Author Topic: Has anyone's Ped. ever told them this? (Read 5483 times)

Smurfette · « **on:** April 05, 2011, 15:16:45 pm »

I was told to make sure that my DD gets cereal every day and not so much with the fruits and veggies as F &V are just 'rabbit food' and don't really fill them up.

Is this normal advice? Seems counter-intuitive to me. Wouldn't fruits and veggies be better for LOs then processed cereal, plus with all the fiber and nutrient, be more health and filling?
Just wondering.

TIA

~inbalance~ · « **Reply #1 on:** April 05, 2011, 15:30:56 pm »

I think it's always important to appreciate the advice given by your LO's doctor. After all, they are the professional.

With that said, I don't think they are always right! And no, I wouldn't opt to try and fill my LO up with cereal over fruits and veg. F&V are packed with SO much healthy goodness!

Plus the point of solids isn't just to 'fill up' your LO. You want them to get good nutrition from the foods they eat, not just bulk.

JMHO. Go with your instinct when it comes to choosing what foods to offer your LO.

Mashi · « **Reply #2 on:** April 05, 2011, 15:51:31 pm »

The reason for this is because the cereal is fortified with iron, and after 6 months LOs lose their iron stores. FOrmula fed babies will still get it from their milk but BF babies usually need the extra iron especially if mom is low on iron (as many new moms are!)

~inbalance~ · « **Reply #3 on:** April 05, 2011, 16:00:56 pm »

This is true, LOs start to lose their iron stores at 6mos. But it is a myth in part because it's not like the stores dry up all at once. They begin depleting sometime after 6mos, so it is not like there is a mad rush to get iron in them. During this time you will be introducing many different foods, lots of which will contain iron.

The thing about iron too is that iron from breastmilk is much easily absorbed than iron from iron-fortified sources. Something else to keep in mind. Also, pairing iron with vitamin C helps in it's absorption.

I can understand that this is part of the reason why many peds might push cereals, but I also think much of their information is outdated. I would be much more trusting of the nutritional advice from a qualified nutritionist or naturopathic doctor when it comes to these sorts of things.

Zoey · « **Reply #4 on:** April 05, 2011, 16:03:10 pm »

I think a well balanced approached is the best way to go, personally.

All these foods you've mentioned have a nutritional value needed by growing bodies and brains

LizzieN · « **Reply #5 on:** April 05, 2011, 23:56:23 pm »

Agree with Martina. If iron is the worry have a look at your LOs toe nails, if they are very very flat this is a sign of low iron, couple this with your LOs skin colour...if your LO is really really pale, there might be some iron worries.

Personally though, no I wouldn't fill your LO up on processed cereals, however there is one cereal which I find fab for my kids and myself (we are gluten free currently) and it's quinoa (keen wah). It's like a superfood, brilliant source of protein and nutrients, excellent for breast feeding mummies

I would give it a go, mixed with roasted veggies, we love it! xx

I find doctors advice is generally good, BUT they have their own opinions and axes to grind, so a grain of salt is required too. I like pps believe that initially it's about variety and textures and less about "filling them up"...

Good luck sweetie xx

aidenmc · « **Reply #6 on:** April 06, 2011, 00:20:20 am »

Our GP also said she likes babies eating cereal because of the iron. This was said when I told her we were not giving him much due to constipation. I wonder how many babies end up with low iron?

LizzieN · « **Reply #7 on:** April 06, 2011, 04:13:11 am »

My GP said that heaps of babies are low on iron, but she prescribed a supplement for DD when she was severely constipated....hmm, never gave it as I didn't want to block her more and she has a fantastic diet

Mashi · « **Reply #8 on:** April 06, 2011, 15:59:49 pm »

Quote from: ~Martina~ on April 05, 2011, 15:00:56 pm

I can understand that this is part of the reason why many peds might push cereals, but I also think much of their information is outdated.

Yes I guess I should have clarified this more with what I meant. After all I am one of the moms who gave my LO cereal ONCE and then tossed it in the garbage in favour of real food! I just meant to explain what the thinking behind it is!

The Canada Food Guide actually advises that meats be the first foods for LOs for the iron content, rather than cereals and all of the issues that they can bring.

When it comes down to it, advice on feeding varies from country to country, doctor to doctor, mother to mother, and the best thing I found was to READ - read everything you can on infant and toddler nutrition, and make your own decisions based on a good balance of what you believe!

~inbalance~ · « **Reply #9 on:** April 06, 2011, 16:04:42 pm »

Mashi, I was pretty sure that's what you meant.

Definitely wasn't trying to correct you in any way! lol Just offering up more info.

I did the same with T, tried the cereal out but quickly moved on as it didn't offer him anything substantial and he preferred fruits and veggies anyway!

Mama_Mia · « **Reply #10 on:** April 11, 2011, 22:34:22 pm »

Personally, I have always started my babies on rice cereal first, but they also started at 3 months of age because that was the norm back then. Now with my DGS he also started on rice cereal first. I think other than iron, the main reason is that its easy to digest and doesnt normally cause any food allergies. Since a babies main source of nutrition is their milk until they are a year old, I dont believe that there is any rush in giving them all the fruits and veggies. You have plenty of time to introduce each new food very slowly.

Katet · « **Reply #11 on:** April 11, 2011, 23:41:09 pm »

When I was a baby (& my brother 20 months earlier) My Mum was told that she absolutely must feed her babies "brains", they needed it for brain development & Mum & her fellow Mums all mashed up brains for their children... 3 years later when my Sister was born, Mum was told that Babies must have rusks from the moment they start dribbling because otherwise they don't learn chewing is associated with food!

Information changes year by year, country by country, Dr by Dr... thing is for millions of years babies have been born & not had processed baby cereal & somehow survived... at the end of the day a Dr is only as good as the information he reads & the value he places on the information he has... Drs are human, they have opinions (& calling F &V rabbit food, is an opinion) that influence their professional opinion... at the end of the day he may well go to conferences sponsored by baby cereal manufactures so it is in his interest to promote it!

Lemonthyme · « **Reply #12 on:** April 12, 2011, 08:48:37 am »

No way! We don't see paediatricians in the UK unless there's something very wrong with a baby. In fact you rarely see a GP (general practitioner), most advice comes from nursery nurses and health visitors. Tbh I've had mixed experience with these but the up side is that most are female and mothers themselves so have some 'real' experience not just learned experience.

From all I've read, the best sources of iron are red meat anyway not cereal (although I do give fortified cereal to my LO) but iron intake is helped by also having vitamin C at the same meal (ie from fresh fruit which is normally the best source) so as with everything, a balanced and varied diet seems to be the best way to go and the health advice in the UK seems to support that view.

~*~Louisa~*~ · « **Reply #13 on:** April 12, 2011, 15:18:50 pm »

That is very silly advice imo, there is alot of iron rich vegitables, and fruit and vegitables are a vital part of a balanced diet, and though you might get more iron from the cerials you should have the full range of other vitimins from fruit and veg.

another thing is if you dont introduce fruit and veg early on they can refuse them later on

Smurfette · « **Reply #14 on:** April 12, 2011, 19:35:22 pm »

Thanks everyone.

I kinda think my ped is out to lunch a lot of the time so it's nice to hear from all of you. She also isn't very supportive of breastfeeding and offers me formula samples everytime I'm there. Nothing wrong with formula babies, I just had to work really hard to get breastfeeding going in the beginning (which she knows) and now that it's great, I feel offended everytime she offers it.

I agree with those of you who said to do a lot of reading and research. My ped also told me to start my DD on solids at her 4 month appt and said 'no later than 5 months!' And now that I know more, I wish I didn't listen to her cause there was no rush.

Oh well chalk it up to newbie mom.

Thanks again

Lemonthyme · « **Reply #15 on:** April 12, 2011, 20:22:11 pm »

"offers me formula samples everytime I'm there" WTF?

?? They'd probably get struck off in the UK for that!!!

LizzieN · « **Reply #16 on:** April 12, 2011, 22:20:49 pm »

Honey don't feel bad being guided by your paed, they are supposed to have up to date information and advise in your childs best interest...I just think sometimes they do let their own personal opinion get in the way of this

(we all do it I guess)...

Current WHO recommendations are to introduce solids no earlier than 6 months, BUT it's a general recommendation and your paed may well have had her resons to suggest early introduction...you've done no harm sweetie as long as your LO is enjoying the solids

Oh and coming from a mum who also works hard to get enough weight on her bubs I would be greatly offended about the formula samples..Honestly I would say to her, that since you have no intention of introducing formula she really should offer the samples to someone who needs them

Big hugs lovely
xx

~*~Louisa~*~ · « **Reply #17 on:** April 13, 2011, 17:17:35 pm »

peads tend not to be supportive of breast feeding, for them its too uncertian, you might have a breast fed baby who is doesnt seem hungry but had other issues and they will straight away think not enough milk because you can't say well they drink x oz each time.

When we had weight issues i was told if i want to breast feed i must express so we know how many oz she had

Lemonthyme · « **Reply #18 on:** April 14, 2011, 16:38:34 pm »

But if they knew anything about breastfeeding, they'd know that babies can get more milk than any breastpump! That's f---ing ridiculous! They all need retraining!

~inbalance~ · « **Reply #19 on:** April 14, 2011, 17:40:08 pm »

Ladies, I'm sure we all agree that not all advice given by peds today is up to date or what's right for every baby. They are still doctors though and we still trust them with our children's health. We know our babies best as their mommies and so we trust our own judgement. That's why it's up to use to do our research and make decisions based on what we've learned ourselves. Doctors are a great resource and can be very helpful, but we can also turn to other health practitioners, midwives, lactation consultants, nutritionists, friends, family, and fellow mommies for good advice.

LizzieN · « **Reply #20 on:** April 15, 2011, 01:37:17 am »

Nicely put Martina....I think one further point I would like to make to everyone is that when we choose a doctor finding someone who is on a similar page to us, who you can communicate effectively with and who listens and takes what you say and feel on board is very important...Difficult particularly in health care systems which are streatched etc, but still important.

Recently I found a family doctor for our kids who is WONDERFUL:
he speaks to both the kids like he speaks to me
He listens to what I say
He explains what he is doing and looking for when he is examining the kids and he talks to the kids about what he is doing.
He ALWAYS asks if he has answered all my questions before we leave.
The kids LIKE him.

IT is brilliant! Hope you all find docs who are just as good

Hugs to all
xx

Smurfette · « **Reply #21 on:** April 15, 2011, 03:32:01 am »

Oh, wow! Can I have your dr? Lol.
When I gave birth, I had the choice of 2 drs. That's it. That's all that were accepting new patients.

LizzieN · « **Reply #22 on:** April 15, 2011, 11:42:08 am »

It is hard isn't it? We actually stumbled apon this doctor as our DS was VERY ill and our normal docs couldn't fit him in, we had also moved to a new area so called locally and this doc was new also and accepting new people onto his books....he IS fantastic

I hope he stays!!

Sorry that you only got the choice of two doctors, getting a paed was the same for us there was really only one...luckily he was good, a bit dismissive initially, but overall he did well with DS (he had bad reflux).

Big hugs sweetie
xx

katyusha · « **Reply #23 on:** June 09, 2011, 14:16:45 pm »

Hi! Looks like you guys have sorted the cereal issue. Currently I am resisting giving the fortified cereal because it has formula in it but I give normal 'plum' 4 grain baby cereal instead. The advice I got that babies need lots of carbs, fat and protein and iron, much more than adults do. There have been a few articles in UK baby mags about parents giving what they thought was healthy food but actually was not healthy for babies because their needs are different to ours. So it turned out my baby needs more iron than me and all the full fat products. I am mostly vegetarian so i struggle with this a bit as I can't seem to find much on good diet for vegetarian babies. So as my baby had been sick a lot I decided to go the traditional way with fish, eggs and chicken and may try red meat next. he has put on a healthy weight since, so it seems to work. One thing I found about vegetable sources of iron is that you need much more quantity for it to be absorbed and with pulses they tend to have too much fibre for baby, so if my baby eats a lot of them I was told to offer them with rice or other carbs.

Smurfette · « **Reply #24 on:** June 09, 2011, 15:22:59 pm »

Yeah, I think there is 2 different kinds of iron, one that's in meat and one thats in veggies and the meat kind is more easily absorbed by our bodies. I think you can combined sources of vitamin C when giving iron as it helps to absorb more. Google it to make sure and see if that's still true about the iron in plants. However I think you also have to be careful about constipation if there is too much iron....at least I know that can happen with adults.

Yeah, I've also been told full fat dairy...it's actually kind of hard to find yogurt that is full fat. There are so many '0 calories' products on the market!

~inbalance~ · « **Reply #25 on:** June 09, 2011, 15:37:39 pm »

We use a full fat yogurt from Astro, balkin style I think it's called. It's plain, no sugar, super rich and super yummy!

~*~Little Miss Sunshine~*~ · « **Reply #26 on:** June 09, 2011, 15:42:22 pm »

My DS2 had low iron even though he ate baby cereal every day

I think it's important, however I agree with PPs that it's good to serve a variety.

katyusha · « **Reply #27 on:** June 09, 2011, 16:30:36 pm »

funny but for adults my iron tablets say that it is good to eat with vitamin C but NOT with cereals or dairy, so maybe the iron fortified cereal doesn't work? Or maybe they managed to make it work. No idea.

deb · « **Reply #28 on:** June 09, 2011, 16:41:33 pm »

I don't know how I missed this post the first time around, but.... the veg are DEFINITELY healthier than the cereal! And for everyone, ESPECIALLY babies, full fat and animal fat and cholesterol are essential for nerve and brain growth. Cholesterol is what nerves are sheathed in, basically, and it's crucial. Dark meat chicken, full fat yogurt, avocadoes, olive oil (we mixed guacamole and olive oil), and eggs when they can tolerate them are essential - good sources of good fats and nerve growth. And yep, red meat is good as well for iron - iron-fortification is iron that the body has a hard time actually using, but when it occurs naturally in foods it's easier fo the body to take in and use - and yep, with Vitamin C as well seems to be better or iron absorption.

Grains and pulses, BTW, if you do use them (we mostly don't bother but sometimes we do use them), if you're able to soak them overnight before using them, definitely do so, and ditto to nuts and seeds. It makes them easier to digest by actually starting them sprouting.

(Think of birds that eat berries and are able to poop out the seeds which then sprout someplace else because they haven't been digested inside the bird and you'll get the idea.

)

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Author Topic: Has anyone's Ped. ever told them this? (Read 5483 times)