Baby's First Natural Foods

Luna is just about 8 months old. For the past few months I have been struggling with how to start her on solid foods.  There is an overwhelming variety of direction out there coming from doctors, family, friends, books and the Internet. Her first doctor recommended spoon feeding baby food; as in jars, as in the norm for most American babies.  He also recommended rice cereal in addition to her pureed fruits and veggies. The only reason that I began to question this norm was because in our history jarred baby food and a box of rice cereal were not options and somehow babies survived.  I don't feel that there is anything wrong with the mainstream style of feeding, it is easy and convenient. I just wanted to explore a more traditional way of introducing my baby to food. 

Then I switched to a more holistic doctor. She preached instilling healthy eating habits from the start to avoid problems in the future.  Ironically, I found her style to be more logical and convenient than the American norm. First, vegetables should lead the way. If you start your baby on vegetables then they grow to prefer vegetables over sweets. Well, that makes sense!  Next, I was advised to get rid of the spoon. What???  Let her eat her meals you eat yours and simply mash up and share any vegetables that you are having letting her feed herself. That was an interesting concept, but again, it made sense. If you let her feed herself she will eat if she is hungry and until she is full, if she is not hungry she will not eat.  While babies are still mainly getting a bottle or being breast fed they are getting all the nutrients that their little bodies need.  The beginning stages of adding solids (around 6-9 months) are more for exploration than nutrition. As I began to feed Luna in the more traditional manner life got a bit easier.

I also began to read more books on a babies first foods that were in line with what I had learned. I came across a great book that all expecting and new mothers should read if they are they are questioning the mainstream feeding style.  The book is called Beautiful Babies by Kristen Michaelis and Joe Salatin.  It takes you from nutrition before getting pregnant all the way to your babies first foods.  I highly recommend it.  Another is Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon. This book also challenges politically correct nutrition and teaches you to feed your baby the most nutrient dense foods that help grow a healthy baby.  What I learned from these books and Luna's new doctor all coincided. Egg yolks, vegetables, avocados, cod liver oil and roe are all great starter foods to get your baby on the right track.  Not once was rice cereal recommended.  I actually discovered that rice cereal is not easily digested by babies and is more of a nutrient lacking filler.  In a world of anorexia and obesity, I have learned that it is best to fill your baby with the most nutrient dense foods and steer clear from any fillers such as rice cereal.

Now, I am not judging one way or another, every situation is different, but I am finding the more natural approach seems to be a good fit for me and my baby.  So far she is accepting it and enjoying it better than she did the spoon! It is a step away from mainstream, but it is not nearly as difficult or inconvenient as I would have imagined.  This style actualy seems to lead to a happier baby and more free time for mom.