Forget squash and sweet potatoes; steak is now recommended for baby’s first solid food.

In a major departure, new Canadian guidelines say parents should be offering their six-month-old infants meat, fish, poultry or meat alternatives two or three times a day.

And they say these iron-rich foods should be the first that babies consume when being introduced to solids.

The recommendations, part of a joint statement quietly released last week by Health Canada, are sure to give some parents pause.

Previously, it was recommended that babies start out eating infant cereals, followed by fruits and vegetables, as they transition to solid foods.

“Traditionally, we’ve been telling parents that meat is the last food to introduce,” said Daina Kalnins, manager of clinical dietetics at the Hospital for Sick Children. “But when you look at why, there is no reason to do that.”

Kalnins, who was not involved in drafting the new guidelines, said parents can still introduce infant cereals first, but that meats or meat alternatives should be offered “sooner rather than later.”

Iron is critical for a baby’s growth and cognitive development. By about six months, a baby’s iron stores start to diminish and those solely fed breast milk will not meet their iron requirements and are in danger of becoming anemic or iron-deficient.

Iron deficiency during infancy and childhood may affect proper brain development, which Kalnins said is irreversible.

Compiled by a working group of health-care professionals from Health Canada, the Canadian Paediatric Society, the Dietitians of Canada and the Breastfeeding Committee for Canada, the recommendations are meant for healthy full-term infants from birth to six months.

It is the first time the guidelines have been updated since 1998.

Another perhaps surprising recommendation is that common allergens, such as whole eggs and fish, can be offered to a baby at six months if there is no family history of food allergies. For many years, parents have been told to delay feeding their infant egg whites until one year of age.

“There is no evidence that withholding whole eggs prevents allergies later on,” said registered dietitian Carol Harrison.

The guidelines also recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, and “sustained for up to two years or longer with appropriate complementary feeding.” The authors report that about 28 per cent of Canadian mothers exclusively breastfeed to six months, a number that remains low.

The document also provides recommendations on how parents should use breast milk substitutes, including donated human breast milk and commercial infant formula. Earlier this year, there were concerns that it had too strong an emphasis on formula feeding.

In a written statement, a spokesperson for Health Canada said the updated guidelines have been “reworked to better emphasize the importance of exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months, while also continuing to provide information and guidance on how to support parents and caregivers who have infants who are not breastfed.”

The spokesperson also pointed out the guidelines are meant for health professionals and that “parents and caregivers should consult their health care professional for advice related to their own particular situation.”

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In the section on introducing meats and meat alternatives as a baby’s first solid food, the experts highlight that meat and fish have been traditional first foods for some aboriginal groups.

The iron-rich foods recommended include meat, poultry, fish, eggs, tofu, legumes and iron-fortified infant cereals. The guideline states infants should continue to get most of their nutrition from breast milk.

Harrison said pureeing meat is as simple as making fruits and vegetables into baby food. However, she warns that pureed meat for babies should not contain added salt, sugars or oils. At first, a portion size of meat should be about one or two tablespoons at each meal.

Connie Stuart, a pediatric dietitian at McMaster Children’s Hospital, said the guidelines provide the latest evidence on other important infant nutrition and health concerns, including colic, regurgitation and constipation.

According to its website, Health Canada will provide updated nutrition guidelines for children between the ages of six months and two years in 2013 or 2014.

Puréed Baby Meat

1/2 cup (125 mL) cooked meat (chicken, beef, etc.), cut into small pieces

1/4 cup (50 mL) water or cooking liquid or milk

In a food processor or blender, combine meat and water. Process for 1 to 2 minutes or until smooth. Serve immediately or freeze in an ice-cube tray for future use.

Makes 2 servings