Nourishing Origins

There are a lot of things to consider when looking into starting solids with your baby. First is to realize that their biochemistry is different than an older child’s and even an adult’s. So, one must take into consideration a baby’s biochemistry and their physical and neurological developmental nutritional needs.

Pancreatic amylase enzyme is needed to digest grains, legumes, beans, nuts, and seeds. Pancreatic amylase doesn’t start fully producing till around 28 months of age. Before this age it is either not produced or only slightly produced, production increases the closer to 28 months of age. If you introduce these foods prior to full production of the pancreatic amylase the foods are either not digested at all or only partially digested, this is why allergies to these foods tend to be so prevalent. Waiting to introduce these foods will greatly reduce the risk of allergies to these foods and autoimmune diseases associated with them.

If you do try to introduce the “Pancreatic Amylase-Dependent” foods, it is best to start with quinoa. Quinoa is actually a grain alternative, a seed. It is the ONLY vegetarian complete protein source. Meaning you are able to get all your essential amino acids from it. However, it too can still cause sensitivities if given too early, so at the first sign of a reaction; cold symptoms, runny nose, cough, congestion, rash, etc., you will want to eliminate it from the diet and wait till after 28 months of age to re-introduce it again.

Raw non-denatured (different from un-denatured) whey protein powder is a great way to get healthy protein to your toddler. Put it in green super food smoothies for great health benefits to your child. This can be started whenever you desire to introduce smoothies. However, you would only use things in the smoothie that are age appropriate and have already been introduced fully into your child’s diet. You do not want to use the smoothie as a method of introducing a new food.

After about a year of age, or closer to the age of two if you prefer, you can start introducing healthy organic, free-range, hormone-free, antibiotic-free, vaccine-free, meats like beef, chicken, eggs, lamb, etc., and wild caught, deep sea, cold water fish. Do NOT ever use farm-raised fish! The levels of toxins in these fish are astounding.

Something else to consider is that children do NOT need milk to get calcium or vitamin D, especially if they are still breastfeeding! In fact, we do not need milk beyond the age of baby-led weaning period. However, if desiring to give dairy to your child, it should be for the healthy fats and fat soluble vitamins and minerals it offers them, and then you would ONLY want RAW dairy at that to be sure they are getting the full benefits. Processed dairy contains denatured protein, altered fats, and has killed all the beneficial antibodies, and rendered the vitamins and minerals present inactive due to pasteurization and homogenization. Processed dairy is the #1 cause of allergies and autoimmune diseases in childhood. You can avoid this by going RAW with dairy, and/or waiting till AFTER 2 years of age to give processed dairy, if ever, or choosing to forgo dairy all together.

By the age of 14 – 18 months many toddlers will be eating just about every fruit and veggie you can find at the market if you follow this approach. Most toddlers at this age range will also have most of their teeth. If your child does not have many of  his/her teeth yet, I’d suggest simply making sure you continue to steam, bake, broil, or grill the veggies so that it is a bit easier for him to chew. However, the firmer you allow the food to be, the more stimulation it gives the gums, which will stimulate the teeth to come in as well. You might try frozen cantaloupe spears, frozen pineapple spears, or frozen carrots for this as well, and/or use as healthy teething items, instead of biscuits that are very unhealthy and contain grains that the child is not ready to digest, or plastic teething toys, which are also very unhealthy.

Here is a list of the foods, along with crucial information about introducing solids to babies on the right side! Continue reading A Holistic Approach to Introducing Solids to Baby