I'm amazed at the massive amount of information about solid foods lately.
 Many of the issues I have been meaning to research are coming up.  I would
appreciate clarity on the following.  Some have and some have not been
brought up.

*  where did the idea that there is no real need to start solids until 1 year
come from?  I've been hearing it frequently from mothers who are beginning to
make it their goal no offer no solids until baby's first birthday.  This
worries me.

*  does anybody have any information about baby avoiding wheat until after a
year?  I have had this question repeatedly lately and haven't found the time
to do thorough research but what little I did said nothing about avoiding
wheat for the first year.

*  iron - what about the baby who was born 7 week premature?  Pediatrician sg
iron - mother gave it, baby spit up on it, dr's only alternative was iron
fortified ABM.  My sg ask what the actual iron levels were and what the
normal ranges were.  What if this baby is truly in need of iron and not yet
on solids.  What would you recommend?

*  juices - I always say water them as much as you can get away with for as
long as possible.  They say how long is that usually.  To which I reply, "I
did it until my children caught me and decided they wouldn't drink watered
juice (two or three years ago).  Now I rarely buy it.  I buy bottled water
instead which is popular and they enjoy (13 yrs and 16 yrs).

Denise Parker