Q: What should my baby’s first foods be? –M.J.

A: For the first six months of life, babies don’t need any food other than breast milk and/or formula (fortified with DHA). At six months (about the time when a baby starts stealing food off your plate), introduce single, nutrient-rich and creamy foods. Excellent choices include mashed sweet potatoes and butternut squash (think orange!), ripe avocado, and bananas. Unsweetened, organic applesauce is also a good choice and is a handy on-the-go snack. Rice cereal is often recommended as a first food. Prepared cereals are fortified with iron and other nutrients that breast milk and vegetables may not provide. Choose an organic brown rice cereal to use alone or mix it with breast milk, applesauce, or any of the foods mentioned above. Avoid introducing gluten and common allergens, such as tomatoes and strawberries, and especially sugar for as long as possible.     

Lisa Tsakos