It is at the intersection of babies and food that all my areas of expertise collide into one big ball of science, philosophy and love.  I went to med school to earn a degree in naturopathic medicine and I’m just a few years into a much harder program, mommy school, with two boys, ages three and two.  In the midst of all this I’ve also established a career in the natural products industry as a nutrition and natural health strategist.  As it relates to food introduction, I’ve learned important lessons from each of my areas of training.  Here’s a brief highlight:

From naturopathic medicine: Start with vegetables first, then fruits.  Delay the introduction of grains and dairy and any other food that, based on family history, may be an allergen.  Wait until at least six months to begin solid food introduction.  You do not need to begin at four months, you do not need to begin with rice and, assuming you are nursing or using a quality infant formula, babies’ iron needs will be met following the order of introduction listed below.

From mommy training: Introduce less sweet foods first (once your baby tastes bananas it’s all over).  Make single ingredient food in big batches and freeze in ice cube trays to have single servings ready to quickly re-warm and use.  Purchase the book, Super Baby Food by Ruth Yaron, and use it as your bible.  In my copy, pages 123, 130 and 135 are especially coated in baby food puree.

From the food industry: Choose certified organic options whenever possible, read labels and avoid products that add sweeteners and any ingredients you don’t recognize.  Try to avoid foods packaged in plastic – glass jars and foil-lined bags are better.  Do your homework and align yourself with brands that match your priorities for people and planet health.  And remember, packaged is convenient (for travel or to have in your bag “just in case”), but homemade is always best.

The following is a suggested order for food introduction.  Introduce a new solid food every three to four days, using the waiting period between foods to watch for signs of sensitivity such as: diaper rash, gas, fussiness and/or increased spit-up.  If you do notice a reaction, make a note and wait for the symptoms to resolve before introducing additional foods.

• Six months: Beets, spinach, carrots, yams/sweet potato, squash, prunes, bananas, blackberries, blueberries, applesauce, pears, avocado, tahini, Brewer’s yeast
• Nine months: Peas, String beans, lima beans, lentils, kale, chard, potatoes, turnips, papaya, oatmeal, white rice, quinoa, egg yolk (not white)
• 12 months: Broccoli, onion, garlic, cilantro and other fresh spices, blackstrap molasses, brown rice, barley, goat’s milk, yogurt, plums, cherries
• 18 months: Fish, chicken, turkey, lamb, all beans, sea vegetables
• 21 months: Soy/tofu, citrus fruits, strawberries, nut butters (except peanut)
• Two years: peanut butter, corn, beef, egg whites, wheat

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