I know that what you want is a simple list of foods and maybe some recipes. Instead I am giving you an essay. I am sorry. I am, truly. But I think part of the problem with health care for infants these days is that we're giving one-size-fits-all recommendations. And when it comes to first foods that is definitely the case. Whether or not the recommendation is rice cereal, vegetables, fruits, or even meats, our healthcare providers are emphatic about it being one of these opt

While many of these reasons make sense, there are a few points to consider that might steer you away from rice cereal as a first food: 1. Rice cereal is a simple carbohydrate and as such it spikes your baby's blood sugar, without offering much by way of nutrition. 2. It is a processed food and in general, almost every doctor out there recommends NOT to give babies processed foods, especially at first. Processed foods are not as healthy as whole foods, like fruits, vegetables,

People keep asking me what I’m going to give Birdie for her first foods. This seems like a loaded question to me- I get the feeling people want me to answer either “rice cereal” or “apple sauce” or maybe even “avocado.” I just keep thinking, “I have no idea what I’ll be having for lunch or dinner the day that Birdie chooses to reach out and grab some foods off the table” and “I don’t really know which of those first foods I give her that she’ll actually swallow.” I’m a big