by Jane Clarice

Created on: April 26, 2010

Food is pretty much the most basic thing in existence, right?  People need to eat to stay alive and, outside of breathing, there is really no easier activity than chewing. So, why are solids so complicated when it comes to babies?

Food Allergies
The first decision you will likely have to make is when to start feeding your baby solids.  The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusively breastfeeding your child for six months.  Of course, not all families take this route, so this piece will recognize that starting at four months is an option if you want it to be and if your pediatrician is on board with it.

Studies about age at which a child first starts solids are of little help.  The "open gut" theory is that, between four and six months of age, babies have an "open gut," which means that the small intestine’s cells have spaces that will allow intact macromolecules, including whole proteins and pathogens, to pass directly into the bloodstream. Some Other scientific studies have recently shown that delaying introduction of solid foods may be associated with increased risk of food allergies.

In other words, science is on your side for reducing your child's chance of allergies whether you choose to introduce solids at four months or six months.  In even more words, nobody seems to know, so go with your gut (pun intended).

Sleep
Wives’ tales tell parents that children will sleep much better after starting solids.   Science no longer believes that solids make a baby sleep for longer periods or more soundly, perhaps with the exception of babies who are not getting enough to eat or are not properly gaining weight. (See Committee on Nutrition American Academy of Pediatrics. Supplemental foods for infants. In: Pediatric Nutrition Handbook, 4th ed, Kleinman, RE (Ed), American Academy of Pediatrics, Elk Grove Village, IL 1998. p.43.  Link not available.)  Most parents do not report a noticeable difference in their child’s sleep.  Those parents who do notice a difference tend to see the change happen slowly and, coincidentally, at the same time as other changes in the child’s life.

Is Organic Necessary
The American Academy of Pediatrics says that organic baby food is no more nutritious or safer than other baby foods.  Organic baby food is also more expensive that other baby foods.  Organic foods, of course, do expose your baby to fewer pesticides and other contaminants in raw food.  Remember,

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