As Darien wrote, it is my understanding that babies build up stores of iron
and zinc before birth and that these stores are used up by around six
months.  That is the reason for the recommendation that solids be introduced
in the middle of the first year.

Dr. Jay, I absolutely agree with you that "it possible that the posited
benefits of added iron and other
things might have longer term drawbacks of which we're unaware."  I
encourage moms to skip the "enriched rice cereal" diet espoused by some HCPs
and introduce babies to whole foods from the beginning of introduction of
complementary foods.  I tell them to consider the fact that they have been
providing their baby with the optimal food for the first six months and ask
why they want to suddenly switch to a highly-processed, "enriched" food at
that point.

I consider complementary foods to be exactly that - "complementary" - in the
first year.  The baby continues to get most of his/her nutrients from
breastmilk during that time and possibly into the second year.  Beyond that
time, breastmilk continues to provide nutrients and immunities for the
child.  I find that many moms do not actually understand that the
introduction of solids into their baby's diet is a gradual process.  I think
some moms fear that introducing solids will lead to a cessation of
breastfeeding.  Our cultural images of babies seem to include only the
extremes of the baby who drinks from a bottle and the Gerber baby who
obtains all of his/her nutrition from a jar of processed food.  This leaves
moms confused about how and when to introduce solids.  Many are surprised to
learn that I have personally known lots of babies who continued to
breastfeed for YEARS after the introduction of solids.

An excellent book which I recommend to breastfeeding moms is "Whole Foods
for Babies and Toddlers" written by Margaret Kenda and published by LLLI.
The first seven chapters of this book are, in a sense, an exposé of the
commercial baby food industry.  She writes, in part, "Do you have the
fortitude to think about what your baby actually needs, rather than what the
full force of the commercial world says?  Do you have the courage to be
different from that 'ideal' parent featured in the baby food ads - and from
the family and friends who may believe the commercial message is the right
idea?  Can you resist brainwashing?  If so, then when you decide when and
how to begin food for your baby, look at your own unique baby.  Ignore the
full-color magazine ads.  Keep away from the fake, commercialized science.
Don't pick up the free, full-color, attractive brochures, bought and paid
for by commercial interests and, all too often, on display in
respectable-sounding places such as a pediatrician's office.  Your baby is
the true authority.  Your baby can tell you when supplemental food is a very
good idea - and when the time has not yet come."

Kenda suggests that some babies are introduced to the fast food concept at
birth (via infant formula) and may subsist on that diet for years as they
get their food from jars, cans and microwavable toddler meals.   This is
certainly inconsistent with the LLL philosophy that "Good nutrition means
eating a well-balanced and varied diet of foods in as close to their natural
state as possible."

I find that after I have watched a mother blossom in her confidence in her
body' ability to produce the perfect food for her baby in the perfect amount
that I need to continue to support her as she learns how to introduce
complementary foods.  This is an aspect of child care for moms who
breastfeed past one year which deserves more attention.  I highly recommend
mother-to-mother support groups such as LLL for that very reason because
this is one place where moms continue to go even when breastfeeding is going
well.  Moms can learn from each other about how and when to introduce
solids.  Maybe someday they can also learn this from their pediatricians,
too.  Fortunately, there are pediatricians like you, Dr. Jay, who provide
this information to moms now.

Sara Furr, MA
LLL Leader
Lincoln, Nebraska USA

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