Good Foods for Babies

Norma Ritter, IBCLC, RLC

NOTE: This is the second of a series of articles about weaning.
You may want to read the previous article first:
“When is the best time to start my baby on other foods?”


As her baby approached his 6 month birthday, Joanna had lots of questions about starting her breastfed baby on other foods.

“Why do so many babies start with cereal?”
Babies who are not breastfed tend to need more iron, and cereal is one way of adding it to their diet. However, breastfed babies usually get all the iron they need from their mother's milk. If your doctor is concerned about iron levels, a simple test can be done right in the office.

“Those jars of baby food are cute, but so expensive. Besides, I would really prefer to feed my baby fresh food. Is it difficult to make your own baby food?"
It is very easy to make your own baby food, and much cheaper too. You do not even need special equipment, just a knife, fork and spoon.

“What are some good “starter” foods?”
Most babies like soft fruits and veggies. You can put tiny pieces of ripe banana on his tray so he can pick them up and feed himself while you eat your dinner. Sweet potatoes are great for babies. Just scrub and prick the skin, and bake it in the microwave until it is soft. After it has cooled down, you can throw away the skin and cut up the soft potato into little chunks.

“I have never heard of babies feeding themselves! I thought you had to feed them with little spoons!”
We used to think it was a good idea to start babies on solid foods when they were very young, maybe even just a few weeks old. Of course babies that age could only eat pureed foods, which their mothers fed them with spoons. Now we know that babies are not ready for solid foods until they can sit up by themselves and use a pincer movement with their fingers and thumbs. By that time, they can eat all kinds of things, with only a little help. Your baby may like sitting in a high chair to eat, or she may prefer to sit on your lap or on the floor.

“So what else could I feed my baby?”
Lots of things! Just make sure the food is soft enough not to catch in his throat, and cut into little pieces. So, for example, you will want to offer cooked, not raw, carrots, green beans, and peas.
 - Try ripe avocados, pears, peaches or apples – whatever is in season.
 - Tofu is naturally soft, and beans can be mashed after the skins have been removed.
 - If you eat meat, you can offer little pieces of chicken, or maybe a meaty leg bone (with that thin sliver of attached bone removed.
 - As she gets closer to a year, your baby may also like to to gnaw on a heel of whole wheat bread or a piece of bagel.

“Are there foods I should avoid feeding to my baby?”
- Don't give her anything that could get stuck in her throat, so avoid hard foods like popcorn and nuts.
- Any “round” foods, like carrots slices or grapes, should be cut into quarters.
- Wait until your baby is a year old before offering foods which tend to cause allergies – citrus fruits (like oranges and grapefruits), strawberries, peanut butter, eggs, soy products, and especially, dairy products.
- Never give honey or corn syrup to a baby until she is over a year old, because of the risk of botulism (food poisoning).
- If there are any foods or drinks to which members of your family are allergic or sensitive, do not give them to your baby.

“How much food does he need? How many times a day should I feed him?”
Start slowly, just once a day. If you miss a day, that is okay. It doesn't have to be the same time every day, just whenever it happens to be most convenient.
At first he will mostly play with his food. If any of it gets in his mouth, consider it a bonus! Start with about a teaspoon of food, and add more when he asks for it. You might want to put an old shower curtain under his chair to catch the crumbs.
Wait about a week before introducing each new food. That way it will be easy to see if anything upsets his stomach or gives him a rash.

“What about juices? Won't he need extra water too?”
Whole fruits contain fiber and are much more nutritious than juices. It makes sense to either limit juices or even avoid them completely.
Some mothers like to offer a little water in a sippy cup with meals.

“Wow, I am excited to start! But I was wondering, if I start on other foods, won't he nurse less often? I don't want to lose my milk and I am not ready to stop nursing.”
Your milk remains the most important part of your baby's diet until she is a year old. Always nurse her before offering other foods, and afterwards as well if she is interested. That way you will maintain your supply.
Babies need only their mother's milk for about the first six months. During the next six months, while other foods are slowly being introduced, that milk remains the most important part of their diet. Your baby will continue to receive the same nutrition and protection from your milk as long as you continue to nurse.

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