It’s important we understand the development of a baby’s digestive system so we can offer foods to support rather than cause irritation.
Nobody wants an irritated baby!
During the first 6 months of life, a baby's small intestine is highly permeable, allowing the maximum absorption of breast milk and antibodies. This is a wonderful mechanism for our little ones to absorb the greatest amount of nutrients but it also opens them up to sensitivities if food is offered too soon or if the food is hard to digest.
Babies produce only a very small amount of the pancreatic enzyme amylase, and therefore are unable to properly digest grains. This is one reason I don’t recommend fortified rice cereal as a first food.
White rice is a refined carbohydrate that is a highly processed, nutritionally devoid food for infants. It is inflammatory and one of the hardest food groups for them to digest. Infants do however produce proteolytic enzymes to digest proteins as well as digestive juices: hydrochloric acid in the stomach, which breaks down protein and fats. With this information we developed the ‘Modern Day Baby Cereal’ a nutrient rich porridge that is gentle on digestion. (link)
Mother nature always gets it right and it makes perfect sense looking at the nutritional profile of breast milk. Breast milk provides up to 60% of its energy as fat, which is critical for growth, energy and development. Formula fed babies also benefit from good fats in the formula.
Your baby is designed to thrive on fats.
Babies are going from rolling to running & babbling to talking in the first 2 years of life. This development is dependent on good quality fats. 70% of the brain is fat and your baby's stomach has a superpower of fat digestion to support this extraordinary brain development and growth.
Example of nourishing fats
-Olive oil, Avocado oil, Coconut oil, Hemp seed oil, Flaxseed oil, Sesame oil
-Grass fed butter, Ghee, Coconut butter
-Avocado, Nuts, Seeds, Organic dairy, Oily fish, Bone marrow, Grass fed meat.
These fats are essential for brain development, healthy eyes & vision. They provide a source of fat-soluble vitamins to support the immune system, hormone synthesis & balanced blood glucose levels giving long lasting energy.
Support the gut with bone broth
Bone broth contains amino acids helps to strengthen the intestinal lining which greatly reduces the risk of allergies & food sensitivities.
The amino acids in bone broth also support immune function by supporting intestinal barrier function; our first line of defence.
The distinct advantage of bone broth is the high bioavailability of vitamins and minerals. Your baby will absorb these nutrients easily and benefit greatly.
While bone broth is incredible it does take time to make, something the modern day mother doesn’t always have on her hands, which is why we have included a convent freeze dried bone broth powder that retains all the benefits & ready within minutes
As with all liquids, bone broth is not used to replace breast milk or formula.
Use it to thin out puree, in soups, stews & family meals.
We’ve also included bone broth in our puree’s to enhance the nutrient profile.
Enjoy nourishing your little one, remember starting solids is not about filling them up its about supporting the gut.
Gina Urlich
BHSc Nutritional medicine