tofu for babies

[Leonie]

Hello everyone,

I just have a question, I have read lots of threads on this forum saying that you shouldn't give your baby soya milk under the age of 1.
But now my baby is 6 months old and he is going to start eating solids, so in a while I'm going to have to give him a substitute for meat, can I give him tofu, or is this also not good before the age of 1?

I noticed that he has problems with digesting soya products, that is, when I eat soya products he has a lot of wind and it bothers him, I try not to eat that many soya products but it's hard to find substitutes here in Holland.

What did you guys give your baby before the age of 1 to give them a well bablanced meal, any tips?

Thanks!

Leonie

[kjmckenzie]

I've read different things about when to introduce tofu, I have heard either around 8 months or after 1 year. I have also heard that the later the better for things that are potentially allergenic. If you are breastfeeding, you don't need to worry about a balanced diet at six months, food is more for the learning to eat experience than the nutritional quotient. At six months, we were told to start veggies and fruit, people differ on whether it is fruit or veggies first, fruit should be easier to digest first, but I was told to stick to a new food for a few days at a time, and then introduce another. In a couple of months you can introduce mashed beans and lentils which are very nutritious, more so than tofu because they are high in fiber.
A good book detailing when to introduce foods for vegan babies is Vive le Vegan. That book says fruits to start with are cooked peaches and blueberries.
Good luck!

[xmysticprincessx]

according to dd's former doctor, they don't recommend soy milk (or regular cow's milk for that matter) before the age of 1 because neither contain the amount of iron an infant needs. then again, dd's former doctor doesn't believe that soy milk is a good substitute for cow's milk because of the calorie difference. he just doesnt think that its an acceptable beverage, but that's why he's dd's former doctor. ;)

[Christa]

I probably would wait until after 1 as well just to minimize the allergy possibility and also b/c the proteins can be a bit tough on a young and immature digestive system. Most omnivores don't introduce meat and dairy until 9 months-1 year either, so it isn't just soy.

If I recall correctly, I started giving my daughters some soft cooked beans (garbanzo, pinto or black) at about 9-10 months. Prior to that I just gave them fruits, vegetables and some grains. I also breastfed them until well past a year.

[Krista]

Originally posted by Christa

If I recall correctly, I started giving my daughters some soft cooked beans (garbanzo, pinto or black) at about 9-10 months. Prior to that I just gave them fruits, vegetables and some grains. I also breastfed them until well past a year.

Ditto this. My DS is 8 months, and I did jump ahead and give him so tofu because I was eager for him to try it (my DD was soy intolerant at this age so I didn't get the chance) - and many of my friends had introduced soy at around 7 months. Also, we've been using the book Super Baby Food which really strongly advocates starting tofu at a young (to me) age, so I guess I was swayed.

Anyway, long story short (sort of! ;) ), I've decided to lay off and just stick to the basics. I worry about allergies, and truthfully his tummy doesn't seem to like the soy yet anyway. We'll give it a few more months.

Oh, and I'm an "extended" breastfeeder, also. I hope to make it to at least two years with my DS - was very disappointed when my DD weaned herself at 19 months, while I was pregnant.