Why Are Parents So Against?

[daycarediva]

That is true but the types of carbs (complex and simple) are not at all differentiated or defined and calling a piece of white bread with milk a healthy snack is laughable. I might as well serve a handful of Raisinetes and a diet coke and call it good.

That is my issue with the food program. I am reimbursed and can advertise the same food program participation (and to parents, that mean state approved healthy meals).

I serve non processed whole grain bread, farm fresh scrambled eggs and fresh berries for breakfast

Provider around the corner serves processed white toast loaded with sugar heavy jellies and applesauce (regular applesauce has a RIDICULOUSLY high sugar content.

We are reimbursed the same. There is ZERO education on what real food looks like, or ways to improve our menus.

I also disagree with the protein requirement. A protein a DAY should be served in childcare (eg a set number of grams, Greek Yogurt with breakfast, a cheese stick with snack. We do not NEED a protein at lunch).

[Leigh]

That is true but the types of carbs (complex and simple) are not at all differentiated or defined and calling a piece of white bread with milk a healthy snack is laughable. I might as well serve a handful of Raisinetes and a diet coke and call it good.

:: Very true! New kids nearly always freak out about eating whole grain breads at my house because they're used to white bread. They quickly start to actually like the whole grain (I think it has much more flavor). Same with whole grain noodles-they wrinkle their noses, but they always come around. I hate the dairy requirement, too. I am sick of dumping a gallon of milk down the drain every day-none of my kids over 2 years old like to drink milk.

[Laurel]

I haven't read all of the responses but generally I think what babies need or don't need is somewhat just determined by the times. I remember my mother in law telling me that down on the farm there was no baby food. In fact, her mom chewed some of the food and then fed it to the baby! Yuck but it happened. I guess when baby cereal came out and jarred food it seemed more than acceptable!

Then over time more and more research is done and things are changed.

When I was a mom of infants in the 60's and 70's the doctor told me to give them X amount (I forget the amount) of formula a day and once they went over that start offering rice cereal. The object was to keep from not giving too much formula. Me and friends my age told me that's what they did too. The baby was probably getting rice cereal at least by 3 months old. I think it was earlier with mine. Wow, does it make them sleep through the night.

All of my adult kids are in generally good health now. I think so much has to do with genes and other factors. I think so much of how we raise babies/kids more or less changes with the times. Babies have been thriving since the beginning of time on different methods.

Just an aside for any of you 'older' providers. Remember when 'paper' diapers meant you were a bad mom? Then it went to disposable diapers were the greatest thing since sliced bread (I think they were). Now it is leaning back to cloth.

I liked my 'good old days' raising babies. I loved everything this generation now hates for babies.

[Leigh]

I haven't read all of the responses but generally I think what babies need or don't need is somewhat just determined by the times. I remember my mother in law telling me that down on the farm there was no baby food. In fact, her mom chewed some of the food and then fed it to the baby! Yuck but it happened. I guess when baby cereal came out and jarred food it seemed more than acceptable!

Then over time more and more research is done and things are changed.

When I was a mom of infants in the 60's and 70's the doctor told me to give them X amount (I forget the amount) of formula a day and once they went over that start offering rice cereal. The object was to keep from not giving too much formula. Me and friends my age told me that's what they did too. The baby was probably getting rice cereal at least by 3 months old. I think it was earlier with mine. Wow, does it make them sleep through the night.

All of my adult kids are in generally good health now. I think so much has to do with genes and other factors. I think so much of how we raise babies/kids more or less changes with the times. Babies have been thriving since the beginning of time on different methods.

Just an aside for any of you 'older' providers. Remember when 'paper' diapers meant you were a bad mom? Then it went to disposable diapers were the greatest thing since sliced bread (I think they were). Now it is leaning back to cloth.

I liked my 'good old days' raising babies. I loved everything this generation now hates for babies.

I remember seeing in my baby book that my mom kept track of what I was eating. I was only several weeks old when she started adding a raw egg to my bottle! Eww...doctor's orders, though!

[MunchkinWrangler]

I haven't read all of the responses but generally I think what babies need or don't need is somewhat just determined by the times. I remember my mother in law telling me that down on the farm there was no baby food. In fact, her mom chewed some of the food and then fed it to the baby! Yuck but it happened. I guess when baby cereal came out and jarred food it seemed more than acceptable!

Then over time more and more research is done and things are changed.

When I was a mom of infants in the 60's and 70's the doctor told me to give them X amount (I forget the amount) of formula a day and once they went over that start offering rice cereal. The object was to keep from not giving too much formula. Me and friends my age told me that's what they did too. The baby was probably getting rice cereal at least by 3 months old. I think it was earlier with mine. Wow, does it make them sleep through the night.

All of my adult kids are in generally good health now. I think so much has to do with genes and other factors. I think so much of how we raise babies/kids more or less changes with the times. Babies have been thriving since the beginning of time on different methods.

Just an aside for any of you 'older' providers. Remember when 'paper' diapers meant you were a bad mom? Then it went to disposable diapers were the greatest thing since sliced bread (I think they were). Now it is leaning back to cloth.

I liked my 'good old days' raising babies. I loved everything this generation now hates for babies.

. That is exactly what it's about. In another 10 years it'll be something new.

[Angelsj]

I avoid ANY baby cereal at all costs.

Despite what your pediatrician or WIC recommends babies have trouble digesting grains.

In order to digest grains, your body needs to make use of an enzyme called amylase. Amylase is the enzyme responsible for splitting starches. Babies don’t make amylase in large enough quantities to digest grains until after they are a year old at the earliest. Sometimes it can take up to two years. Newborns don’t produce amylase at all. Salivary amylase makes a small appearance at about 6 months old, but pancreatic amylase (what you need to actually digest grains) is not produced until molar teeth are fully developed! First molars usually don’t show up until 13-19 months old, on average.

Undigested grains wreak havoc on your baby’s intestinal lining. It can throw off the balance of bacteria in their gut and lead to lots of complications as they age including: food allergies, behavioral problems, mood issues, and more.

(read more here: http://www.foodrenegade.com/why-ditch-infant-cereals/)

The food program recommends infant cereal because like the dairy industry....money talks.

This exactly.

[Laurel]

I remember seeing in my baby book that my mom kept track of what I was eating. I was only several weeks old when she started adding a raw egg to my bottle! Eww...doctor's orders, though!

Ewww! I remember my mom saying something about putting Karo syrup in the bottle for baby. I just Googled it and it seems it is still added to baby formula for constipation.

I think my grandma rubbed whiskey on our gums for teething pain.

[unregistered]

Rice cereal is pretty void of nutrients and is very similar to eating a rice cake... I figure: why bother? Give 'em real food (purees). I made homemade baby purees for my son and he loved them. Super affordable too. :]

[Unregistered]

Infants especially breastfed infants need the cereal for iron. Not exposing them to cereals early on is what causes food allergies later in life.

[Blackcat31]

Infants especially breastfed infants need the cereal for iron. Not exposing them to cereals early on is what causes food allergies later in life.

I'd like to see some factual evidence to support this.

All the evidence I've read says feeding them cereal TOO early is what causes allergies so just the opposite of what you posted.

[Blackcat31]

Commercial rice cereal products are usually fortified with iron, but some experts argue that infants may not need the extra iron if they are otherwise well nourished, and too much iron may cause constipation.

According to KellyMom.com, babies who are breastfed for the first six months of life per the American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines may not need additional iron, unless the child's pediatrician determines that breast milk alone isn't providing adequate iron.

Also, formula-fed babies often consume formula that's already fortified with iron. Feeding baby iron-fortified rice cereal without first having iron levels checked to see whether the existing diet is sufficient could make it difficult for stool to pass.

http://everydaylife.globalpost.com/dangers-rice-cereal-infants-4267.html

[Ariana]

Infants especially breastfed infants need the cereal for iron. Not exposing them to cereals early on is what causes food allergies later in life.

Not true at all! Breastfed infants have iron stores that last well into the first year. I guess we can determine from this statement that many babies all over the world who do not live in developed countries are suffering from low iron and food allergies? Not true at all. Food allergies are born from eating foods that are not tolerated in the body. So many people with diseases that don't even think they are sensitive to wheat, gluten, dairy and soy. I personally think everyone has allergies to these things.

[Annalee]

I haven't read all of the responses but generally I think what babies need or don't need is somewhat just determined by the times. I remember my mother in law telling me that down on the farm there was no baby food. In fact, her mom chewed some of the food and then fed it to the baby! Yuck but it happened. I guess when baby cereal came out and jarred food it seemed more than acceptable!

Then over time more and more research is done and things are changed.

When I was a mom of infants in the 60's and 70's the doctor told me to give them X amount (I forget the amount) of formula a day and once they went over that start offering rice cereal. The object was to keep from not giving too much formula. Me and friends my age told me that's what they did too. The baby was probably getting rice cereal at least by 3 months old. I think it was earlier with mine. Wow, does it make them sleep through the night.

All of my adult kids are in generally good health now. I think so much has to do with genes and other factors. I think so much of how we raise babies/kids more or less changes with the times. Babies have been thriving since the beginning of time on different methods.

Just an aside for any of you 'older' providers. Remember when 'paper' diapers meant you were a bad mom? Then it went to disposable diapers were the greatest thing since sliced bread (I think they were). Now it is leaning back to cloth.

I liked my 'good old days' raising babies. I loved everything this generation now hates for babies.

Yes, cereal does make them sleep through the night.:: my oldest got cereal early and he is my healthiest...never sick....my youngest not so early but was born with a runny nose:: I do feel the times and education play a part....and it always goes in circles just like infants sleeping on the back, then the stomach, then the back then the stomach.....it is ever changing due to education:confused:

[Unregistered]

I also use only organic infant oatmeal cereal. Partly due to arsenic concerns in rice and partly refined rice has little nutrition. My food program requires infant cereal. I don't start until 6 mo. I'm a believer in real food purees also. I also use organic baby food in the jars.

When my kids were little I never gave them any baby cereal. I breastfed and started solids home pureed at 6/7 mo. That was many years ago. Early 80's!

[Laurel]

Yes, cereal does make them sleep through the night.:: my oldest got cereal early and he is my healthiest...never sick....my youngest not so early but was born with a runny nose:: I do feel the times and education play a part....and it always goes in circles just like infants sleeping on the back, then the stomach, then the back then the stomach.....it is ever changing due to education:confused:

I think part of it is just a sincere desire to improve upon the past although some things don't need to be improved on. Then I think sometimes it is just some manufacturer wanting to sell more products to parents. We used to have our childcare meeting in the back room of a baby store. I couldn't believe the stuff they try to sell people. Omg! I said "who buys this junk?" Well apparently not enough to keep the store open cause it closed. Darn we lost a good meeting place though.

It does go in circles. That is just the nature of humans and society. Just like dieting. I watched a show premiere the other night called 'My diet is better than yours.' This is relevant because the contestants picked an expert in the diet they thought would work best for them. 5 or so very different approaches. I told my husband right away that all the diets would work. They all do. I mean all the experts were lean and healthy looking. In other words, there are many ways to do things so now I listen to myself and to heck with the 'experts'. I experiment with what sounds best to me.