I was recently part of a very interesting debate between 2 groups of mothers. All these mothers were new mothers and very passionate about raising their children the “correct” way, including feeding their children the “right” foods. I certainly saw myself in them and remembered being an extreme perfectionist when Baby Dozer was born.
Now that I have 2 kids and am a little older and wiser (I hope), I’ve learnt more things! So today’s post conveys some of my thoughts on the “right” way of feeding your baby.
Let’s begin!
1. Grace, I’m an avid follower of your blog and I listened to you and started my baby on Little Baby Grains! I’m sure this way is the right way!
Rather than the “right way”, a more appropriate term perhaps would be “culturally appropriate”! In different parts of the world, babies’ first foods differ depending on their cultural norms.
In the United States, the typical order in which solids are introduced to babies are infant cereal, then fruits and vegetables and finally meat. (Source: The Journal of Nutrition)
I opted to follow the Asian way, which is to start off baby on rice porridge! To me, it is a better choice compared to baby cereal as it is a little more natural and definitely less processed.
2. I’m sure that I’ve read somewhere how rice is nutritionally inferior, making them a poor choice as baby’s first foods
Image from theveganrd.com
Just like how adults do not consume only white rice, rice is not meant to be a sole food without any complementary dishes. On its own, it is nutritionally insufficient and it is important to introduce vegetables, fish, meat and fruits to baby as he gradually gets used to solids.
3. In that case, why should I even bother introducing rice or grains to my baby?
It is really a personal choice but for me, there was the cultural element too. Our staple diet after all, is rice.
I also like how rice balances out the flavours of the vegetables whenever I’m cooking porridge puree for Baby Junior. For example, a sweet potato on its own would be too sweet so I like how the blander flavour of rice reduces the sweetness of the sweet potato.
4. So, it’s really just about cultural norms lah….
Nutri-Colour blend by Little Baby Grains for babies from 1 year onwards
Well, not really. Rice and grains have their respective nutritional properties. Whole grains especially, are rich in fibre. Certain types of white rice, such as the ones used by Little Baby Grains, have a relatively high protein content and B vitamins.
There is also the digestion factor. Young babies who are just starting solids have a delicate gastrointestinal tract which needs time to adapt to solids. Hence, I find that rice which is soft and easy to digest makes a good first choice for babies. I personally think the combination of rice and vegetables as babies’ first foods make a nice balance for babies’ needs.
5. I just want the best for my baby. I saw that quinoa is a highly nutritious grain, also known as a superfood. Why can’t I just give only quinoa to my baby from 6 months onwards?
It is true that quinoa is an excellent choice for growing children because it helps contribute to their dietary and developmental needs. However, quinoa is a little harder than rice so for very young babies, I think it is imperative to have a good balance between digestion and nutrition. Little Baby Grains only recommends introducing quinoa after the age of 1 and in small quantities in order to allow baby to adapt to the texture and taste of this grain.
I hope you found this post helpful as always and have a wonderful weekend!
As an ex-expatriate and management consultant in an international firm, Grace was a career-minded woman on a fast-track path in the corporate world. The birth of her first child changed her perspectives in entirety, and she made the life-changing decision of becoming a stay-at-home mum. In addition to being one of Malaysia’s top digital influencers on Nuffnang’s Bloggerati list, she is a Dr. Sears Certified Health Coach and also runs children-related businesses (links available below).
- Facebook: facebook.com/graciouslittlethings
- Instagram / Dayre: @graciouslittlethings
- Blogger Engagements: grace@bloggerati.me
- Shop Little Baby Grains: www.littlebabygrains.com
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