Penny was nervous about not giving Oona a really balanced diet with enough protein, vitamins B¹² and D, calcium, and iron, even though she knows many vegetarian foods are fortified with extra B¹² and protein. I told her that growing baby can get all the nourishment she needs from a carefully planned diet, although if she wished to bring up Oona as vegan (no animal foods whatsoever, not even dairy products or eggs) she would need to see a baby nutritionist for advice.
When Oona was 6 months old Penny started gradually to wean her by replacing breast milk feeding with solid foods so that Oona would end up on three meals a day, using a cup and a spoon at around 11-12 months.
Penny and I planned a schedule in which she would introduce one food at a time, with drawing it if Oona didn’t like it and trying it again ten days later. Oona’s diet had to include foods from each of her major food groups.
Oona would get protein, essential for growth in a young baby, from beans, cheese, and milk as well as yogurt, soy products, and grains. I pointed out to Penny that egg whites should not be given until Oona was nine to ten months old in order to avoid the possibility of an allergic reaction.
Foods made from cereals and grains provide carbohydrates to give Oona the energy to grow and develop, while fruit and vegetables supply essential vitamins and minerals. I told Penny that vegetarian diets tend to be bulky and lower in calories than a diet including meat. This can be herd for a baby because Oona could get full before she’s had all the calories she needs, so Penny should give her a wide variety of foods that are low in fiber such as egg yolks, milk, and cheese. Penny and I drew up a menu plan for Oona together and I gave her a few tips about how to start.
- Penny should choose a time when Oona was hungry but not ravenous, such as the middle of the day, to try the first solids.
- Oona’s first foods should be smooth in texture and mild in taste. Baby rice, cooked pureed fruit such as apples and pears, or vegetables such as carrots or potatoes (which no added salt) are ideal.
- Penny should avoid adding lost of seasoning or suger.
- Adding a spoonful of Oona’s usual milk to the food would help her recognize the taste
I also advised Penny that when preparing fruit and vegetables, she shouldn’t overcook or keep foods hot for a long time; this destroys vitamin C content. Fresh fruit should always be peeled and have all stones, seeds, or pits removed. Oona sailed through her weaning. She seemed to really enjoy foods without salt and sugar, foods Penny thought she would find too bland. Penny found that Oona adored pureed lentils, a food she introduced when Oona was seven months old. She also relished the yolk of an egg finely chopped and then mashed with yogurt. The more solid food she ate, the more fluid Oona wanted to drink. In addition to 24-32 ounces of milk, a little orange juice diluted half and half with water became a favorite drink. Since it was summer, Penny found that Oona could easily drink a half-cup of this drink every day.
Oona is now ten months and very much one of the family, eating more and more family food, which only needs mashing to suit her. She loves gravies and sauces, and Penny has found that these help her accept almost any new food. Ice cream has become such a favorite that Penny has to limit this treat to once or twice a week so that Oona isn’t getting too much sugar and fat. She’s gaining weight steadily, but she’s not fat; Penny is very proud of this, and also of Oona’s skill at using the spoon to feed herself – something she began to try at seven months.
Since Oona clearly enjoys her food, Penny is eager to introduce her to lots of new flavors. She asked if there were any foods she shouldn’t give, and I advised her to introduce strongly flavored vegetables such as broccoli, onions, or peppers only gradually, and not give whole-grain bread, whole nuts, or unpeeled fruit until Oona is a year old.
