Any new parents listen to the age-old advice regarding introducing solids to their baby. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends introducing breastmilk and rice cereal at 6 months. The advice perhaps could use a tough rewrite—especially when 80% of infant formula has arsenic in it. It is time to challenge what we give our infants and how we start solids during this vulnerable phase of development.
The Rice Cereal Dilemma
Rice cereal has been around for decades as a mild, harmless first food for babies. The problem is, rice also picks up arsenic from the water and soil that it was raised in. Arsenic is a toxic heavy metal that can cause adverse effects on the development and health of a baby. Organic rice cereals may even carry unsafe amounts of arsenic. Not only rice cereals do such high levels of heavy metals, pesticides, and chemicals show up on in most other well-known brands of baby foods.
Clean Label Project, one non-profit group that laboratory tests consumer products for toxins, discovered a number of baby foods, even the organic ones, to contain toxic chemicals. To their shock, some of the organic brands had the worst rankings in their testing. Conventional baby foods like cereals, squeeze pouches, and snacks had high levels of lead, cadmium, mercury, and arsenic, their testing showed.
So what is the outcome? The answer is simple: avoid all of the rice-based baby foods completely and go straight on to clean, whole, nutrient-rich foods from the start.
A Better Way to Start Solids
Instead of AAP’s recommendation to introduce solids at 6 months, most holistic nutritionists and naturopathic doctors feel equally safe—and in most cases, safer—to introduce solids at 4 months, depending on the readiness of the baby. Indications that a baby is ready would be good head control, showing interest in food, and sitting with support.
The Weston A. Price Foundation is great at early nutrition. They suggest introducing babies to egg yolks, bananas, and cod liver oil around 4 months. These are great foods with good fats and vitamins that nourish brain development along with the immune system.
Introduce avocados, which are full of healthy fat, and meat purees, full of major minerals like iron and zinc, at 6 months. They are specifically important because iron starts depleting in a baby’s body at this age.
6 to 8 months, introduce fruits high in pectin like apples and pears and vegetables like squash, carrots, and beets, cooked well. These are easy on a baby’s growing digestive system and are easily digestible.
Have a Farewell to Package Baby Foods
The majority of parents rely on prepared baby food because it’s so convenient. But even “organic,” “natural,” or “non-GMO” foods appear safer than they are. There is a lot of sugar, minimal actual nutrients, and lots of secret poisons in pouches and pre-packaged snacks. The food is also without the life and freshness of homemade food.
Rather than using pre-prepared baby food, prepare your baby food at home using fresh ingredients. Steamed veggies, ripe fruits, and pureed meat are easy to prepare and are optimum for nutrition. As a shortcut in case of shortage of time, prepare bulk quantities and freeze some portions for quick use throughout the week.
Do not provide your child with juice boxes, flavored water, or sweetened drinks. They will likely acquire unhealthy dietary habits and potential diseases like obesity, diabetes, and dental disease.
Choose Natural Guidance
Naturopathic doctors are unlike most conventional pediatricians in their mind-set. What they suggest is health in the long term, nature cure, and nutrition healthy for the whole body. A state-licensed Naturopathic Doctor (ND) can perhaps help you bring in solids safely for your baby’s individual requirements according to your philosophy.
Individualized treatment strengthens your baby’s immune function, digestive health, and brain development—three general areas impacted by the early months of life. Rather than relying on pre-packaged foods and stale counsel, NDs advocate consuming natural, unprocessed foods.
Final Thoughts
The initial foods your baby consumes set the stage for a lifetime of health. Instead of following old guidelines on rice cereal, introduce your baby to whole, unprocessed foods when the moment is appropriate. Always look for readiness signs, and introduce them slowly. Every baby is different, and there is no one-size-fits-all formula.
Skip foods that harm your baby, like rice cereals and snack food. Make your foods fresh at home, and seek counsel from a Naturopathic Doctor. The initial months are a powerful time to create solid digestion, good immunity, and optimal brain development.
Start with real food. Start with love.
In Health,
Dr. Coleen Murphy ND, LAc.