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Better Baby Food
- November 13, 2008 3:11 PM |
- By Your Voice
We all want to eat healthy, well-balanced and nutritious meals -- while enjoying the odd little treat.
Proper nutrition is especially important when you add the responsibility of nourishing a new life.
But how do we know how to make sure our children are getting the best-possible diet in those crucial first years of life? And -- for some of us -- the added pressure of tougher economic times may add the challenge of delivering nutrition on a budget.
Daina Kalnins and Joanne Saab are the authors of Better Baby Food, a guide to providing nutrition for young children from birth to 24 months and beyond. It covers everything from breast and bottle feeding through to the introduction of solid foods.
Daina Kalnins & Joanne Saab
Kalnins and Saab are both registered dietitians. Each is also the mother of two young children, who provided some of the feedback for the recipes in their book.
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Comments (36)
My little guy (24 months) is a great eater when it comes to meat and veggies but doesn't care for fruit. Since every mouthful is a fight, what fruits will give him the most benefit? Should I start giving him juice?
The authors reply:
Hi Sandra. So nice to hear you have a great eater. All fruits have health benefits, so hard to pick one that is better than the other. Maybe your little boy has a texture preference — he may prefer crunchier fruits like thinly sliced apples, to slices of mangoes, or vice versa? You may try mashing some berries and offering these with a hot cereal like steel cut oats. Juice does not have the same benefits as the whole fruit — lacking in fibre and the many other nutrients found in fruits. As well, some little ones get used to juice and then refuse to have water as a thirst quencher, resulting in a constant sugar supply from the juice that may displace other foods.
My question is about transitioning babies from formula to solids. My 8 month-old is growing well but isn't a big eater. If I give him a full bottle, he doesn't eat a lot of solids, and vice-versa. Should I be cutting back his formula to encourage him to eat more solids?
The authors reply:
Eight months is the age at which solids start to replace milk, whether breast milk or formula, more and more. Try offering the solids only at a meal, Tanya, and then offering the milk between meals. Not sure if you are making your own food for your little one, but you will find that there is a freshness and better taste in some of the homemade versions of these mashed or puréed foods that you just cannot find in the commercial varieties. (Note that both commercial and homemade varieties of foods do have similar nutritional content.)
Why are the manufacturers not required to list "filler" in their ingredients for baby food?
My wife and I have conscientiously picked up and read umpteen books on baby feeding and baby nutrition, and even bought some of them. However, we have noticed, many, if not most, of them seem to position themselves somewhat carefully with regard to "turf". Almost every book we have read dismisses the approach of almost every other book using terms such as "unscientific", or "outdated" or some other disparaging term.
We never knew there was such rivalry in the baby food experts business until we had our own child.
Do you have favourite books to recommend, and if so, how do you reconcile the fact that many other books will insist your picks are wrong?
How do you pick the right one? Is there only one right book to believe in, and is it a matter of faith, of believing in the right expert?
The authors reply:
We appreciate your wife's and your frustrations, Russell. Trying to get information from a reliable source, on any topic, much less one that is so very important to health, such as feeding your baby, can be quite a challenge. We have tried to provide the facts on nutrition and feeding infants and young children in our books here at Sick Kids — Better Baby Food (2008) and Better Food for Kids (2002) (both Robert Rose publisher) — which have been reviewed by our colleagues inside and oustside of Sick Kids. The books offer objective material based on current evidence, along with some opinions, of course, based on our experiences.
Best to look for books that are written by registered dietitians, and/or that come from reliable groups or institutions. Also, speak with your friends and pediatrician or family doctor for their recommendations. We also recommend checking out the national health organizations like Health Canada or Dietitians of Canada to see what their sites offer on the topics. Best of luck.
My 2 year old daughter is a very picky eater and is allergic to eggs to boot. My husband and I constantly worry that she isn't eating enough. Our doctor says we should just let her continue her grazing habits. However when we do get her to sit down for a meal I am not sure how much food I should give her on her plate. What are some portion sizes for a 2 year old?
The authors reply:
Grazing on foods or snacks are important for two-year-olds, Sarah. We agree with your doctor. Just watch that her grazing is not too close to meal time — within one hour — so that she still has an appetite for foods offered then. Here are some suggested portion sizes for a two-year-old: ¼-½ cup of cereal or pasta, ½-1 slice of bread, ¼ -½ cup of fruits or vegetables, ½-1 cup of milk or yogurt and 2-4 tablespoons of meat or poultry, ¼ cup of cooked beans. Adults, remember, our portion sizes should usually be smaller than we tend to consume as well!
My 4 1/2 month old is a big boy at 22 lbs and was drinking 8oz of formula every 2-3 hours so I started him on rice cereal, once a day, at 4 months. He spits out much of the cereal but is happy to eat pureed carrots, banana, or apples. What are the risks of having him on 'regular' food at such a young age?
The authors reply:
As long as he is getting the majority of his nutrition from his formula (at this age) he should be fine, Heather. Formula provides all the nutrients he needs right now. Be careful not to let him have too much in the way of the fruits or vegetables, as these are relatively low in certain nutrients like protein, calcium and iron. Once he is on meats and iron-fortified cereals, he does not need to depend on his formula for the protein and iron and other nutrients that are naturally found in these foods.
Why are the manufacturers allowed to use artifical sweeteners in their baby food? I was looking at my granddaughter's rice cereal and it listed oligofructose as an ingredient.
When I was introducing foods to my youngest child, rice was the first cereal recommended by the doctor. When I challenged him on it, he said he never really thought about what people did before the packaged cereals - it was just routine to feed the packaged cereals.
I cooked dry cereals such as rice/oatmeal/cream of wheat and fed it to her instead. She never had packaged baby food ever. No health problems ever.
The authors reply:
Hi Kathy. Oligofructose is considered a prebiotic, with little digestablity but beneficial for the gut flora. So it might add some sweetness, but little energy value. Great question about why rice cereal has been recommended as the first starter food. One main reason is that it is a good source of iron, which is an important nutrient to add at six months, after exclusive breastfeeding, when iron stores may become depleted. Meat is perfectly acceptable as an iron source at six months as well. Also, there is no need to introduce vegetables before fruits — or vice versa. Introducing single foods, one at a time over a couple of days will help parents observe any intolerances to new foods. We encourage parents to make their own baby food, keeping in mind that homemade cereals may not have the additional iron that commercial infant cereals have. Starting meat as well as the homemade cereal may be advised to ensure adequate iron intake, especially for infants who have been exclusively breastfed to six months.
My eleven month old daughter has had constipation issues since the introduction of solid foods at 5 1/2 months. We have tried prunes, and lots of fruits and vegetables. Right now we are giving her pear juice daily. Can you give any other recommendations or reasons for this condition.
The authors reply:
Constipation in young children is very frustrating for those with this gastrointestinal issue, as well as for the parents! Sometimes genetics plays a role in constipation — a parent who has constipation issues may be more likely to have a child who tends to have this problem. Best to speak with your doctor about your daughter's situation, Molly. Meantime, you can try some added high-fibre grains (look for those breads or cereals that have at least two grams of fibre in each serving), lentils, beans and other legumes. These are all rich in fibre. Quinoa is also a great grain to try (good source of iron and protein as well!). Offer some kiwi fruit, which is also high in fibre. Fluids are important for children — water can be offered between meals. Ask you doctor about lactulose — this is a non-digestable sugar that can help relieve periods of constipation.
I gave my son Peanut Butter at age 1, and he developed a few hives around his mouth. Tried a few more times, happened again, never got any more severe than 2 or 3 hives around his mouth. Our GP figures it is just a topical allergy and to try again when he is 2 (in 5 months). What is your opinion on this situation?
The authors reply:
Peanuts can produce quite a severe allergic reaction, Helen, so we would be careful with future introduction of peanuts or peanut products. Peanut allergies can cause anaphylaxis, which is a severe and life-threatening allergic reaction. Next time that you want to try peanuts, ask your physician if you could do so in his office, under supervision, with an epi pen nearby, just in case. Keep in mind, peanuts belong to the legume family, so soy and other legumes may also be suspect. Some children with an allergy to peanuts may also have an allergy to other nuts, tree nuts like almonds or cashews, but note this is not always the case. You may wish to have allergy testing in the near future. (Note: peanuts grow in the ground, unlike tree nuts.)
My 1 year old daughter recently started going to daycare. I breastfeed her at home but have to pack a bottle of formula or cow's milk while she is away at daycare. Recently she has started to refuse the bottled milk. Should I be concerned? She still breastfeeds while at home but is there any way to get her back on the bottled milk?
The authors reply:
Your little one may just be ready for a cup instead, Razan. Try offering her water or your milk or whole milk in a cup at home. Likely no need for concern about her fluids, as she does get some fluid from fruits and vegetables.
Hello, my 18 month old daughter is a really picky eater. She has about 6 things she will eat and nothing will get her to eat anything else. She likes toast, peanut butter, any kind of fruit,yogurt, some cereal, occasional egg and cheese. No veg, no meat. She drinks milk from a cup. We are worried about her diet and are at a loss as to how to get her to eat other foods, particularly meat.
The authors reply:
Susane, picky eaters can cause so much frustration for parents — we hear about this all the time. Keep in mind that the majority of even the seemingly pickiest eaters continue to grow normally and get the nutrients they need. Keep offering a variety of new foods, in smaller portions, and try lightly spiced or lightly herbed foods (not including salt). You'd be surprised at what you may discover! Many parents of picky eaters try the plainest of foods, thinking these will appeal more to their child, but the opposite may in fact be true. Experiment and try not to be discouraged — research shows that it may take over 10 times before a child accepts a new food!
How long do you recommend freezing home-made steamed and pureed baby food- e.g., pureed carrots?
The authors reply:
Great that you are making your own foods, Alexandra. We encourage you to share how easy it is with others! Homemade baby food can keep in the freezer for about two to three months.
Mine 9 1/2 month old was eating three meals a day and breastfeeding four times a day, but he has lost interest in solid food and has gone back to breastfeeding a lot more often. He is not sick. Is there a way to get him to eat solid or should I wait this out?
The authors reply:
Hi Chantal. An infant's intake can be variable and your baby will likely go back to eating solids again. That being said, do not stop offering solids. The time between nine to 12 months of age is an important developmental stage, where infants are exposed to different consistencies of solids. Offer solids on a daily basis and if your little one seems less interested for a few weeks, try not to worry.
My son is 15 months old and goes crazy for bananas. Some days he'll eat two whole bananas, not in the same sitting. I'm concerned that he may be getting too much and it could lead to stomach cramps or constipation. What would you recommend?
The authors reply:
Toddlers are often interested in a certain food for extended periods of time. This is quite common and you shouldn't worry, Laurie. If he loves bananas, great. Continue to offer him different fruits and vegetables for exposure to new tastes but if bananas are his favourite right now, that's OK too. Bananas are not constipating and can be enjoyed freely.
Hi, my son is 6 months old now and just starting solid foods. I was wondering what I should expect in terms of a decrease in his milk intake over the next few weeks and months (he is formula fed)?
The authors reply:
Hi Petrina. While we cannot give specifics on exactly how much less your son will drink when he starts solids, we can confirm that generally you will see a decrease in the amount that he drinks by bottle. All babies are different and the amount of solids that they eat and their corresponding decrease in breast or bottle feeds will vary from child to child. As long as your child continues to have four to five wet diapers daily and he is growing between doctors check-ups, you can be confident that he is taking enough.
If my 10 month old baby happily continues breastfeeding and follows a comprehension diet, should I still offer milk at 12 months? Is it safe to serve family meals that include milk (ie soups, sauces) before 12 months? Do you recommended splurging on organic milk and dairy products? Thanks!
The authors reply:
If your baby is happy to continue breastfeeding, you do not need to offer liquid milk at 12 months unless you choose to do so. It is safe to offer family meals that contain dairy products after the age of six months. The choice on whether or not to go organic is a personal one, Corrie. Babies will continue to receive the nutritional benefits of dairy products (e.g. calcium, vitamin D) if you choose either traditional or organic cow's milk.
My 14 month old daughter is tall (90th %-tile), but slim (25th %-tile). She is clearly healthy and happy, and is a busy little person burning up calories. My doctor has suggested trying to get her on higher fat foods to help her gain a little weight.
Besides dairy products (which we're still avoiding because of severe allergy histories on both sides of the family), what are some good, healthy, high fat foods that she might like?
The authors reply:
Dairy products tend to make up the majority source of fat in a toddler's diet but other choices can include nut butters (e.g. almond or peanut), mashed avocado, milk-free margarine or using a healthy oil (e.g. olive) when cooking. Avoiding dairy products long-term because of a fear of milk allergy will not prevent the milk allergy from occuring. Wendy, you may wish to ask your doctor about having your daughter tested for food allergies. Also, we know that while the risk of development of allergy and other atopic diseases (e.g. asthma) increases if there is a family history, specific food allergies are not inherited (e.g. milk or nut etc.).
How do I convince parent in my practices to make their own baby food and not buy bottled food ?
The authors reply:
Dr. Barry, while we like to encourage parents to make their own baby food by telling them to try and see how quick and simple it is, we understand that some parents are still reluctant. Vegetables are extremely easy as it takes only minutes to add a few extra carrots (or broccoli etc.) to your dinner that evening for mashing or puréeing afterwards. Many fruits (such as banana, mango, avocado and ripe pears) require no cooking at all and can simply be peeled, seeded and mashed then frozen for extremely quick access in the coming weeks. If lack of recipes is a problem, we provide many in Better Baby Food. Because of concerns over phthalates in the plastic coating on lids of jarred foods, this may provide more incentive for parents to make their own food. As well, making your own baby food gives parents the knowledge and comfort of knowing exaclty what they are feeding their child, and where that food came from.
Hello,
I have an almost 6 month old baby girl. We overcame huge obstacles of pain and suffering to keep her breastfeeding since birth. We have done well together and she is healthy and happy. Now it is time to start on some type of cereals but I recently spoke with a health nurse and she recommended protein as the next step after that.
Could that be right? Am I to grind up chicken or pork and feed it to my baby?
Feeding baby should not be this hard, I feel overwhelmed with all the information out there?
Thank-you
Andrea
The authors reply:
Hi Andrea. There are a lot of recommendations out there and much of it can seem overwhelming at times. The recommendation to offer meat at six months is because meat is a good source of iron when a baby's own iron stores are being depleted around this time. Iron-fortified infant cereals are also a good source of iron and can be offered as a first food as well. The choice is yours.
My wife and I are concerned about our 13 month old. We have tried introducing numerous foods (including many fruits/veggies) but the only ones he will eat are crackers, "goldfish crackers", and cheerios. Because of this we are still supplementing him with infant formula because we are concerned that without it he will not be getting all the nutrients he needs. We would REALLY appreciate any advice you might have as to how we can get him to eat a more varied diet. Thank you!!
The authors reply:
Thank you for your question, Mark. This question can likely not be answered quickly in this type of forum. It would depend on when your child was introduced to solids and what his total intake of other foods is over the course of the day. If your son is growing and thriving you can take some of the pressure off yourselves. Children take to solids at different rates and he will likely start to take more as time goes on. Continue to offer a variety of different solids including a protein, vegetable and fruit source at meal times but do not force him to eat. Try and keep mealtimes pleasurable for him. Maybe put away some of the crackers for a few days — if unavailable, this may stimulate him to try some new foods.
during and before pregnancy, my wife has been on organic diet, now taking organic supplements, she is a nutritionist. what can i do to ensure my child is well fed.
The authors reply:
You can ensure that your child is well fed by encouraging exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life and then start with the gradual introduction of solids, starting with a single-ingredient iron-containing food. Varying textures can be introduced around eight to nine months of age and if your child is growing well and following his/her growth curve at your routine doctor's visits, then you can rest assured that your child is well fed. We, as registered dietitians, do caution on the routine use of supplements during breastfeeding and for young children. Some supplements do have medicinal properties that can affect a growing child.
Is tap water OK to give my 8 month old baby or is natural spring water better? I would like more information on the best water for babies.
The authors reply:
Tap water is fine to give your eight-month-old baby, Marcelline. If you choose to use bottled water that is OK too (although expensive) but be sure to check and see if your bottled water contains fluoride, which is important for the healthy development of your child's teeth. Keep your bottled water in a cool place.
Hi, I was wondering how much milk a 20 month old should drink? I currently give my daugher 2 and a half 9 oz bottle of homo milk in one day, is that too much?
The authors reply:
The maximum amount of milk we would recommend for a 20-month-old infant is between 16 to 24 ounces a day, Iman. Too much milk can lead to iron deficiency anemia in toddlers because the large intake of milk makes them too full to eat other foods that are better dietary sources of iron. Try to encourage your daughter to drink her milk from a cup or sippy cup, which should naturally decrease the amount she drinks and will then help her be hungry for other foods.
My son is almost six. Since I cut of his bottle at age 3, he does not drink milk. Also, he does not eat fruit either. What are other options that I should do with him.
thanks
Susan
The authors reply:
For young children like your son, who do not like liquid milk, Susan, you can try chocolate milk as an alternative. Chocolate milk contains all the calcium and vitamin D of white milk (although it does contain more sugar). Other options for dairy include cheese, yogurt or cottage cheese. All of these are good choices as alternatives to milk. Calcium-fortified orange juice is also a reasonable option, although it does not contain a source of vitamin D. It is unusual for kids not to like ANY fruits (or vegetables for that matter). At six years old, you can ask your son if there are any fruits that he likes or would be willing to try. Take him to the market or grocery store and let him choose for himself a fruit he would like to try that week. As alternatives you can also try unsweetened applesauce cups or "tubes" or canned fruit packed in its own juice or dried fruit such as unsweetened apricots, raisins or fruit chews (keeping in mind that teeth should be brushed shortly after eating these kinds of fruit).
What I would like to know is why books never have sections entitled "Bottle Feeding Problems"? And why companies aren't forced to clearly disclose their funding on nutritional studies. A formula/baby feed company is hardly going to fund let alone publicise a study that will harm their corporate interests.
I was encouraged to put my child on a bottle to help her sleep through the night by her pediatrician. I did, she continued to cry all night, I went back, he suggested soy formula, she continued to cry at night but by then my milk had dried up. To put salt in the wound, then I was forced to be up just as much but for longer periods because now I had to heat a bottle. No one ever talks about that when they talk about the "choice" of bottlefeeding. My next child - I ignored all the hype, the nutritional "advice" from doctors and studies funded by the formula companies - guess what: 99% of babies get up at night, it is normal! My second child hardly got sick compared to my first.
The authors reply:
Kathy, we can't say for sure why books do not have sections on bottle-feeding problems. It is unfortunate that you were encouraged to stop breastfeeding to encourage your little one to sleep through the night. There is no good evidence to support that offering a bottle will help babies sleep through the night and yet this is often the advice that mothers are given.
When nutritional studies looking at infant formulas are published, if they have received funding through a formula company, they are required to publish this association. Sometimes, however, when reported in the media, this information is not provided to the consumer.
My son is 9 1/2 months old and will no longer eat anything pureed/mashed. He prefers to feed himself. We are concerned that he is not eating enough and if he does eat it's usually only the pasta, bread, cheese that we offer him after fighting with the veggies, meat and fruit. We are worried that he is not eating enough and is not getting the proper nutrients. He still gets about 23 oz of formula a day. He also has problems with constipation.
The authors reply:
It is perfectly fine that your son will not take purées anymore if he enjoys solid foods and feeding himself. Also, the amount of formula he is taking sounds appropriate, Jaime. Mothers often worry that their children are not taking enough as they wean from a liquid diet to a more solid-based diet. Continue to offer him a variety of foods but don't force him to eat the things he does not enjoy. As long as he is growing and gaining weight, he is getting enough.
My son is 15 months old, and was gradually introduced to solids at 4/5 months. Right now, his diet is:
8:30a.m. 150 ml cereal
200 ml bottle (1/2 goat milk - 1/2 toddler formula)
12:30a.m. 70 ml (one Baby Cube) fruit or veg
70 ml (one Baby Cube) meat
1 tublet of yogurt or applesauce
1/2 glass juice
4:30p.m. 70 ml (one Baby Cube) fruit or veg
70 ml (one Baby Cube) meat
1 tublet of yogurt or applesauce
1/2 glass juice
8:30p.m. 200 ml bottle (1/2 goat milk - 1/2 toddler formula)
I make his food and use organic meat and veggies/fruit. My questions are:
(a) is the quantity on par for his age (he's ht80%/wt80%/hd80%)
(b)he won't feed himself - if you put it in front of him he smears it or throws it off the high chair. Is there a way to teach him without him starving first?
(c)due to freezer-space issues I can only make two or three batches of food at a time, so that's all he gets for a couple of weeks (ie. squash/chicken/cranberries, then broccoli/beef/mango, etc.) This means he may go two weeks with no greens, or two weeks with only greens...is this bad? Should I immediately start saving for a deep-freeze and buy ten more packs of Baby Cubes?
Thanks!
The authors reply:
If your son plots on the 80th percentile for both height, weight and head circumference, then you can rest assured that he is getting enough. The length of time that a baby is on purées is typically short and by 15 months we would encourage you to try and get away from purées and start offering more textures that he can feed himself. Most toddlers do not feed themselves purées without creating a huge mess in the process. Start by encouraging him to take small cubes of cheese or diced meat that he can pick up by himself. Small pieces of soft fruit or diced veggies also work well here.
My 19-month-old toddler outright refuses to eat vegetables. I manage to hide them in meatloaf and pizza, but that type of trickery is time-consuming. How can I ensure he's getting enough vegetables and how can I encourage him to warm up to them?
The authors reply:
While it is common for toddlers to refuse certain veggies, it is less common for them to refuse all vegetables. Try experimenting with different vegetables, Allison, or preparing them in a different manner. Hiding them in meatloafs etc. can be helpful in the short term but it will not help with the acceptance of new vegetables and the exposure to new foods in the long run.
Stage 2 formula has 5 times as much calories as stage 1. If my 8 moth old gets solids and breast milk during the day and only drinks formula at bedtime when she doesn't need that much energy, which one is better for her?
The authors reply:
Hi Linda. Stage 2 formulas actually have the same amount of calories as the stage 1 formulas. They have slightly different nutrient profiles but the stage 2 formulas are meant to encourage parents to continue to offer formula (rather than introducing cow's milk) for a longer period of time. Your eight-month-old infant can continue to grow and thrive on her newborn infant formula until you decide to offer cow's milk. Also, continuing to breastfeed is the best thing you can do for your child.
1. Does a 15 months old toddler, who gains weight normally and has no medical problems...need a snack before bed?
2. Will that help with sleeping at night? He gets up early (5:30-6 am) I give him milk and then after 30-40 minutes breakfast...he seems to be waking up because eaither thirsty or hungry not sure...
The authors reply:
Toddlers do not necessarily require a snack before bed, Victoria. They should have about three meals and three snacks daily. A bedtime snack will not ensure that your toddler sleeps longer, although you can certainly see if helps it if he seems hungry in the morning. Six a.m. is a common wake-up time for many young children and it may just be that your son has had enough sleep by this time.
How much milk should a 14-month old baby drink? Mu daughter drinks 36 oz a day. Is it too much?
The authors reply:
Hi Anastasia. Children at 14 months need about 24 ounces of milk a day, so this will leave enough room for other foods. Thirty-six ounces a day of whole milk provides about 700 calories, and children at this age need about 900 to 1100 calories per day. So we suggest that you cut down on the milk, as 36 ounces does not leave much room for other foods.
Do I need to boil tap water for a 14-month old baby?
thanks!
The authors reply:
As long as your tap water is safe to drink for the rest of the family, you do not need to boil your tap water for your 14-month-old.
My 16 month old is generally healthy with the exception of constant ear infections. He is just over 20 pounds and he eats only small portions of food. I try to give him options but he just doesn't care for food. How can I get him to eat more. He still breastfeeds at night and he drinks some formulla during the day but not much.
Thanks
The authors reply:
Try offering solids separately from his fluids, Laura. The formula you are offering has more energy than regular whole milk, so that is a good choice for now. If he likes juice, limit to no more than four to six ounces per day, as any more can displace other foods. If there are no allergies, you can offer nut butters as a good nutritional high-energy source. Other suggestions to promote weight gain? Mashed avocado, additional butter or oils can be added to his food. Try grated cheese added to his soups or pastas.
My 15 month old son is healthy and happy. He eats and drinks well. I breast fed him for 6 months and he's been drinking formula since then. I'd like to give him formula until he's 18 months old but EVERYONE is telling me to switch him to cows milk. I feel that cows milk is nutritionally correct for calves, not for babies. But I'm also concerned about what's in formula. Have there been any long term studies of children fed cows milk vs formula? Also, companies have come out with transitional formulas for older babies and toddlers. Are these necessary or are the companies trying to keep parents buying formula for longer?
The authors reply:
Nothing wrong with offering formula at this age, Wendy, as long as you are willing to pay for the higher cost, compared to whole cow's milk. If your child is eating a variety of foods, keep in mind that infant formula is really no longer necessary. Cow's milk is perfectly fine to give to young children. Our milk in Canada is safe and nutritious, providing calcium, protein and other minerals as well as energy. As long as your little one is eating foods that contain iron, like chicken, meat, tofu, quinoa, and legumes, as examples, he no longer needs the iron that is in infant formula. No need for the transitional formulas, though they are less expensive than the infant formulas for this age. Studies regarding cow's milk versus formula are mainly done in the less-than-one-year age group, looking at iron intake — research shows that cow's milk introduced before one year of age results in inadequate iron intake and possibly iron deficiency, so that is why formula (if not breastfed) is recommended until one year of age.
What foods would you recommend as good vegetarian sources of iron for a 9-month-old baby?
The authors reply:
Hi Sabra. Vegetarian sources of iron include whole grain breads, fortified cereals, oatmeal, firm tofu, quinoa, and legumes. Many of these are also a good source of fibre — so good for the rest of the family too!
Is it possible to have severe vomiting for 2 days and diarrhea for a week as an allergic reaction to bananas?
The authors reply:
Hi Linda. We are not sure if the allergic reaction can last that long, in other words, if the diarrhea is continuing because of the suspected allergy to bananas. What is known, is that a latex allergy is sometimes associated with an allergy to bananas — check with your physician for more information on this.