5 things parents should know about baby food: interview with dr. erika landau

I recently conducted an interview via email with a dr. erika landau, co-author of "the essential guide to baby's first year":

1. In the first year of a baby's life, what foods do you recommend giving baby?

In the first year start at around 6 months with either vegetables, fruits or baby cereal. there is no specific order. try every food for 3-4 days at a time.

2. I'm not a big cook myself, is there one simple recipe for babies that me and my daddy readers should know?
Grilled deboned chicken breast goes a long way: warm up your oven to broil. Put the chicken breast spiced with sweet paprika, fresh or dried herbs(thyme, dill) in an oven proof dish. Sprinkle with olive oil and a few drops of lemon. Broil for 12-14 minutes on each side. You can ground it, chop it, serve it with pasta, rice, potatoes, in a salad.

3. What are foods in a baby's first year that you recommend to parents to stay away from?
Stay away from raw honey, it has a bacteria that can potentially harm a baby causing botulinism. Recent studies show that maybe giving babies over 6 months nuts could be OK. Until the Academy of Pediatrics will issue a statement, I would advise you to stay away from them until after 1-2 years.
Regular milk should start around age 1. Anything that the baby can choke
one(hot dogs!) is off limits.

4. Generally speaking, are boys or girls bigger eaters?
Every child is different. They will eat different foods in different quantities. There is no major difference between boys and girls. It depends on their health, size and temperament.

5. In your opinion, what is the greatest misconception about baby foods?

  The great misconception about baby food is that it has to be bland. No

way. Try to give babies food that taste good, you do not have to use salt
but mild spices and herbs. Never, ever force a baby to eat. Meal times need
to be quiet preferably with the family without TV or toys.