CONNECTICUT CENTER
FOR HEALTH
Introduction of Solid Foods to Infants
For
the first 6 months of life breast milk is the only food required by most
infants. Premature infants normally
thrive on breast milk as it provides essential antibodies that protect their
immune function and nutrients that optimize growth. A nursing mother just needs to be sure her
nutritional needs are being adequately met.
Generally, an additional 500 calories daily should be added to the diet
to meet the demands of lactation.
Until
approximately 6 months of age, a baby’s digestive tract is not able to
adequately digest most foods. The
introduction of foods too early may induce food allergies or food
sensitivities. Furthermore, it has been
conclusively demonstrated in a Finnish study that prolonged exclusive
breastfeeding will significantly reduce the incidence of food allergy and
intolerance, even in families with a strong tendency to allergy.[1]
Conditions
that commonly result from food allergies/sensitivities include upper
respiratory infections, ear infections, and gastroenteritis. A baby is usually ready for solid foods when
s/he is able to sit up and is able to push food away. New foods should be introduced one at a time
for a week to see if there is any reactivity.
Symptoms
that may indicate reactivity to a food include:
• Rash around mouth or anus • Diarrhea or mucus in stool
• Hyperactivity or lethargy • Constipation
• Allergic shiners (dark circles under eyes) • Runny nose
• Skin reactions (urticaria) • Dyslexia
• Infection • Redness of face, cheeks
•
Change in drawings-less realistic • Ear infections
The
following schedule for introducing solid foods to a breast fed infant has been
compiled from numerous naturopathic physicians who work extensively with
infants and children. Most physicians
suggest avoiding common allergens such as cow’s milk, wheat, oranges, eggs, and
chocolate early in the introductory phase (up to the first year). It is best to introduce one new food at a
time while observing for reactions, i.e. sneezing, runny nose, rash around the
mouth, anus or urethra, a change in stool or personality.
It
is recommended that vegetables be introduced before fruits, so that infants
don’t come to expect sweets at their meals.
Non-allergenic foods should be rotated every five to six days to
minimize sensitization which may occur when the same foods are eaten once or
twice daily for five to seven consecutive days.
Schedule
for Introducing Solid Foods
6-9 months: Hypoallergenic pureed, mashed foods
containing iron; 1-2 Tbs./day. The
fruits may be too sweet to introduce at 6 months and are better at 71/2 to 9
months.
Carrots Blackberries Prunes
Squash Broccoli Cherries
Yam Apricots Banana
Jerusalem Artichoke Grapes Cauliflower
Kiwi Peaches Sprouts
(Blended in water)
Pears Beets Applesauce
9 months: Food high in zinc and good for immune system; 2-4
Tbs./day. The oatmeal, lima beans, and
millet may be difficult to digest.
Sweet Potato Cabbage Oatmeal
Papaya Blueberries Lima Beans
String Beans Nectarines Potato
Black Strap Molasses Split Pea Soup Millet
Mashed Potato Artichoke Apples
Peas Basmati
Rice
12 months: Foods high in zinc and bulk; 4-10 Tbs./day.
Acorn Squash Barley Chard
Tofu Yogurt Parsnips
Asparagus Avocado Egg Yolk
Goats Milk- Fresh Brown Rice Onions
Garlic Spiralina Honey
18 months: Foods high in B vitamins and calcium; allow infant to eat
amount desired.
Tahini Lamb Salad greens
Kelp Eggplant Rye
Beets And Greens Chicken Rutabaga
Beans Fish Buckwheat
21 months: Foods high in protein to support growth.
Eggs Almond
Butter Turkey
Walnuts Cornish Hen Beef Liver
Cashew Butter Pineapple Wheat
Brewer’s Yeast Oranges Lentils
2-3 years old:
Sunflower Seeds Corn Lentils
Peanut Butter Clams Soy
products, soy milk, etc.
4 years old:
Milk products Cottage
Cheese Yogurt
[1] Kajosaari, M.; Saarinen, U., Prophylaxis of
atopic disease by six months’ total food elimination. Evaluation of 135 exclusively breastfed
infants of atopic families. Acta. Paed.
Scand. (1983) 72, 3, 411-4.