Real Food for Real Families: A Chiropractor's Guide to Nutrition for Mom and Baby

Real Food for Real Families: A Chiropractor's Guide to Nutrition for Mom and Baby

By Dr. Camille Berger, Webster Technique Certified Prenatal and Pediatric Chiropractor in Cedarburg, WI

As a mama of four and a fertility and pediatric chiropractor, I'm often asked about nutrition. The truth is, feeding your family well doesn't have to be complicated. Some of the best advice I can give fits into one simple phrase: "Eat real food, the way God made it."

I know that might sound too simple, but as someone who's navigated feeding babies and toddlers of my own and helped countless families in my practice, I've learned that the most powerful wellness strategies are often the most straightforward.

What Makes a Healthy Diet?

A healthy diet comes down to balance – three essential components working together:

Protein: Your Family's Foundation 

Protein builds and repairs everything from muscles to developing brains. Choose from:

  • Quality meats: chicken, beef, pork, fish, shellfish

  • Beans and legumes: chickpeas, lentils, black beans

  • Pseudo-grains like quinoa

Carbohydrates: Natural Energy 

Focus on nutrient-dense options:

  • Vegetables: broccoli, green beans, squash, carrots

  • Fruits: apples, berries, melon

  • Whole grains: sourdough, rice, pasta

Healthy Fats: Essential for Fertility and Development 

Especially important for women trying to conceive, during pregnancy, and for your baby's brain development:

  • Quality oils: olive, avocado, coconut

  • Nuts and seeds: almonds, cashews, peanuts

  • Full-fat dairy: yogurt, butter, cream, cheese

Building Nourishing Meals Simply

Here's my three-step approach:

  1. Start with protein – your foundation

  2. Add vegetables and fruits – make plants the focus

  3. Include healthy fats – for satisfaction and nutrition

For snacks, choose any two: protein, fruit or vegetable, healthy fat.

When Baby is Ready for Solid Foods

Most babies show readiness around 6 months with these three signs:

  • Teeth are beginning to emerge

  • Sitting independently

  • Loss of tongue thrust reflex

Once ready, let them eat with the family at meal times. Food should be social and enjoyable.

How Should Your Baby Eat? 

You have two main approaches:

  • Purees offer a gentle introduction to texture

  • Baby-led weaning builds eating skills and motor development

With baby-led weaning, your child controls their feeding. They build fine motor skills and learn to manage textures safely through natural gagging responses. Always supervise and use appropriate food sizes.  If you want to learn more about baby-led weaning, I suggest taking my Nutrition for Mom and Baby Class. 

What Should Baby Eat First? As a pediatric chiropractor, I see how nutrition impacts infant development. In my practice, I often work with babies experiencing colic, feeding difficulties, and sleep challenges. Start with:

  1. Quality meats

  2. Healthy fats

  3. Vegetables

  4. Fruits

  5. Grains last

Excellent first foods include meat strips, egg yolks, avocado, and vegetables. These provide the building blocks growing brains and bodies need most.  I cover this in detail in my Nutrition for Mom and Baby Class. 

The Connection Between Nutrition and Wellness

In my practice, I see daily how nutrition and nervous system health work together. When we nourish our bodies properly, everything functions better – hormone balance, sleep quality, energy levels, and children's development.

Real, whole foods provide what our bodies actually need without complicated supplements or processed alternatives. That fresh apple, wild-caught fish, or farmer's market vegetables are exactly what your family is designed to thrive on.

Your Family's Wellness Journey

Remember, changing trajectories happens through small, consistent choices over time. Start with one meal, one snack, one change that feels manageable for your family.

Whether you're trying to conceive naturally, navigating pregnancy, or addressing feeding challenges with your little one, proper nutrition supports every aspect of your family's health. When we combine good nutrition with nervous system support through chiropractic care, families truly begin to flourish.

Ready to support your family's wellness journey? At Early Beginnings Chiropractic, we specialize in fertility, pregnancy, and pediatric care. Call (262) 421-8539 or schedule online to learn how we can help your family thrive.

Dr. Camille Berger is Webster Technique certified and has over 500 hours of specialized training in pediatric and pregnancy chiropractic care at Early Beginnings Chiropractic in Cedarburg, WI, serving families throughout Ozaukee County.

Courtney Mitchell