The formula for success

Q: My 10-month-old grandson was breast fed for seven months, but now is on soy formula and jarred baby food. But I've been reading about the dangers of people eating non-fermented soy products. How healthy is soy formula? What would you recommend as a good diet for a 10-month-old?

JVW: The best possible nourishment for an infant and toddler is breast milk, and this is the best diet for him until the little one starts demanding to eat what everyone else is eating (as long as it's not junk food, of course!).

Breast milk is much higher in various fatty acids and phospholipids than any formula. These substances are critical to normal human brain growth and function.

So formula, whether it's made from cow milk, goat milk, soy, or anything else should only be used if the mother simply isn't able to nurse. If that is the case, look for brands of formula that contain the fatty acids arachidonic acid (AA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, not DHEA).

When the baby does start clamoring for "big people" food, use a blender, juicer, or food processor to grind all-natural, whole foods into a form he can swallow easily.

When it comes to a healthy diet, natural is always best -- no matter how old you are.

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