| Protein foods (mashed tender cuts of meat, etc.) come early in the list of foods to introduce once your baby has started solids. This is not so much for the iron content but rather because of their high calorie value.
Television commercials will have you believe your baby needs solids for the iron supplement. However, your milk has iron in it, and while in small quantities, it's very easily absorbed. Breastfed babies rarely become anaemic.
Most early solid food given to babies has a very low calorie content. Often the baby has to eat a lot for only a few calories. Meat and other high protein foods are much denser foods and so the baby has to eat less for more calories.
Low fat and high fibre diets are not recommended for babies because the baby can get full without getting enough nutrients and calories.
Best wishes,
Barb |