If you’re a parent, you know that you can never win. There’s always someone parenting better than you or, even worse, someone who feels the need to tell you every time you mess up. And now, there’s a new study telling parents that they’re feeding their babies the wrong way.
Okay, hear them out.
The World Health Organization and The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents wait at least six months before feeding their babies anything other than breast milk or formula. By introducing babies to solids too soon, they’ll miss out on important nutrients that can only be found in breast milk and formulas. These nutrients are particularly important during an infant’s early development.
But timing is everything. If you introduce your baby to solid foods too late, it can also have adverse affects. “Introducing them to complementary foods too late has been associated with micronutrient deficiencies, allergies, and poorer diets later in life,” researcher Chloe M. Barrera, who works for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says.
A new study from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey showed that only one-third of babies in the U.S. were introduced to complementary (a.k.a. solid) foods at the six-month mark. On top of that, two-thirds of people admitted to introducing food other than breast milk and formula before the recommended time. Because this survey was self-reported, researchers believe the numbers may actually be even higher.
About 16% were given solids or other drinks before 4 months old, and about 38% started solids by 5 months, the study revealed. However, nearly 13% of babies didn’t start solids until they were 7 months or older.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture and Department of Health and Human Services are currently developing federal dietary guidelines for children under two years, which will be released in 2020. While the details of this plan are being fleshed out, Jaclyn London, MS, RD, CDN, the Nutrition Director at the Good Housekeeping Institute, encourages parents to not only follow the six-month rule but to also focus on certain developmental behaviors.
“There are certain developmental indicators that show when a child is ready for solids, including the ability to sit up with support, lean back and forth when interested in food, sufficient head and neck control, and readiness for a variety of textures (ex. hands in their mouth),” she says.
When a baby is ready for solids (remember every baby is different!), London recommends that parents refrain from diving in headfirst. Start off with single-ingredient, finely pureed foods. She recommends simple solids like iron-fortified rice cereal. Most importantly, avoid any foods that could cause a potential choking hazard, like grapes, nuts, or carrots.
Of course, it’s important to always check with your child’s pediatrician before you make any changes to his or her feeding routine. This isn’t about shaming parents, it’s about making sure they have information to make the best decision for their child.
