Everyone asks about it. Some doctors still recommend it. A lot don't. So what's so special about rice?
Iron Supplementation
When babies hit about 6 months of age, they start absorbing less iron from breast milk. This happens about the same time that iron stores from birth drop. This will be a problem for some babies, but not all. There are symptoms of iron deficiency anemia, but most babies with low iron will show no symptoms at all. So there's no way to know if your baby needs extra iron-rich foods or iron supplementation. The idea behind rice cereal was to address this issue by supplementing every baby; add iron to rice, which is a food that most babies will not react to, and give it to every baby as a first food.
The Problem
When you add iron, a constipating nutrient, to rice, a constipating food, you get a lot of constipated babies. Furthermore, white rice turns to sugar quite quickly in the body. Feeding babies rice cereal may be associated with problems such as diabetes and obesity in later life. Note that this is certainly not a proven fact, and it is a hot and controversial topic right now. One of the most noted rice cereal opponents is Alan Greene, MD. You can read his piece on rice here.
Most importantly, there is arsenic in rice. Brown rice used to be a good alternative to white rice, including for babies: it does not turn quickly to sugar in the body and has health benefits that white rice lacks. However, there is more arsenic in brown rice than in white. The FDA, Consumer Reports, and The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) all advise parents to provide a variety of grains to children, rather than just rice. The AAP goes on to advise that it is best to provide children with a varied diet in general, and that vegetables, meat, and other grain cereals are all reasonable alternatives to rice cereal as a first food for baby.
The Solution
I do not recommend rice cereal, or any cereal as a first food. I think cereals are a fine and necessary food for children, but they are not super foods like yams, spinach, blueberries, and salmon are. Eventually you will introduce your child to grains; I just don't think there's any rush. I recommend starting grains once you've established a good variety of vegetables, meat, and fruits. At that point, whole grains can be a tasty, nutritious, and filling supplement to your child's diet. Once you do introduce grains, limit rice, both white and brown, until the arsenic issue is resolved.
Finally, let me be clear: some babies do need extra iron. Some may even need supplementation. This is something you really should discuss with your child's provider. BUT, there are iron-rich foods that are not rice cereal. Meat, broccoli, and dark leafy greens are all high in iron and great choices for first foods. Note, however, that meat may also cause constipation in your little one.
OTHER FIRST FOODS
I typically recommend yams / sweet potatoes (these are always mislabeled in the store - I'm talking about the ones with reddish skin and orange flesh), winter squash, and avocado as first foods. Yams and winter squash are high in nutrients and lend themselves quite easily to baby food. Avocado is rich in fats and also lends itself well to baby food.
I do think it's a good idea to give vegetables before fruits. Although there is no scientific proof to the idea of discouraging the sweet tooth by starting with veggies, it certainly doesn't hurt to try. There's no limit to the veggies and fruits you can offer, but here are some factors to keep in mind: broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, and cabbage may cause gas; bananas and apples may cause constipation.
ADVENTUROUS PALATES
There is evidence that baby's preferences for certain foods begin developing in utero, based on exposure via the placenta, and continue through exposure via the breast milk, and on through early food experiences. For more on this idea, see this article. In other words, now is the time to expose baby to a wide variety of foods and spices. Keep this in mind as you are choosing first foods.
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