Baby Food

To many parents feeding their baby solid food for the first time is very exciting. It also raises the question, do you use store bought baby food, or make it yourself. Most parents tend to go with store bought baby foods, mainly because of convenience. These days' most parents are too busy to take time out of their schedules to make their own purees for their baby. The first year of a baby's life is very important and it is when they develop the most. If parents made a personal effort, they would realize making their own baby food is much healthier, very fun, and cost efficient.

Variety is important to a baby's diet. Parents who make their own baby food have more fruits and vegetables to choose from. They can mix and match any flavors they want to and do not have to rely on what their local stores offer. This is not only good for baby, but it is also fun to make. "They can choose their own fruits, vegetables, and other foods for purees, instead of relying on the flavors chosen by manufacturers. You're not going to find melons or avocados in the baby food section of the supermarket." Says Gina Shaw in an article found on WebMD.com. Homemade baby foods also encourage healthy eating habits. Making only high quality, healthy baby foods and snacks will help develop a learning to love whole non-processed foods. Raising babies to prefer the taste of real, whole foods over processed foods is one small step in the right direction for healthy eating later on in their childhood.

Making baby food is easy. Some foods like avocado or bananas can simply be mashed up by a fork. Others may have to be steamed, peeled, or boiled but it is well worth the time and effort when parents get the gratification of knowing exactly what they are putting into their baby's body. The time parents take going to the store to buy ready-made foods is less than the time it takes to prepare, make & store homemade foods.