Baby Food
Even the most kitchen-challenged parent can make her own baby food. Really!
Here are some common baby food myths, and some realities:
Myth #1: Prepared baby food is recommended.
The truth: The only advantage of buying prepared baby food is that it is already prepared (like a TV dinner).
Myth #2: Babies need to eat bland food, without seasoning.
The truth: Babies, like all humans, should have limited amounts of salt in their diets. But, herbs and seasonings are fine. In fact, offering your baby food the way you have prepared it gets her used to your cooking!
Myth #3: Babies should wait on high allergy foods until they are one or older.
The truth: Those guidelines changed in 2011. Waiting to eat egg whites, peanuts, or seafood until toddlerhood does not prevent food allergies—in fact, earlier introduction of those foods may lower the chance of developing a food allergy. And, it makes baby food preparation a whole lot easier! (Just make sure your baby has had each of the individual ingredients before offering him your lasagna).
Myth #4: Homemade baby food takes too much time to make.
The truth: Do you own a blender or a fork? Seriously, you can prepare most baby food just by throwing your own meal into a blender or mashing it with a fork. If you are out and about, consider buying a $10 portable food grinder and toss it in the diaper bag. When you start offering solid food (between 4-6 months of age), your baby will eat pureed food. But in a matter of weeks, he will quickly advance to chunky textures and then bite-sized pieces. It really doesn’t take much effort or time to “make” baby food at that point.
Some parents ask about “baby led weaning”. This is a catchy phrase that simply means let your kid eat off of your plate. And yes, that is the goal! We don’t encourage your six month old to gnaw on a pork chop.
