development of hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills as they grasp and manipulate food.
Baby led weaning allows babies to learn how to chew (or often, gum) first, then swallow. The act of chewing helps to stimulate saliva in the mouth which aids in the breakdown of food particles. This prepares the nutrients of the food to be absorbed as they enter the intestines. Saliva that is produced with chewing also helps clear the food in the oral cavity, and actually helps to reduce the risk of getting cavities! Further, chewing helps to develop the jaws, tongue, and muscles of the mouth which leads to optimal facial growth and development! Phew!
Additionally, baby led weaning encourages babies to become familiar with a greater variety of textures and flavors, which potentially reduces picky eating behaviors later in life. Babies are more likely to accept a wide range of foods when they have the opportunity to explore them from the beginning. And if you think about it, having pure, whole foods gives your baby the ability to recognize and become comfortable with different foods, textures, and tastes (as compared to offering green puree which could be avocado, peas, or broccoli, or orange puree which could be sweet potatoes, carrots, or oranges - the baby has no idea until someone places the spoon of food in his or her mouth).
Lastly, BLW can be less stressful for parents compared to traditional spoon-feeding methods. There's no need to worry about spoon-feeding techniques or the "right" amount of food; instead, parents can focus on offering a variety of nutritious foods and allowing their baby to explore at their own pace.
All in all, baby led weaning creates an environment where babies are allowed to explore, eat at their own pace, and learn many skills as they go. The end result will likely be children who are independent eaters who enjoy and are willing to try a variety of tastes and textures.
In summary
Whether you opt to provide pureed foods or go the BLW route, I hope you have learned some valuable information on the topic of baby’s first foods. Please see my Transitioning from breastmilk to solids blog for some additional guidance on when to transition to solids, how to properly set the stage for eating, and some product recommendations!
As always, if you have any concerns about when to start introducing solid foods or your baby's readiness for solids, it's always best to consult with your pediatrician for personalized guidance and recommendations based on your baby's individual needs and development.
At Latch on to Language, I specialize in working with moms, moms-to-be, and babies for lactation concerns. I also specialize in working with children from toddler-age to teenage and most frequently service those with deficits in articulation/phonology and language. I offer in-home services to clients in Cecil County, MD, and nearby towns/cities in MD, PA, and DE. Additional travel fees apply to locations beyond this area. Virtual sessions are also effective and can be provided to address many lactation, speech, and language concerns.
If you're struggling or you’d simply like more information, please reach out to see if Latch on to Language may be a good fit! I look forward to working with you! 🌟
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