4 Tips to Help Your Child Eat Well

When is the right time to start feeling your baby solids: three months, four months...six months? What does current research say about feeding peanuts (and other allergens) to children? I’m sure there are hundreds of questions to which first-time parents are seeking answers If you are looking to give your child a head start on solid sand you want to ensure that they eat well, here are a few things to remember:

1.The Right Time to Start Solids:

The latest recommendation from the WHO and the AAP is to wait until your child is at least six months old. Until then, formula/breastmilk should be the sole source of nutrition. In fact, even after introducing solids, breastmilk/formula should be the child’s primary source of nutrition in the beginning. That said, every baby is different, which means signs of readiness may come at different stages, with many babies ready closer to 4 or 5 months. Some of the signs that indicate your baby is ready to start solids include:

• They can hold their head in an upright position.
• They have lost the tongue-thrust reflex, i.e. they don’t push food out of their mouth.
• They’re interested in food and in opening their mouth whenever food comes their way.

2. Organic, Fresh Food Is the Best Choice:

Should you only feed your child organic baby food or is conventionally-farmed produce good enough?  Little Spoon offers a rotating menu of baby meals featuring more than 80 different organic ingredients that help your little one with exploring new flavors. All of the ingredients are clean, meaning no preservatives or additives - only fresh, whole ingredients such as vegetables, fruits, spices and plant-based proteins such as quinoa and spirulina. 

Several studies show that children who ate conventionally-farmed foods were found to have residual pesticides in their systems; these chemicals cleared up once the children made the switch to organic food [1]. Continued exposure to pesticides can make children vulnerable to delayed or impeded brain development. The great thing about fresh, organic baby food like Little Spoon (vs. the other organic grocery store options that sit on the shelf) is that the babyblends have the vibrant colors and textures you expect from fresh, homemade food, and is free of preservatives and intense heat pasteurization. 

3. Allergic Foods – Should You or Should You Not Introduce:

There are conflicting reports about introducing potential allergens to children early on in their lives. Peanuts, eggs, soy, and wheat are the most common allergens. The latest research, however, says that introducing these foods early is a good thing. But remember to discuss this topic with your pediatrician before introducing new foods. If you have a family history of allergies, oftentimes pediatricians will advise that you introduce new foods one at a time, that way you can monitor any allergic reactions.

4. What Should You Feed:

Start with simple, non-chunky options: pureed vegetables, fruits, soft grains, etc. You should be offering your child the same food you and the rest of your family enjoy daily, provided it’s healthy and fresh. For those who do not have the time to prepare homemade baby food, try Little Spoon. It’s as good as homemade food thanks to their use of organic and fresh produce. Little Spoon also offers a wide variety of Babyblends to help expand your baby’s palate and ensure all nutritional needs are met.