My understanding is that the guidlelines have now changed for starting solid 
foods: Formula fed babies are recommended to continue starting with an iron-
fortified cereal, but breastfed babies are recommended to start with a food 
that is high in protein, iron and zinc, such as meat. This is due to the fact that 
formula fed babies are already getting such a high protein load, we don't want 
to overload them with more protein. Breastfed babies, on the other hand, are 
getting  the perfect amount of protein in breastmilk, so their first solid foods 
should be rich in protein (as they are displacing breast milk with solids.) 

A great resource for this is La Leche League's Unit 11 for Lactation 
Consultants entitled, "Appropriate Introduction of Complementary Foods into 
the Diet of the Exclusively Breastfed Infant" written by Judith Roepke, PhD RD. 

WIC's new food package, which is coming out next year, will reflect these new 
guidelines: Exclusively breastfed infants will receive jars of meat instead of 
cereal. 

I am still trying to find an online resource that medical providers can refer to 
for more information about these revised guidlelines. 

Warmly,
Susie McCulloch, LLLL IBCLC 

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