Starting Solids - Why I Don't Recommend Baby Rice

The phase of starting babies on solid food is currently one of hot debate with conflicting information. This is representative of the current climate of change in nutrition globally. The aim of this blog post is to shed some light on this, look at our current guidelines compared to other research and also show why I am strong opposed to starting babies off on baby rice or any other variation of infant cereal.



Up until six months of age, babies obtain all the nutrients they require from breast milk or formula. Just as a side note here for those that do not know my previous challenges with breastfeeding you can read this here. Breast milk has low amounts of iron – when you look at the typical composition it is virtually none. However, babies are born with enough iron stores to last through to six months of age. Formula typically has a little bit more iron than breast milk – however it is low overall, again for the reason that babies have enough iron supplies at birth.

Our current World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines recommend exclusive breastfeeding/formula feeding until this six month mark. This is something I strongly advocate for. Here is where the confusion can often start as in New Zealand, some health care providers recommend from 4-6 months. In my expert experience in working with mums the percentage of babies physically ready to start solids at four months of age is very small. And no, starting solids is not something that may help babies start to sleep through the night – if anything it can actually make sleep go backwards as their digestive system is learning to adapt to this, more so if they are not ready and/or are given baby rice which will add to digestive discomfort.

The low drop off in iron stores at six months has previously been the driving reason for the recommendations to start babies off on an iron fortified baby rice cereal. While, yes this is a concern for infants, through providing nutrient dense baby food (from real food) this can be overcome without having to use a processed product which babies gastrointestinal tracts are not ready for.

Enzymes

It takes two years for a babies GI tract (gastrointestinal tract) to be fully mature. Over this period babies and children will be physically adjusting to different foods. Specifically, in order for the body to digest grains it uses an enzyme called amylase (this is responsible for splitting the starches present in grains). At around six months of age babies start to produce small amounts of salivary amalyse but pancreatic amylase which is required to fully break down grains, is not produced until about the age of 10-12 months when the molar teeth are fully developed (Edwards & Parrett, 2002, British Journal of Nutrition).

Grains which are not digested can really impact on a babies GI tract. In particular the lining of the intestine can be affected, upsetting the delicate balance of bacteria which can decrease immunity and also decrease the body’s ability to absorb key nutrients. This can also result in digestive cramping, bloating, discomfit and overall irritability. There is some research to suggest that the introduction of grains may play a role in the development of certain food allergies and in tolerances as well. There will be variation between infants in their ability to digest grains especially as the small amount of salivary amylase will partially break down the glucose molecule bonds - this makes it tricky as parents to determine just how much your baby is being affected by grains.



Insulin Response

In addition to the digestive discomfort, grains of any kind, especially those highly processed, require the production of insulin in order for the carbohydrate to be taken up by the cells. Excessive amounts of insulin production long term can affect metabolism, blood sugar regulation, increase the risk of type two diabetes and weight management difficulties. New research has been emerging over the last few years on this response in adults, including from my colleges and PhD supervisor Grant Scholfield. While further research is required to understand the long-term implications of the impact of excessive insulin production in infants, the basis of a optimal diet is formed from good vegetable, protein and fat intake - starting babies off on this is paramount.

Lack of Nutrients

Unlike vegetables and meat, baby cereals lack in overall nutrients. They provide high energy but not the vitamins and minerals that babies require. In particular vitamin A, folate, zinc, calcium are not provided in baby cereals. For example 1 tablespoon of carrots give enough Vitamin A for the whole day for a baby 6-10 months old (WHO). Regardless of if you do start with baby rice, it is crucial to introduce nutrient dense food sources (vegetables, meat/meat alternative sources and fat). Given babies often do not consume huge amounts of food over the first few months, starting off with these foods will ensure that they are getting the key nutrients they require.



Habit and Preparation

Habit and practicing the preparation of meals are key to children eating well long term. Vegetables in particular is something that many parents struggle getting into little ones. Starting children off on vegetables can play a key role in saving these battles, it is a lot harder adjusting to their taste when babies have had other foods, especially those that are processed. In addition the preparation involved is important for parents to get used to – and trying to use as much of the family meals as possible and adapt them to babies makes life significantly easier! This is one of the key reasons I created Healthy Easy Dinners for Busy Mums!



So what do you start babies off on?

Interestingly enough the WHO and UNICEF both recommend “introduction of nutritionally-adequate and safe complementary (solid) foods at 6 months together with continued breastfeeding up to 2 years of age or beyond”.

In the WHO Complementary Feeding Guide the recommendations are to start babies off on foods which are:

*Rich in nutrients and energy

*Clean and safe

*Affordable

*Easy to prepare from family meals

What is key here is that, there is no mention of baby rice at all – the only suggestion is to start with a stable food in your particular country of origin.



I would recommend starting with a vegetable such as pumpkin or butternut pumpkin - both have a lot of natural flavour and are easy on the GI tract. Once babies have adjusted to this, quickly (within 1-4 weeks into the starting solids journey depending on development) adding a form of meat such as chicken, or even the chicken stock into the puree this is to ensure babies are getting a high source of iron, fat and vitamin B12. You can check out my Butternut Pumpkin Puree here.

A note on bought baby food – I do recommend making your food at home, I know it takes time but a lot of bought baby food just does not compare nutritionally. Always check the back of the label, many contain sugar and/or rice even if it says ‘lamb and peas’ on the front. I have really helpful hints on how to make baby food easy in my blog here and equipment that will honestly save you time!



Starting solids is a journey and right now it can be tricky to know if what you are doing is 'right' especially with conflicting information out there and a food industry which is heavily influenced by global brands. My brand new book The Nourished Baby provides the ultimate step-by-step guide to starting solids (including a whole chapter on WHAT to start on!). In addition I do a special starting solids consultation over skype any where in the world which will give you a step-by-step plan specific to your baby (just click here to book this).




Plus - Our next National Baby & Toddler Tour with a full starting solids session kicks off in 6 weeks! Check out Event Finder for all info and to see the dates where I will be in your town as these events are a great chance to ask me questions one-on-one! (Events always sell out so don't wait to book your ticket!).



xxx Dr Julie Bhosale