Chennai Home> Chennai Health Home >

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

Yogurt Parsnips

Asparagus Avocado Egg Yolk

Goats Milk- Fresh Brown Rice Onions

Garlic Spirulina 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

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.