Gerber's line of foods for babies begins with formula for newborns and continues through a selection of meals and snacks for preschoolers. Gerber foods are made without artificial ingredients, and organic choices are available for many items. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, most babies are ready to begin eating solid foods between 4 and 6 months of age.
Formula
Gerber's Good Start infant formulas are made with whey or soy proteins and are designed to be easily digested. In addition to protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals, Gerber formulas include the fatty acids DHA and ARA, which occur naturally in breast milk, and are important for the development of brain and eye tissues.
Baby Food
Baby foods are divided into cereals, 1st foods, 2nd foods and 3rd foods. For beginning eaters, Gerber offers single-grain barley, oatmeal, rice and whole wheat cereals, oatmeal and rice cereals with DHA, and organic brown rice and oatmeal cereals. For babies ready to move to mixed cereal, choices include mixed grains, grain and fruit, and grain and yogurt cereals. Gerber's 1st foods is a line of pureed fruits and vegetables; many organic choices are also available. According to the company, "1st Foods Purees are made with gentle ingredients ideal for your baby's first foods, and have smooth textures for babies learning how to eat." When babies are ready to try new tastes, Gerber's 2nd foods line includes various combinations of fruit, vegetables, meats and cereals, some with DHA added. Again, a number of organic options are available. The 3rd foods selections are thicker purees, with soft chunks of food designed to help babies get used to chewing.
Toddler Food
Gerber's choices for toddlers include complete dinner combination meals, a variety of Pasta Pick-Ups raviolis, Lil' Meals single entrees, side dishes, snacks and yogurt blends. Two organic Pasta Pick-Ups selections are available.
Preschooler Food
For preschoolers, Gerber offers combination meals, snacks and two varieties of fruit treats. None of the Gerber Graduates for Preschoolers items is organic.
