Author: Splash Creative

Hearing about heavy metals in baby food can leave many parents worried and raise many questions and concerns. Heavy metals pose a risk of toxic exposure to children and can harm the brain, leading to problems with learning, cognition, and behavior. Since metals are found in nature and released into the environment, they can get into food from manufacturing and packaging. Common metals found in food include arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury. There are many steps parents and caregivers can take to reduce the risk of toxic exposure in their child’s diet.

To start, it’s important to serve your baby a well-balanced diet with fruits, vegetables, grains, and lean protein. When your child consumes a diet rich in essential nutrients, their risk of exposure to toxic metals and harmful contaminants is reduced. Make sure to read the labels for baby food and pay attention to the list of ingredients to offer a variety of foods and nutrients.

When it comes to serving grains, it’s best to offer different types and change them up. Rice usually absorbs more arsenic than other crops, so you’ll want to add other kinds of grains to your child’s diet such as oats, quinoa, couscous, and multi-grain cereals. To help lower the arsenic levels in rice, rinse the rice before cooking if you’re preparing it from scratch. 

Avoid giving your baby any fruit juice as it can contain concerning levels of heavy metals. Fruit juice is also not recommended for children under age 2 as it has a lot of sugar and lacks fiber that whole fruits have. Young children should only be fed whole sliced or pureed fruits to help with swallowing. For babies under 6 months of age, they should only be given breast milk or formula. After 6 months, you can give them water and continue feeding them breast milk or formula. Breastfeeding is the best choice, if possible, as breast milk can reduce exposure to toxic metals.

If you feed your baby fish, be careful of the type of fish you choose. Some fish are high in mercury and other metals. Large and predatory fish, such as sharks, are the most concerning. If you feed your child fish, stick to safer options like light tuna and salmon. 

Some studies suggest that organic baby foods might have lower levels of pesticides and chemicals. But heavy metals are found in soil and can also get into organic foods. Organic foods can contain the same levels of heavy metals as non-organic foods. 

In addition to baby food, it’s important to be mindful of other sources of exposure to heavy metals, including your water. As heavy metals can get into tap water, check with your local health department to ensure your water is not contaminated. It’s also important to be mindful of your pipes as older ones can contain lead. Address any peeling or chipping of paint to avoid lead exposure too. Keep babies and toddlers away from cosmetics that may contain lead as well. 

The bottom line – there has always been a trace amount of heavy metals in all foods and within the environment.  Potential exposures are reduced as long as your children are eating a variety of foods.  If you have any questions or concerns about toxic exposure from heavy metals, contact your pediatrician.

For April, Autism Awareness Month, we want to share helpful information and guidance for families of children with autism or families who suspect that their child might have autism. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability and refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication.  There is not just one autism but many subtypes.  Studies are still underway to find the exact causes but research to date suggest it is mostly influenced by a combination of genetic and environmental factors.  Each child with Autism can be affected differently with their own distinct set of strengths and challenges.  What we do know is that early intervention is always best for the child and many children with ASD can lead healthy and happy lives.

Some of the early signs of autism that can show up in young children include delays in social and language skills, differences in how they interact with other people, joint attention (which occurs when the child is looking back and forth between an object and a person while interacting with the person), and regression in developmental milestones and skills during the toddler years. 

One way to notice any of these signs is to stay on top of your child’s milestones and what to expect during each stage of your child’s life. Check out this resource from the CDC to learn about the different milestones in each age group. This is one of the many reasons it’s so important to stay up to date on your child’s routine well check visits so that we can monitor your child’s development. If ASD is suspected in your child, a full evaluation is needed before your child can be diagnosed. Evaluations include observations of your child’s behavior and social interactions, a detailed physical examination, developmental assessment of all skills, and a hearing test. 

Early intervention options include therapies for speech-language, behavior, sensory integration, physical skills, and social skills. These interventions can help enhance your child’s skills. Making accommodations and adjustments for academic education can also help children with autism to learn more easily. For an example, many children with autism learn better visually and can follow instructions when drawn or demonstrated. Note that treatment for each child can look differently depending on the unique individual and their needs. 

With the right treatment and support, your child can thrive and overcome their challenges from autism. Your pediatrician is also here to support your family and child and can point you to the right resources. In addition to treatment, when children with autism transition to adulthood, helping them prepare with the new changes can make that transition more smooth. Changes can be stressful for kids with autism, but there are plenty of resources to assist during the process, such as GotTransition.org. It’s also important to teach your kids independent skills, including making their healthcare appointments and decisions. 

If you have any questions or concerns or if we can support your family, please don’t hesitate to call us. 

March is National Nutrition Month and we want to spread awareness to the importance of a well-balanced diet for children’s health, development, and growth. All kids need an adequate amount of vitamins, minerals, protein, fiber, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats every day. Today, some kids and families are choosing to adopt a plant-based diet. And while all kids will benefit from a nutritional plan, vegetarians and vegans will need specific considerations.

A plant-based diet is safe during any life stage and can even be beneficial in many ways. Children who become vegan or vegetarian tend to have more room in their diet for vegetables and fruits. But, not all plant-based products are healthy such as processed foods. Regardless if your child chooses a plant-based diet or not, it is best that their diet consists mostly of whole foods. Whole foods provide children with a range of nutrients, while processed foods remove some of the nutrients and contain artificial ingredients. 

There are many whole food sources of plant-based protein, including legumes (such as beans, peas, and lentils), nuts, soy foods (such as tofu, edamame, and tempeh), and chia seeds and flaxseeds. Complex carbohydrates and grains like quinoa, brown rice, wheat or multi-grain breads, and whole wheat pasta can also provide protein, especially when paired with other sources. These foods provide fiber as well. For vegetarians, dairy products such as cheese and yogurt are also good protein options. 

In addition to protein, many of these foods offer other essentials. Nuts, chia seeds, and flaxseeds are great sources of healthy fats. Children can also get their fats from hummus and avocados, which can be combined with vegetables to make healthy snacks in between meals. Vegetables, as well as fruits, are important for everyone as they provide fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Vegetarians and vegans can get calcium from eating leafy greens such as kale and spinach, broccoli, and sweet potatoes. 

When planning a plant-based diet, iron is an important mineral to pay attention to. If your child does not get enough iron, they can get iron-deficiency anemia, causing fatigue and low energy. Iron is commonly found in meat, particularly heme iron which is more readily absorbed. However, it is still possible to get enough iron in a vegetarian or vegan diet. Good sources of iron include beans, leafy greens, tofu, dried fruits, and fortified cereals. Iron can be better absorbed when combined with vitamin C, so it’s best to add foods rich in vitamin C to your children’s meals. These include fruits like oranges, strawberries, kiwi, pineapple, papaya, and lemon, as well as broccoli and sweet potatoes.

Vitamin B12 is another important one to pay attention to.  It is primarily found in animal products and an inadequate intake of Vitamin B12 can lead to anemia or with severe deficiency, to neurological problems. For children who are vegan, they will need to take a Vitamin B12 supplement. Fortified nutritional yeast and fortified cereals are also potential sources. 

Keep in mind that every child’s dietary needs may vary, especially if they have certain restrictions due to celiac disease, diabetes, and other health conditions. If you have questions or concerns regarding your child’s nutrition, please contact our office.