When your baby reaches 4 to 6 months old, baby foods will be introduced to the diet. Before this point, breast milk or formula gives her all the nutrition she needs to commence healthy growth and development. Besides looking at the healthful nutritional value baby foods have, it is also incredibly fun to introduce the new tastes and flavors to your baby.
Baby foods consist of fruits, vegetables and meats that have been pureed into a thick, soupy consistency. As your baby becomes more accustomed to the new tastes and ability to master eating solids, the consistency of the baby food can be thickened to promote and encourage chewing. Baby food can be store bought in ready-to-feed packages, frozen and organic. It can also be made from scratch.
What to Look for
When shopping for baby food, most grocery stores stock a variety of brands and selections, as well as stages of baby food to meet growth and development changes.
Make sure to start your baby on foods that are appropriate for his age and stage. Try new fruits, vegetables or meats for three to five days before introducing another new taste and flavor. This will allow you the time needed to observe for allergic reactions and the overall like and dislike of each specific food introduced. Store-bought baby foods are packaged in easy-to-use jars and containers that allow you to heat and serve. Because organic foods are such a big thing today, you can even find ready-to-feed organic brands of baby food.
If you are interested in keeping foods as healthy as possible, you can purchase fresh fruits, vegetables and meats. Then, cook and puree to the correct consistency. However, when choosing to make your own baby food, you must be vigilant in checking produce and meats thoroughly, inspecting specifically for mold and any other indication that the food is tainted in anyway. Also, if making and storing your own baby food is a preference, you should also check to see if the stored food has spoiled.
Common Pitfalls
Though cooking and preparing your own baby food may look like the best way to ensure the most healthful nutrition, it can also cost more and you may find limits on obtaining a variety of different foods. Certain fruits and vegetables go out of season during different points of the year, or prices may skyrocket during other times of the year.
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