Growing a Healthy Baby
Expectant mothers eat a healthy diet themselves while pregnant,
and many stop smoking and cut down or eliminate alcohol and
caffeine in order to give their baby the best start possible.
When it comes to weaning the baby, and starting solid foods,
moms and dads have lots of questions about the best and
healthiest way to do it. Questions like: do I need a food
processor, should I buy baby food or make my own, where can I
find baby food recipes, and can I switch to formula to go back
to work?
What I discovered with my baby is that there are no “yes” and
“no” answers. What is right for one family may not be right for
another. Here’s what worked for me.
Natural Foods are Best
Most doctors agree that the breast is best. If you must stop
nursing, there are formulas such as SMA which will provide good
nutrition for your baby.
The most important thing is to be sure the foods you are feeding
your baby do not have additional salt, sugar, and other
additives. For many parents, the right solution is making their
own foods. Cooking a batch of vegetables or fruits like apples
and carrots, and then pureeing and freezing them will ensure
that you know exactly what your baby is eating. Use a little of
the cooking water, formula, or breast milk to ensure a smooth
consistency.
Using a food processor is an easy way to puree the home-cooked
foods, but it is not necessary. You can put the cooked food in a
sieve, and mash it through with the back of a spoon. Use baby
cubes to freeze your healthy home-made meals. When ready to feed
baby, put one in the microwave and thaw.
For other parents, making their own food is not a good option.
Rest assured there are many good brands of additive-free baby
and toddler foods on the market. Heinz has been making quality
baby foods for many years, and has now branched out into making
organic foods and juices. Cow & Gate produces a full range of
baby foods, cereals and juices. Holle is a European brand which
also makes organic foods. These companies also have web-sites
with information and advice on feeding, as well as recipes, as
does Bounty. Coupons are a good way to save money on buying
prepared baby foods.