The Science to Starting Solids

Spirulina and coconut banana cookies, recipe from Oh Baby Nutrition

Like most new parents eager to start their baby on solids I scoured the internet for tips and ideas, taking time to sift through outdated information and recommendations. What I thought would be a smooth transition, turned out to be yet another opportunity for bad (often unsolicited) advice. I did my best to steer clear of online gurus and conspiracies, but it seems there really isn’t a consensus on how to raise vegan children. 

The World Health Organization states that babies should be fed exclusively breast milk or formula for the first six months of their lives. “Thereafter, they should be given nutritious complementary foods and continue breastfeeding up to the age of two years or beyond.” In addition, water before six months puts them at risk for dehydration and malnutrition (WHO). The introduction of solids is referred to as “complementary feeding”, because it is intended to complement their milk focused diet from 6-24 months.

According to Kelly Mom, an excellent evidence based resource on parenting and breastfeeding, there are certain “developmental signs of readiness” that should be met before beginning solids. They include “sitting up well without support, loss of the tongue thrust reflex, willingness to chew, a developing pincer grasp, and interest in meal times”. Babies are born with an immature digestive system, meaning that starting solids before it’s appropriate could jeopardize their health. It doesn’t hurt to wait!

Mushroom, coconut red beans and rice, broccoli, and smoked tofu

Despite all of this easily accessible information, our pediatrician, who thankfully retired recently, handed us a pamphlet at our five month check up encouraging us to begin weaning right away. In it was information on the exact amounts of infant cereal, orange juice, and chamomile tea to give to our premature baby. We were shocked to find out just how common these old school ideas truly are. When I sought out support, I discovered that my experience wasn’t isolated. Doctors all across the country still recommend solids at four and a half months and other practices that can compromise an otherwise healthy gut and breastfeeding relationship. 

It goes without saying that I was thrilled to have my daughter share in on the lovely ritual that is family meal time, but it was important to do so while maintaining the integrity of her digestive system. The American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics offers current information on how to go about this transition, and it was a very useful resource to have in the beginning. Traditionally, families tend to start with cereals, but we opted for fruit first then common allergens like peanuts (peanut butter) and soy. Later, we emphasized iron rich foods like beans, tofu, quinoa (porridge), hemp seeds, and simple green smoothies with kale. I would make a nutrient dense broth and freeze it in cubes to use in purees and soups. 

Olives, avocado, asparagus, sweet potato, hummus, and mushroom

We went slowly, one new food at a time, then two, and so on, always in tune with baby’s needs. It’s wild how far we’ve come. At 27 months, my toddler has a love-hate relationship with almost every food, but overall she’s a good eater. Her current favorite foods include anything with chickpeas, asparagus, tomato,broccoli, grapes, blueberries, “salad”, and bread. She loves bread! Hopefully this helps at least one family feel more prepared as they step into this exciting new chapter. Good luck and happy eating!

*We supplemented with vitamin D drops from birth (prescription) and vitamin B12 at 6 months. We are also mindful of her fiber intake and incorporate refined grains.

 

Breastfeeding with Help

I don’t produce enough milk to exclusively nurse my child, but despite my supply issues we continue to enjoy a healthy breastfeeding relationship at 21 months. Our journey started long before I even considered pregnancy as an option for myself; It began at 16 in a plastic surgeon’s office after deciding to undergo breast augmentation surgery. I wish I had had the confidence and support to choose otherwise, but ultimately we live and we learn. After years of dealing with the psychological  and physical implications of having implants, I decided to have them removed. Although my surgeon refused to acknowledge that there is any relationship between breast surgery and (low) milk supply, I am certain that many of my difficulties stem from there.

While it is generally considered safe to breastfeed with implants, personally, I felt it necessary to have them removed beforehand. I didn’t want to lower my chances at breastfeeding any further, but I was desperate to have my body back and feel comfortable again. Because it was possible that breastfeeding would not be a part of my future, I spent the year prior to my pregnancy eating and living as healthy as possible. I was mentally prepared to bottle feed, but after giving birth it felt right to nourish and comfort my daughter at the breast even if we had to use formula.

My daughter’s birth, though different than I had imagined, was a dream come true and I hoped that that would be enough to help establish a healthy nursing relationship. We spent our days skin to skin and refused pacifiers, bottles, cribs, and anything else that could jeopardize things. In order to determine whether or not supplementation would be necessary at all, we monitored baby’s diapers carefully to ensure that she was getting enough at all times. We also worked closely with our midwife and baby’s pediatrician. It’s important to note that even when there is an abundance of milk, babies are babies, meaning they cry, fuss, fidget, and nurse frequently.

In the beginning, I would pump as often as possible in between feedings and top off my expressed milk with gifted donor milk from friends. I nursed and then my partner would bottle feed our daughter while I pumped, but that system didn’t work well for us. And I saw little progress. I was glued to the pump and utterly depressed about the the amount of milk I was expressing. At around one month postpartum, we started to use the Medela Supplemental Nursing System (SNS), and I felt as if I could finally enjoy those tender moments with my daughter. For those unfamiliar with an SNS, it’s a container filled with breastmilk or formula that I wear in my bra. I place the tubes in line with my nipples, and baby receives both my milk and the supplement while breastfeeding. I felt at peace knowing that she was getting everything I could give her while also having her nutritional needs met.

Breastfeeding is biologically appropriate, and it makes me happy to give my child all the comfort and joy that comes with it, even if my journey doesn’t look like most. The first months were tough, because feeding this way on demand is a lot of work. When I wasn’t nursing my baby I was also cleaning and sterilizing tubes and bottles with my partner. Teamwork has definitely made this dream work for us. Now that my daughter is nearing two we depend a lot less on the SNS. She often requests to nurse without it and has done so for the last six months. Now we only need it for her nap and at night.

If I could sum up this experience in words, I would say it has been intense, emotional, heartbreaking, heartwarming, embarrassing, sacrificing, comforting, encouraging, discouraging, depressing, lonely, wild, beautiful, and so much more. I wish I had had this. I wish more women were speaking up and speaking out honestly about motherhood. I needed this when I was searching for answers and community, and I hope this helps at least one person feel less alone. I’m proud of us for making it this far! I thought I wouldn’t make it past the first month, and now here we are twenty one months and counting.