Is it Time to Start Feeding Baby Solid Foods?
There comes a time in every baby’s life when the food on your plate starts to look better than what she’s been eating. Is it time to start feeding your baby solid foods?
Here are a few questions to consider when coming up with an answer:
- Is your baby around 6 months old?
- Can she sit up with support and hold her head up on her own?
- Does she show interest in solid foods, say, by watching you when you eat and opening her mouth or moving it as if chewing along?
- When you offer her a spoonful, does she take it into her mouth and move her jaw instead of pushing it out with her tongue?
- Has she doubled her birth weight (to about 13 pounds or more)?
- Is she still hungry after eating a full meal of breast milk or formula?
If the answer to these questions is yes, your baby may be ready for her foray into solid foods.
First foods
In the past, parents were advised to start with a single-grain cereal and introduce solid foods in a specific order: rice cereal, vegetables, fruit, and then meat. We now know there’s no scientific evidence showing that introducing foods in a specific order is necessary. Of course, it’s fine if you want to introduce foods in the traditional order, but if you think your baby is interested in trying a different food first, that’s OK, too.
The following guidelines do still apply:
- Introduce new foods one by one, waiting two to three days between each new food to watch for an allergic reaction, such as diarrhea, rash, or vomiting.
- While they’re called solid food, your baby’s first foods won’t actually be solid. Instead, the foods will be soft or pureed – what we generally think of as baby food and find in baby food jars at the store. If you like, you can also puree food in a blender or food processor. Just make sure everything is reduced to the point that it no longer requires chewing. You can also mix in a little breast milk or formula to make your baby’s first solid foods more familiar.
- Offer small bites – half a spoonful or a smidgen on the end of your fingertip is enough. And don’t expect your little one to start feeding himself yet. That will come a little later when he’s ready for finger foods.
- If your baby balks, don’t force it. Back off and return to breast milk or formula for a while. There’s plenty of time for your baby to learn to enjoy solid foods.
- Don’t forget breast milk or formula. Just because your baby has started solid foods doesn’t mean he’s ready to be weaned. On the contrary, breast milk and/or formula will continue to be an important part of your baby’s diet until he’s at least 12 months old.
As you begin feeding your baby solid foods, remember that mealtime is not only for eating – it’s an important social activity as well. So as your little one takes his first tastes, make it a family affair and enjoy your meal together. Bon appetit!
Spend Wisely on Organics to Protect Your Family & Finances
Last updated on May 3rd, 2025 at 06:02 pm
You do a lot to keep your family healthy, including making smart choices about the food you buy. And chances are, you’d buy everything organic if you could. But for most parents, a totally organic kitchen isn’t realistic, considering the items can cost upward of 50 percent more than their conventional counterparts.
“We all need to prioritize our purchasing based on what’s important to us,” says eco-cuisine expert Jackie Newgent, a registered dietitian and the author of Big Green Cookbook. Your first priority may, obviously, be to provide your family with plenty of healthy fruit and vegetables, calcium-rich dairy, and whole grains – organic or not.
Beyond that, however, Newgent and other experts say that if and when you can budget for a few organic goods, certain picks are worth the cost. Check out this shopping guide to help you know where to allocate your organic dollars and where to save.
1. Fruits and Vegetables
When it comes to pesticides in produce, not all fruits and veggies are equal. Certain types are exposed to and retain more chemical residue than others, even after washing. The worst offenders – aptly nicknamed “the dirty dozen” – include peaches, apples, bell peppers, kale, nectarines, strawberries, cherries, green beans, spinach, grapes, blueberries and pears.
“If you want to buy organic but have a limited budget, spend it on these,” says Colleen Doyle, a registered dietitian and the nutrition and physical activity director for the American Cancer Society.
Produce that has thick skin, on the other hand, is usually the least tainted, says Christopher R. Mohr, Ph.D., R.D., a nutrition expert based in Louisville, Ky. The outer covering acts like a shield, protecting the edible portion from pesticides, so paying extra for organic isn’t necessarily worth it if you’re on a budget. In other words, much of the chemical residue that may be on foods like bananas, pineapple, melon, kiwi, mangoes or avocados likely ends up in the trash along with the peel anyway.
And despite not having thick peels, broccoli and cabbage also tend to retain among the lowest levels of pesticides, says Doyle.
2. Dairy
“Organic milk and other dairy products are worth the extra cost whenever possible,” says Dr. Christine Gerbstadt, an anesthesiologist and registered dietitian, and a Sarasota, Fla.-based spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association. This is especially important for women and children who tend to eat and drink a lot of milk for its calcium.
The government’s organic stamp signals that milk-producing cows were not exposed to pesticides in feed, nor were they given antibiotics or artificial hormones.
Gerbstadt and others recommend organic because they’re concerned that the use of antibiotics in livestock could potentially contribute to strains of drug-resistant bacteria that may affect humans.
Equally worrisome is the hormone given to some cows to increase milk production – called recombinant bovine growth hormone, or rBGH. Although studies have found no significant difference between milk produced with rBGH and that without without, Gerbstadt and other experts recommend erring on the side of caution and avoiding it entirely. That way, there’s zero risk that any trace amounts of artificial hormones from milk will enter your – or your child’s – system.
If the cost of organic dairy is prohibitive, you can find non-organic milk without rBGH – the next best thing. Look for terms like “rBGH-free” on labels. Not all manufacturers put this information on their labels, however, so if you have a favorite brand, call the company’s customer service number or visit its Web site to check.
3. Eggs
With all the various terms that can appear on egg cartons, choosing what’s best for your family can be especially difficult. The bottom line: It’s OK to buy an inexpensive, non-organic option to save money. All eggs, organic or not, are rich in nutrients and high-quality protein, says Newgent.
For starters, you needn’t worry about growth hormones like those sometimes given to milk-producing cows. “Egg-laying hens in the U.S. are not given hormones, additives or preservatives,” she says. Furthermore, eggs produced by chickens that were raised on non-organic feed don’t pass on pesticides to you, she confirms. Finally, it’s also not necessary to pay extra for brown eggs; shell color has no impact on quality, nutritional value or flavor.
“Eggs are fantastic for you,” reiterates Mohr. “They can be one of the least expensive sources of protein in the whole grocery store.” And because organic cartons tend to be so much more expensive – often $2 or more above the cost of conventional – practicality trumps any potential benefit you’d get from organic, he says.
4. Other Grocery Items
Bread, cereal, pasta, cookies – you’re faced with a plethora of organic choices elsewhere in the grocery store too. But the majority is not worth paying extra for, since grains generally have low concentrations of pesticide residue to begin with. “They do not need as many pesticides [when growing] as other foods,” says Mohr.
One exception: rice. Buying organic makes sense since it can contain higher levels of pesticides. (Rice is grown in water, which carries more pesticide particles than soil.) Luckily, though, organic rice won’t bust your budget: It’s nearly as inexpensive as conventional, especially if you buy in bulk.
You’re used to budgeting for the things that benefit your family most. And buying organics only when those benefits outweigh the cost is the best way to keep both your family and your finances healthy.
The Other Gifts We Give Our Kids
Last updated on January 6th, 2025 at 02:28 pm
There are many traditions at this time of year that involve parents giving their children presents – whether obviously or through Santa subterfuge! But there are many gifts we give our kids throughout the year that have a much more lasting impact than the latest hot video game or toy, even if our little people don’t yet realize it or always appreciate our efforts. Below is a selection of some of these gifts of love.
Vaccinations
The WHO cites a detailed history of vaccination that demonstrates how only clean water has done more for the health and wellness of mankind. Historical books, movies and TV shows detail just how frightening the diseases we vaccinate against once were. The shots we get for our children are a gift that provides a lifetime of protection – for them and those around us.
Safe Home
Every time parents install a cabinet lock to hide chemical cleaners, secure heavy furniture and TVs against tipping, or reduce the setting of their water heater they are providing invaluable gifts to their children – reduction in the risk of preventable poisoning, injury, burns. The Consumer Product Safety Commission says that almost 1,800 kids are seen in Emergency Departments each year due to injuries from furniture and TV tip-overs – and 119 kids between 1 and 3 years old die annually from these incidents.
Safe Transport
Around 400-500 child deaths are prevented in the US every year due to use of car seats and other child restraints – and that’s not counting the reduction in severe injuries from use of safety seats for kids. Every time we strap them into a car seat we are giving them a precious gift and teaching them good car safety habits for when they become drivers.
Healthy Eating Appreciation
Obesity is one of the greatest health crises of our age, given its link to diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and cholesterol, liver disease, sleep apnea, arthritis, and even several cancers. Helping our children appreciate food for its support of health is a gift that keeps giving over a lifetime.
Active Lifestyle Encouragement
As parents, we all want our children to live a long and happy life. Physical activity is a important contributor to this goal, given how it reduces risk for chronic diseases and even improves mental health, sleep and mood.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control, “only a few lifestyle choices have as large an impact on your health as physical activity. People who are physically active for about 7 hours a week have a 40 percent lower risk of dying early than those who are active for less than 30 minutes a week.”
Getting our kids to be active – and, more importantly, being a role model for physical activity is literally a gift of life.
Protection from Excessive/Inappropriate Online Exposure
Although the American Academy of Pediatrics has updated their guidelines for “screen time” to better reflect how entrenched online usage now is at all ages, they still make recommendations – such as developing personalized media use plans for your kids that takes into account each child’s age, health, personality and developmental stage – to ensure a valuable online experience. Putting limits in place for when our kids can access the internet and what they can see is an important gift for protecting their online reputation and preventing inappropriate connections.
So while you are savoring your kids squeals of delight when they open their presents during the holidays, remember to pat yourself on the back for all the other gifts you labor to give them year-round – gifts that protect them for a lifetime.
Sniffle-Fighting Snacks for You and Your Kids
Last updated on December 9th, 2024 at 12:44 am
Ah, fall. The leaves are changing, the mercury is dropping and … the air is filling with the sound of sneezes and coughs. With the average kid coming down with a cold eight to 10 times a year, it’s no wonder that you’re trying your hardest to keep your family healthy.
Along with enforcing hand-washing rules, also try adding immune-boosting nutrients. Snacks are the perfect opportunity to sneak in an extra serving, so stock up on the following foods – so you can sidestep those sniffles this season.
1. Yogurt: This creamy treat is packed with healthy probiotics, the “good” kind of bacteria. According to a study published in the British Journal of Nutrition, students who had a probiotic drink daily for three months as half as many sick days as those who got a placebo drink.
2. Oats: A bowl of oatmeal is a quick and filling snack. Plus, oats are high in beta-glucans, a compound that can fend off the sniffles. According to German scientists, those who were given beta-glucan daily for 26 weeks had 13 percent fewer sick days than those who weren’t. Want your kids to gobble up their oats? Bake them into delicious low-fat cookies.
3. Pumpkin seeds: Half a cup of these crunchy seeds deliver 41 percent of all of the zinc you need in a day. Research shows that zinc may stop viruses from spreading in the body, shortening the duration of the cold or flu. Try mixing them into yogurt, adding them to trail mix or whipping up a homemade granola bar, such as this five-minute recipe.
4. Berries: Not only are they high in vitamin C, but berries are also loaded with antioxidants. These nutrients protect against the damage that can wear down the immune system. Eat those berries out of hand, or add them to that bowl of yogurt or oatmeal.
5. Tea: Whether you prefer green or black, or iced or hot, brew up some benefits with this drink. In a study from Harvard University, people who sipped black tea for two weeks had 10 times the amount of a cold-fighting protein called interferon than those who didn’t. Experts believe that a type of antioxidants in tea, catechins, may kill of viruses. So put on that kettle!
6. Spinach: It’s no secret that this dark leafy green is good for you. But it packs a particular punch against colds, containing vitamins C, E and B6 – three nutrients shown to rev up your immunity. Can’t get your kids to eat spinach? Think again: Try whipping up a tasty smoothie from a frozen banana, orange juice and a handful of spinach. Except for the green color, they won’t even realize they’re sipping up their greens!
Avoid Tooth Decay Risks in Your Child’s Lunchbox
Last updated on October 23rd, 2024 at 03:59 pm
As a parent, you work hard to keep your child’s meals wholesome and healthy. However, we all know that it can be difficult to plan out well-balanced meals all the time. With the school year in full swing, you’re as busy as ever, and it’s easy to just throw a Snack Pack and bag of potato chips in your kid’s lunchbox. While these are okay in moderation, too many sweets and junk food can start to take a toll on your child’s health, including the health of their teeth.
A diet which is high in sugar can lead to a mouth full of cavities. Bad bacteria called streptococcus mutans can easily invade your child’s mouth, and these bacteria feed off of sugar. The combination of the bacteria and sugar produces acid that eats away at the tooth’s enamel. After time, the depletion of calcium can eventually cause the surface of the tooth to collapse, and the result is a cavity.
The easiest way to help your child avoid cavities is by limiting the amount of sugary foods they consume throughout the day. Things like gummy candy, lollipops, chips, soda and juice are some of the most damaging foods. Not only are they high in sugar and carbohydrates, but they also tend to stay in the mouth longer when consumed. If teeth are constantly being coated with sugar, this promotes decay even faster.
There are plenty of foods that are not only good for your child’s teeth and gums, but are easy to prepare and pack in your kid’s lunchbox. Some of these include:
- Crisp fruits and vegetables – Apples, carrots and celery are high in fiber and help produce saliva, which is the mouth’s natural defense against decay.
- Cheese and yogurt – Dairy products contain calcium and other minerals that are important for the health of your teeth. Cheese cubes or sticks and yogurt cups are great for school lunches.
- Water with fluoride – Many stores carry small, “kid-sized” bottles of water with fluoride added. Choose these instead of juice boxes.
While sugary foods are not the only cause of cavities, they are one of the biggest causes. They’re also one of the easiest things to moderate. Be proactive about the health of your child’s mouth by establishing healthy eating habits at an early age. A sugary treat is perfectly okay every once in awhile, just make sure it’s given in moderation.
End Mealtime Struggles with Your Picky Eater
Last updated on October 23rd, 2024 at 03:58 pm
Are you the parent of a picky eater? If so, you know how stressful mealtimes can be. I counsel many parents that are up to their eyeballs at getting their children to eat balanced and have ample variety. Having young children of my own, I have had to deal with the challenges and opportunities of modeling good eating behaviors.
There are several things that we need to remember about children when it comes to eating. The first thing is that research shows that children need to be exposed to some foods 15-20 or even more times before they find them acceptable. Where parents go wrong often times is that they see their child rejects certain foods while preferring others. They take that information and create future meals with the preferred foods only. Why? I believe much of the reason is our innate drive to nourish our children and wanting them to eat. The problem is that we will do this over and over again until one day you find that your child only likes 7-10 foods. Hence, he/she is now the “picky eater.” Instead, what we should do is to make a family meal that includes a variety of food – including some of your child’s favorite foods – and serve all those foods on each plate. Even though you know your child might reject some food items, that is OK.
The other thing we need to remember is that children are extremely good at eating when they are hungry and not eating when they are not. In general, they do not eat according to any clock or time schedule. You’ll notice that a normal child’s eating pattern usually involves waves of high hunger – i.e., eating a lot at meals – to waves of low hunger where they don’t eat much at all. These waves can last several days. This is very normal. Again, with our desire to nourish our children in the back of our minds, we get concerned because they are not eating as much as we think they should eat. So, we might do things such as make separate meals for them that includes all their favorite foods or we might force them to eat. Some even force them to eat the “good for you” foods such as vegetables. All these actions come from a very good place, but they are not recommended.
We need to get back to the basics. Include a variety of foods in your home with emphasis on lean meats, whole grains, fresh produce, healthy fats and low-fat dairy. Eat as many family meals as possible with the absence of distractions and controversial conversation. Fix one meal for all and get back to allowing your children 2 choices of drinks – milk or water. I love Ellyn Satter’s very easy-to-understand Responsibilities in Feeding:
- Parents are responsible for what, when and where of the feeding
- Children are responsible for how much or whether to eat
I was taught this information in dietetic school and once I had children, I fully appreciated the challenge of living this out. However, my oldest, Hannah, is living proof that this works. She is now at a point where she loves all different kinds of foods and will try almost anything. My youngest, Evan, is still learning to “trust” different foods. But I continue to serve him everything, and I am much more confident in the process with him. He is slowly adding foods as he watches me, my husband and his sister enjoy the variety on our plates. It works!
By the way, Ellyn Satter is a dietitian and social worker that is an expert in child feeding. She’s got a ton of free information on her website and has written many books on the subject. Check her out!
One last note about children and eating…..I re-discovered a book on my office bookshelf entitled, “The Healthy Luncbox: How to Plan, Prepare & Pack Stress-Free Meals Kids Will Love.” It’s a great book for parents looking to revamp their kid’s school lunches! I got some ideas for Hannah’s lunch and am excited to fix them.
