ABCs of baby food
Fresh and surprising news and approaches to your child’s first bites, from A to Z
You want the best for your baby. That’s why you researched the right car seat, test-drove a dozen strollers, and battled it out on the breastfeeding front, sore nipples and all. Yet when it comes time for your little one to lose the all-liquid diet and start solids, moms and dads may grab a baby-faced jar without inspecting the ingredients. Even parents who whip up their own purées can make simple mistakes that short baby on valuable vitamins and nutrients. So read on for an alphabet’s worth of tips that will change the way you feed your baby — for the better!
A-E
A is for allergy
Myth: Parents should avoid offering suspect foods like fish and eggs until after baby’s first birthday. Truth is, unless there’s a family history of food allergies, holding off won’t prevent allergies in your child, says the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Just watch closely and wait three days between introducing new foods to be sure there’s no allergic reaction.
B is for BPA
If you’re freezing your homemade baby food in plastic ice-cube trays, beware of BPA, a hormone-disrupting toxin found in plastic that can leak into baby’s food, especially under extreme temps. Look for BPA-free freezer trays or choose stainless steel (naylanaturalcare.com offers both, with shipping across Canada).
C is for choking hazards
Beware of foods that may pose a choking hazard (think dried fruit, nuts, peanut butter, popcorn), particularly before baby’s first birthday. Psst: Cut grapes, raisins and cherry tomatoes into quarters before serving, and never leave baby unsupervised while he’s eating.
D is for desserts
Steer clear of baby desserts, which have added sugar. For example, a single jar of Gerber Spoonable Smoothie Fruit Medley contains 15 g sugar (31⁄2 teaspoons!). Offer naturally sweet pure fruit purées instead.
E is for eggs
You may already know that eggs deliver protein, B vitamins, and choline, a necessary nutrient for brain development. Babies can eat egg yolks at six months, and the protein-packed white as well from their first birthdays.
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What do you think?
ronelle says ....
this is so refreshing to read.....i love that the advice is actually healthy and not just what society wants us to feed our kids!
i am a health wise woman/mother who wants to pass down health for my baby too. thank you for not telling moms to buy bottled baby dinners off the shelf, instead giving us more advice on how to make it ourselves. way better.