Infant Feeding Myths

When most people think of healthy eating, they often don't think of the very first time you start - the first year of life! There's some new information about infant feeding to support good health (and a healthy weight!), that I think you'll want to know.

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While most of us take the advice of our moms and grandmas when it comes to feeding our babies, sometimes that information need a little updating! I think it's important for moms and moms-to-be (and even grandmas providing information!) to become experts on their own babies, and to seek accurate nutrition information at this key developmental time (when the brain and nervous system are rapidly growing). While you can find a lot of accurate information on-line, it's often way too technical and medical for practical take-home messages.

While breast milk is the always the first choice for infant feeding, the good news is that infant formulas are new and improved, and mimic the variety of nutrients present naturally in breast milk, when human milk is not available (there are a variety of reasons for this!). A wonderful pediatrician I know told me that "90% of his patients breast feed, and 90% use infant formula". Whatever you choose, these should be the only sources of food for the first 4 -6 months of life.

Of particular concern for some new moms that both breast milk and formula contain 50% fat. In our weight-crazed society, many wonder if all this fat will make our babies fat! Not true. Fat serves as both fuel, and the key source of essential fatty acids (called DHA and ARA) for brain and nervous system growth - which are key to cognitive function (brainpower!), visual acuity (part of the eye, the retina, is actually a mini-brain) and many other functions.

But it's more than just the food. Watch for your baby's cues for both hunger and fullness. Feed when your baby is hungry, and not solely by a set schedule. Discuss your baby's growth rate with your pediatrician, to determine if you need to modify your feeding type or amount.

When it comes to solid foods, by the time your baby is 6 months old, the needs for iron and other nutrients cannot be met solely by breast milk or formula. While cereal was the go-to starter food, it's now being rethought as to whether proteins should be offered first. The jury is still out on that. And nix the juice; babies should eat their fruit, not drink it (just like adults!).

My bottom line? Become an expert on your own baby. Look for science-based information on-line, in books and journals, and from personal networking and include your pediatrician as a trusted resource.

Be confident and informed, and you will have a well-nourished - and healthy weight - baby.