food : starting solids
Around the time of babies' 6-month well visits, our pediatrician's office provides a few suggestions on starting solids. What you'll find below is some of the doctors' advice supported by our experiences.

Timing
Starting solid foods is an exciting time in a baby's development. You may be tempted to entice spoonfuls of pureed mush into your baby's mouth, but baby will tell you when he or she is truly ready.

Turning of the head or any other indication that baby isn't up for it, means just that. Instill healthy eating habits early on by not coaxing or bribing food into baby's mouth.

Nutrients
For the first year of life, baby receives all his or her nutrition from milk (whether that means breastmilk or formula). There's a whole lot of wisdom and downright sanity in this simple statement alone.

For the first 12 months, solids are purely for experimentation and socialization. There's no need to fulfill a set amount of solid foods servings everyday.

If you breastfeed beyond 12 months, so much of baby's nutrition comes from this perfect food (until he or she is about 24 months old). Solids are, of course, necessary during this toddler period; however, there's no need to stress as much about nutrition if you're still nursing.

First Foods
Baby cereal is often the first spoonful of mush baby eats; however, it isn't necessarily the most healthful. Grains are difficult for babies (and even most adults) to break down. Instead, choose fruits and vegetables.

You may have heard that you should offer veggies first, so baby doesn't develop a preference for sweets, but there's no need to worry about what you offer first. Taylor is living proof of this. She LOVED sweet potatoes as an infant, but now, she actually prefers veggies over fruit.

Avocados are a wonderful first food. They're readily available year-round, easy to prepare and a great source of protein. Another source of quality protein is egg yolk (not the white because that tends to be the allergenic part if baby is sensitive to egg). Of course, make sure your eggs are pasture-raised or, at the very least, organic.

Beyond Purees
Once baby is about 10 months old, he or she is ready to eat off of your plate as long as you're eating whole, unprocessed foods. I know I'm tough when it comes to processed foods, but you'll reap the benefits in many ways.

By avoiding processed foods, your baby won't fall into the common trap of over-snacking or only eating these non-nutritive foods. The volume of food a toddler eats compared to their body size is much greater than that of an adult, which means the concentration of whatever substances (whether synthetic fillers or healthful nutrients) is also that much greater.

There will be times when baby doesn't want to eat what you've presented, and that's O.K. Whatever you do, don't make "something special". You'll quickly become a short-order cook each time baby sits down to eat. Baby won't starve or be malnourished if he or she skips one meal. There's always milk and the next meal. Food shouldn't be a power struggle but a nutritive and social experience.

updated 7.29.07