Mothering Magazine Sponsored Chat with Cheryl Tallman -- Fresh Baby is the inspiration of two sisters, Joan Ahlers and Cheryl Tallman, who found it difficult to identify all-natural alternatives for healthy and hassle-free feeding when raising their children. That brought them to establish Fresh Baby. Cheryl and Joan volunteer their time speaking to groups of new parents on subjects such as introducing solid foods, making baby food, and raising a healthy eater.

www.mothering.com
11/16/05

 15 mothers in attendance

**Please make sure to read the note from Mothering Magazine at the end of these transcripts.**

Mod_beckie: Cheryl, can you give us an introduction and tell us about yourself?
cheryl: Sure.Hi, I’m Cheryl Tallman, I live in Northern MI with my husband, Roger and 4 yr old Spencer
cheryl: 3 yrs ago, I started Fresh Baby with my sister, Joanie (she lives in NM with her Gary and her 4 kids).
cheryl: Our first product was a baby food kit which has won several awards and is recommended by healthcare professionals. Our line has expanded to include some breastfeeding products and we are in the works with several other new items. Thanks to many concerned parents, our business is growing.
cheryl: I am happy to be spending this time with you answering your questions on introducing solids, making baby food, or developing healthy eating habits.
cheryl: let's get started.
Mod_beckie: Wonderful!!
Mod_beckie: Okay, just some quick mommychats business
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cheryl: welcome
Mod_beckie: Cheryl is ready for the first question, christinamor, you are up!!
christinamor: Where do we begin with introducing solids to a six month old?  i.e. how much, how often... and why now?
Webmama_Tina: THANKYOU BECKIE!]
cheryl: OK 6 months is the age where your baby is physically ready to begin learning how to eat solid foods.
cheryl: Normally' you will start with very runny cereal mixed the breast milk or formula
Mod_beckie: ?
cheryl: your baby needs to learn to move food from the front to the back of her mouth - this takes a little time.
cheryl: once she accomplishes this, you can move into to other foods
christinamor: could she thrive on only breastmilk for another few months?
Mod_beckie: Cheryl, I am sorry, but I wanted to ask if when you have answered as fully as you like, please let me know, so I can call the next chatter :)
cheryl: yes. but introducing solids is learning experience not a nutritional need.
cheryl: breast milk is the primary source of nutrition until 12 mos
cheryl: sorry for the typos - was that clear?
christinamor: so I don't have to feed her solids daily at this point?
cheryl: you need to start with a little bit each day, but it is not necessary at every feeding.
christinamor: great. thank you
cheryl: welcome
Mod_beckie: I guess I am next :)
Mod_beckie: Cheryl, for those that haven't seen it, can you post your URL?
cheryl: www.freshbaby.com
Mod_beckie: Thank you!
cheryl: there are a few articles on introducing solids on the site that may help some of you.
Mod_beckie: My question is, if you start solids later, can you start with real" food. I don't like the empty calories and lack of nutrition in most baby cereals."
Mod_beckie: my daughter wasn't' interested in solids until she was closer to 8 months old, so I started her on veggies and fruit. not sure that was the best thing to do, but it worked for us
Mod_beckie: I have a boy due any minute now, and was wondering if that would be okay for him too?
cheryl: cereal is recommended because it is iron-fortified and 6 months is about when your baby's iron stores are depleting.  **
cheryl: did this answer your question?
Mod_beckie: yes, thank you
Mod_beckie: If you have a question, please post a single ?" and you'll be added to the queue. Have your question ready when your name is called. THANKYOU! :)"
christinamor: ?
Mod_beckie: Go ahead Christinamor
christinamor: when can I give her o cereal like cheerios?
cheryl: no yet.  the cereal is baby cereal - mixed to a runny consistency with breast milk
cheryl: finger foods like cheerios are not usually offered until 7 to 9 months. it depends on your baby's abilities
christinamor: yes, I know the difference :) she loves to finger the cheerios though but I am not sure she wouldn't choke at this age
cheryl: yes, she may
cheryl: buy interest is a good sign
christinamor: okay. thanks
cheryl: sorry, BUT interest is a good sign
Mod_beckie: Cheryl, can you give a little run down of what foods at what age are appropriate? Like some basic guidelines?
cheryl: sure
Noel: Hi, I'm wondering where you got that information from
Noel: about babies needing rice cereal at 6 months
cheryl: about 6 months baby cereal, apples, s potatoes, peas, squash, bananas pears - all very easy to digest
Noel: All the information that I've rec'd has stated that rice cereal is nothing but a filler
Noel: and there are much better ways to get iron rich foods into babies tummies.
cheryl: It is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics
cheryl: not at the age of 6 months
Noel: yes and they also recommend that babies sleep with pacis
Noel: so, I don't really feel that I would want to listen to them in regards to iron rich rice cereal.
Noel: wouldn't spinach, or bananas or avo be a better first food, since it's alive and hasn't been processed?
thecookiemomma: the paper I got from the hospital said 4 months for rice cereal, and I was appalled.
Noel: right, most hospitals are not up to date on the AAP's newest statements on waiting til 6 months
cheryl: spinach is high in nitrates and can deplete iron stores.  Spinach can be introduced at 8-10 months.
Noel: I'm sorry if I am coming off as snotty I just don't like misinformation
cheryl: that's ok.'
thecookiemomma: what if the mommy keeps her iron up?  would that help?
Noel: so do you make your own rice cereal or store bought?
cheryl: yes it does, but most women have low iron levels to begin with
Noel: very true
cheryl: the rice cereal i am referring to is store bought and vitamin-fortified
Noel: thus the reason prenats are so important during pregnancy and through to breastfeeding
Mod_beckie: Good reason why nursing mommies need to take good care of themselves and get what they need in their diets!
cheryl: very true
Noel: hhmm
Noel: that seems like a bit of a contradiction to what you're selling on your site
Noel: you do promote home made baby food correct?
cheryl: I would not get hung up on cereal - it is only a starting point.
Mod_beckie: Okay, let's move past cereal at this point in our chat :)
Noel: I'm not attacking, just wondering what you're stance is
Mod_beckie: cheryl was sharing other age appropriate foods, can you continue?
cheryl: yes, we promote making baby food but we also support the AAP guidelines for solid foods introduction.
redant: ?
Noel: alrighty then
Mod_beckie: redant, go ahead with your question :)
redant: How long does it typically take for a baby to learn how to swallow food (get past the cereal stage)?
cheryl: for smooth purees, they will master is about 2 months. Then it is onto lumps and textures 3-4 months, and finger foods about 2-3 months
cheryl: alll total your baby will eat baby food in some form until about 14-18 months old.
redant: How long should I give my abby just cereal before moving to purees?
cheryl: about 4-5 days if you see good signs (no gagging or choking)
thecookiemomma: veggies first, right?
cheryl: you can introduce one new food at a time. feed for 3-5 days and then move on
cheryl: because breast milk is sweet, many recommend veggies first to get your baby used to a new taste sensation
Mod_beckie: Just be ready to wear it, cause they aren't used to the taste ;)
thecookiemomma: ah. that makes sense
thecookiemomma: haha
Mod_beckie: What about the introduction of meat?
cheryl: your baby needs to develop all of his taste senses - some come easier than others
Mod_beckie: for the non-veggie families ;)
cheryl: meat can be introduced at 6-8 months chicken turkey
cheryl: 8-10 mos lean beef
cheryl: 10-12 lamb
downtoearthmama: Do you have any suggestions for making ahead and storage of baby foods?
cheryl: i forgot pork - 8-10
cheryl: fish can be an allergy issue, but you can try it at about 8-10 months shellfish not unitl 2-3 years
thecookiemomma: why so late with lamb?
cheryl: lamb is higher in fat and harder to digest
thecookiemomma: oh,ok
cheryl: we recommend you make food in quantity and store it in ice cube trays
Mod_beckie: Cheryl, did you see Downtoearthmama's question? We are kinda getting out of queue, but go ahead with that one :)
Mod_beckie: okay, well, we lost cheryl
Mod_beckie: I am sure she will be right back
redant: ?
cheryl: sorry about that - back with u
Mod_beckie: answering downtoearthmama now, and redant you are next :)
Mod_beckie: no worries, it happens :)
cheryl: downtoearthmama can you repeat your ?
redant: The cworkbook gives recipes using a microwave to cook.  I imagine that this is for convenience sake, but I prefer to cook using old fashioned methods.  Have you thought about giving alternatives for cooking various foods, such as steaming or baking?
redant: I'm wondering which is the best way to retain the most nutrition.
cheryl: yes we have offer instructions for stove top steaming
redant: on your website?
cheryl: according to Yale Nutrition Center and and other resources, for fruit and veggie cooking , microwave is the healthiest
cheryl: stovetop steaming instructions are in our book
downtoearthmama: sorry, potty-training toddler had to poop! :omg:  I was just wondering about the best way to store baby food to preserve its nutritive value.
redant: Sorry.  I'm just getting started, so I guess I didn't get to the steaming part.
Mod_beckie: no worries downtoearthmama, as soon as cheryl is done with redant, you can go :)
Webmama_Tina: sounds like the same question actually. ;)
cheryl: tray around page 56 i don't have a book with me right now
Webmama_Tina: oh wait, one's storing, one's cooking
cheryl: storing baby food frozen last for 2 months
cheryl: it is convenient and there is little nutrient loss in 2  months
Mod_beckie: And I have to say, the ice cube tray method is genius! I cared for a boy who's mom did that, and it was wonderful!! Super easy to store and warm!!
cheryl: fresh is best, but many people don't have time make it fresh every day
sugarplumama: Do you have a plan for OAMC for baby food?
cheryl: the ice cube tray method also helps a new parent understand serving sizes easily
cheryl: what is oamc?
downtoearthmama: So it is 1 ice cube size is a serving?
Mod_beckie: Once a Month Cooking :)
cheryl: never thought of OAMC, because when you start you introduce a new food every 4-5 days.
Mod_beckie: that would be an awesome addition to your book/site!
cheryl: yes, one ounce is serving size for a child up to 2 years old
cheryl: I think you are right
Mod_beckie: well, our time is getting short, are there any last questions or comments?
Noel: ?
Mod_beckie: Go ahead Noel
Noel: I'm sorry to beat the dead horse that is the rice cereal thing
Noel: but I'm wondering if you recommend homemade rice cereal instead of a process store brand if the baby is breastfed
cheryl: We don't have any recommendation like that. Sorry.
cheryl: I can do some research on it and get back to you.
Noel: That would be wonderful
cheryl: ok
Mod_beckie: Thank you very much for your time today Cheryl! This was a great chat, lots of good information! Everyone remember to visit www.freshbaby.com  for more information about solid foods and infant nutrition.
Webmama_Tina: well our time is up mamas!
Webmama_Tina: thank you so much cheryl!!!
cheryl: thank you!!
redant: Thanks Cheryl!
Webmama_Tina: and thank you beckie cuz i was definitely not up to speed today, lol
cheryl: please email any other questions
Mod_beckie: your very welcome Tina ;)

**Mothering note by Mothering’s Food For Families Editor, Cynthia Lair:
When parents ask about the need for iron-fortified cereals for their babies, my first response is "How could we have survived as a species so long if babies don’t thrive without artificial supplements?”  Many parents are encouraged to give their baby iron supplements or iron-fortified cereal starting at around six months.  I never blindly accepted that I needed to supplement my baby's diet with iron or other nutrients.  Ferrous sulfate, the most common iron supplement, is poorly absorbed and can cause indigestion and constipation.  I looked into the matter and this is what I found:
 
Your baby was born with a good store of iron which has come from the mother during pregnancy.  This is one reason why hematocrit levels are monitored in pregnant women and why women are encouraged to increase their iron intake during pregnancy.  Part of a baby's iron supply comes through the umbilical cord shortly after birth, so it is important that the cord not be clamped or cut for at least five to ten minutes after the birth.  Premature cutting of the cord is unnecessary and diminishes baby's iron stores.
 
Breast milk contains a small amount of absorbable iron to meet baby's needs.  Babies can absorb up to 50 percent of the iron in breast milk, but is only 4 percent of the iron in fortified formula.  Vitamin C in breast milk increases the absorption of the iron.  Lactoferrin and transferrin, two specialized proteins in mother's milk, regulate the iron supply to baby.  As long as the mother was not anemic during pregnancy, the breast-fed baby should have adequate iron for the first year of life.  
 
Around six months, when solid foods are introduced, your baby begins to get iron and other nutrients from sources other than breast milk or formula, or stores accumulated in utero.  With the transition into a simple, whole foods diet, your baby needs no supplements.  Why start your baby on a refined grain cereal that has had most of its vitamins, minerals, protein and fiber removed and some iron added back in?  Especially when the iron used in commercial baby cereal is a type that is least absorbable by humans.  Why do food manufacturers use it?  It adheres to the flakes and doesn’t cause the discoloration that other forms of iron do.  Instead serve your baby whole grain cereals and freshly prepared fruits and vegetables, giving your baby naturally occurring iron in the proportions his or her body needs.  If you feel that extra iron is necessary (pale or lethargic child), add sea vegetables to baby's diet and use cast-iron cookware.
 
Remember that fresh food contains enzymes that help us breakdown, and digest nutrients. When food is cooked at high temperatures or frozen, the enzymes are lost.  If you choose to use prepared baby food that has been frozen, be sure to add something fresh to the food so that it has enzymatic properties.  If you choose to use microwaving as a reheating method, watch for hot spots; stir food well before serving.

Cynthia Lair  
Nutrition Educator & Author  
author@feedingfamily.com  
www.feedingfamily.com
206-365-4116