[Beth.]

According to The Playskool Guide to Baby's First Year, beets and carrots are on the recommended list of veggies for baby's first year. It says nothing about the nitrate issues. The only no-no's are honey and cow's milk.

Not sure if you have read this book or not, but I've actually enjoyed it. It's not completely crunchy, co-sleep, extended bf, bwearing ish, but it also isn't a strict reiteration of the AAP recommendations. Kinda middle of the road, you're the parent, make good decisions for your family, kind of book.

So, I'm going to second my earlier statement, give him the beets. Oh, had another thought, could you test your soil for nitrates? Our University Extension Agents do that kind of thing, but maybe gardening centers have a kit you can buy.