From the NY Times, we find that vitamin D Deficiencies may be on the rise in breastfed babies

Aug 27, 2008 Nutrition

We wanted to bring this article to your attention.  While many babies do just fine with adequate exposure to sunlight, vitamin D deficiencies may be rising in those that live in areas with less sunlight exposure and those who are African American, Latino or otherwise have darker skin pigmentation.  We’ve provided a good excerpt from the article below and were pleased to see that the Dr. below continues to advocate for and support breastfeeding. 

Physicians have known for more than a century that exclusive breast-feeding may be associated with vitamin D deficiency and rickets, and that the condition is easily prevented and treated with inexpensive vitamin drops or cod liver oil. But doctors are reluctant to say anything that might discourage breast-feeding.

Now some researchers are also linking vitamin D deficiency with other chronic diseases like diabetes, autoimmune disorders and even cancer, and there have been calls to include blood tests of vitamin D levels in routine checkups.

“I completely support breast-feeding, and I think breast milk is the perfect food, and the healthiest way to nourish an infant,” said Dr. Catherine M. Gordon, director of the bone health program at Children’s Hospital Boston and an author of several studies on vitamin D deficiency, including Aleanie’s case.

“However,” Dr. Gordon continued, “we’re finding so many mothers are vitamin D deficient themselves that the milk is therefore deficient, so many babies can’t keep their levels up. They may start their lives vitamin D deficient, and then all they’re getting is vitamin D deficient breast milk.”

Read the NY Times Full Article  Before you become overly concerned, we hope you will go to KellyMom.com & read their page on vitamin D.  This should help clear up any misconceptions/concerns/fear etc and also give you an idea if supplements are really necessary!

Tags: Nutrition

Baby Food in Pictures – the Voting begins!

Aug 23, 2008 Contests and Giveaways

Please visit our contest page and cast your vote for your favorite baby food in pictures image.  You may vote for as many images as you like (yeah, it will be a difficult choice!) but vote only once.

Thanks again to all the Baby Food Chefs who took the time to enter our contest!

Tags: Contests and Giveaways

Meat as Baby’s First Solid Food?

Aug 22, 2008 Meat and Fish, Solids and Weaning

We have received a few emails within the week asking us why we don’t list meat as baby’s first solid food. Some of these emails have come from our Canadian visitors and 1 came from a U.S. visitor. In Canada, meat is being recommended as one of baby’s first solid foods. Meat is not recommended as the first food that baby is introduced to however. Also, keep in mind that this recommendation is for the baby that starts solid foods at 6 months + of age – when the digestive system has matured fairly completely.

Many Canadian pediatric authorities suggest introducing meat (pureed) between 6-9 months of age. On our Meat FAQ page and our Meat Recipes pages, we note that in Canada, the E.U. and the U.K, the recommendation for meats is 6-9 months of age. The emphasis seems to be on 6-7 months of age however. Health Canada recommends pureed meats after cereal – cereal being the first food that is recommended (http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/dca-dea/prenatal/nutrition_e.html).

Here are a few Canadian resources that talk about meat as a first solid food:
http://www.cps.ca/caringforkids/pregnancy&babies/Feeding.htm
http://www.lambtonhealth.on.ca/infant/feedbaby.asp
http://www.healthy.nf.ca/pamphlets/baby/firstyear.html#Solids

In the U.S., the transfer of nutrition knowledge to pediatricians is often very slow. Pediatricians are not taught to be nutritionists and their nutrition education has been known to be lacking. Coupled with sticking to the old ways of infant feeding, we find many U.S. pediatricians continue to recommend introducing meat between 8-10 months of age. One pediatrician told me that at this age, “a baby doesn’t have to be subjected to nasty meat purees but may be able to enjoy soft cooked shreds and dices of meat – as it should be.” I think that’s a pretty thoughtful way to look at it don’t you? However, there was one study done back in February that seemed to point to smaller bits of meat being more capable of containing bio-available iron! Still, pureed meats, by themselves, are pretty icky!

We will be adding a notation concerning meat as a first food to our solid food chart for the 4-6 month old baby as well as to the 6-8 month old chart. We will also be posting more links to various pediatric/nutrition authorities as well!

Have you introduced meat(s) first or considered it? Share your experience and thoughts with us and others!

** As always, we recommend that you consult with your baby’s pediatrician about introducing solid foods. Generalities in suggestions may not apply for your little one! **

Tags: meats, Solids and Weaning