Lets talk for a minute about baby food.
Have you ever noticed that children in underdeveloped countries who are often photographed have a perfect smile, and perfectly straight teeth? Clearly there generally isn’t access to an orthodontist….so how can this be? And why is it that children from developed countries like the States often need orthodontic care?
Often in underdeveloped countries, babies are breast-fed until they are several years old. They are strapped to mom’s back and given things like sugarcane and biltong to chew on to keep their attention. Here in the States and in other developed countries our babies often aren’t breast-fed for as long, and we feed our babies rice cereal and other pureed foods. (Please know that I am not comparing facial development with nutrition. Sadly, so many of these underdeveloped countries face malnutrition, especially in their children, however, I do want to focus on the normal facial development that often occurs.)
Beautiful, broad smiles that often develop are due to several things. Breast feeding over bottle feeding really helps develop the arch form of the mouth. It makes the palate broad and flat, allowing all of the teeth to erupt into their proper positions. By having a baby chew on food rather than be served mush, he/she is developing facial muscles which intern is developing the bony structures underneath. Chewy things challenge the skeleton to develop…mush does not.
This is why breast feeding is ideal as long as you are able to and feel comfortable doing so. I understand that this may not always be possible for a myriad of reasons. I also recommend that you give your baby foods that challenge facial development. Allow them to chew on foods as they eat rather than spoon-feeding pureed foods that are easily swallowed without really any muscle use.
Here is an amazing book that discusses just this! (link below to purchase)
