Before we leave the subject of breakfast, let’s get to know breakfast for kids. We’ve covered many popular breakfast foods for older children, but what about babies and toddlers? I’m thinking about this because we’re introducing foods to my 6-month-old grandson DJ. He stays with me 2 days per week, which means I am participating in this process.
My daughter-in-law naturally compares notes with friends and co-workers who have babies about the same age. She reports that most of them buy baby food. Some start by introducing rice cereal, others begin with oatmeal. Some mix in bananas immediately. Others feed one food at a time. Most of her friends choose an organic baby food brand. Her family advises that she should add rice cereal to bottles, and begin introducing fruit juice. Sometimes she just stares into space when we talk about it. As a first time mother, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by all the advice and differing opinions.
DJ’s pediatrician says, “Asking me when it’s okay to start giving him juice is like asking me when it’s okay to start giving him Oreos.” He doesn’t think a baby needs all the sugar in fruit juice. He also says that as DJ gets older, we can use a little prune juice for constipation, but to buy the adult version and dilute it with water rather than pay more for baby juice.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends only breast milk for the first 6 months and continuing to breastfeed until 12 months – even after the addition of solid foods. The AAP owned website Healthychildren.org advises against adding cereal to bottles because it is a choking hazard. (Exceptions are sometimes made for babies with reflux.) Babies need to be able to sit in a feeding chair or seat with good head control before introducing solids.
In the Healthychildren.org site’s guide to starting solid foods, there is no recommendation for introducing any certain food first. It is suggested that you introduce one food at a time for a period of several days before introducing another food. With each new food, watch for signs of an allergic reaction like diarrhea, rash, or vomiting. In a few months, your baby should eat a daily variety of meats, vegetables, fruits, eggs, and fish along with breast milk. A new recommendation is to expose your child to peanuts within the first year.
What about cereals?
It is traditional to introduce cereals before vegetables and fruit. Most baby cereals are made from rice, oats, or barley. There is no reason to begin with cereals and several reasons not to. Amylase, the enzyme need to break down and digest complex grains is not present in babies’ salivary glands until they have molars. Digesting grains takes more energy for an immature digestive systems and food intolerance can result from introducing foods for which the gut isn’t prepared.
There are also concerns about the arsenic levels in rice.
In a family with a history of celiac disease, if a child becomes sick, tired, and grumpy after the introduction of wheat, rye, barley, or oats, it may be best to discontinue those foods. If the child then feels better, remove those foods from his diet. Removing wheat, rye, barley, and oats will allow your child to feel good while you take some time to consult a doctor who has expertise in gluten intolerance and celiac disease. That still leaves rice, quinoa, millet, and certified gluten-free oats as cereal options.
Okay, I’ve introduced my baby to a variety of solid foods, what should she eat for breakfast?
If your baby is less than a year old, one or two simple foods followed by breast milk will suffice. A combination of protein and carbohydrates from fruit will give him a good start for the day. Eggs, applesauce, and bananas are good choices.
Toddlers can also benefit from protein, carbohydrates from fruit and a small amount of carbohydrates from whole grains. They will enjoy eggs, plain whole milk yogurt, fruit, and unsweetened warm cereals made from rice and oats. Once your child is over a year old, you can offer a small glass of whole milk along with breakfast.
What about fruit juice or cold cereal?
As we saw a couple of weeks ago when we compared the nutrition value in store bought orange juice to that of an orange, the orange is superior in providing vitamin C and fiber in fewer calories. As DJ’s pediatrician notes, there’s no need for a child to drink juice. Providing your child fresh fruit is a better option.
If you feel strongly about offering juice, your child will get the most nutritional benefit if you make it yourself from fresh fruits or vegetables just before serving and do not use sweetener. In fact, there’s nothing wrong with feeding your baby fresh fruits and vegetables from the very beginning. With the help of a baby food grinder or processor, you can create your own baby food in a matter of minutes from the options you cook for the rest of your family.
Bananas can be mashed with a fork and diluted with breast milk. Steamed broccoli pureed in a food processor with a little added water is one of DJ’s favorites. He also likes acorn squash, avocado, sweet potato, and applesauce. We’re about to introduce peas followed by butternut squash, then potatoes. So far, we haven’t felt a need to buy baby food. We will avoid preparing spinach, beets, green beans, collard greens, and carrots for him until he’s a little older because of a concern about the nitrate content.
Boxed breakfast cereal is highly processed and high in carbohydrates from grains. Many brands and flavors are also high in carbohydrates from added sugars. None of us has a nutritional need for added sugar. If you are going to choose a boxed cereal, be sure to read the nutrition label. The best choices will contain whole grain, no added sugar, minimal sodium, no gums, minimal starches, and no artificial ingredients.
Can’t I just give the kids some toast & jelly?
Whole grain toast can be a good option as long as it’s not topped with something sugary. Starting the day with a meal high in sugar and carbs and low in protein can lead to sudden fatigue mid-morning.
Other breakfast choices that are high in added sugar include pancake syrup, chocolate hazelnut spread, jelly, doughnuts, cinnamon rolls, toaster pastries or strudel, chocolate milk, and some muffins.
It’s okay to think outside the box.
Although it’s traditional to eat bacon or sausage in the morning, there’s nothing wrong with beef, chicken or fish for breakfast. Your child doesn’t have the same sense of tradition that you do and may like those just fine. Vegetables are another good option.
We all want to give our children the best start on the day that we can, and the best way to know what’s in your child’s food is to prepare it from fresh ingredients. Keep it simple with eggs and fruit or leftover chicken and vegetables and you’ll still be out the door in no time.
For more information regarding gluten intolerance and celiac disease from an allergist, pediatrician and gastroenterologist, visit drrodneyford.com.
http://www.foxnews.com/health/2016/09/11/are-infant-cereals-really-best-first-food-for-babies.html
http://www.babyfoodmakerguide.com/guide/top-10-best-baby-food-grinders-2016-reviews/
http://www.livestrong.com/article/541308-fruits-vegetables-that-are-high-in-nitrates/
