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Feeding Baby: Transitioning to Solids

Feeding Baby: Transitioning to Solids

With a full gourmet spectrum of options of baby foods on the market, how do you choose foods that are nutritious and safe?

First foods usually include a cereal, such as rice cereal, mixed with some water, breast milk or formula. This is usually followed by the introduction of single mashed or pureed fruits, such as bananas, apples or pears. When purchasing any baby food product, read labels in order to be sure that you are avoiding preservatives, artificial flavors and colors, unnecessary salt and sugar, and fillers. The organic baby food market is booming and it is easy to find a number of organic brands of baby cereal and jarred food available at most supermarkets.

An alternative or addition to purchasing prepared baby food is to make your own by mashing, steaming and pureeing fruits, vegetables and even meats. This is an easy way to know your baby is eating food that is fresh and free of non-essentials. A batch of pureed baby food can be prepared then frozen into individual servings that can be used throughout the week. Your baby will have his or her favorites; experiment before making a huge batch of food that will go uneaten.

The big thing you want to avoid whether purchasing baby food or produce so that you can make your own is pesticide residue. Certain foods are known to carry a high pesticide load; these include apples, peaches, spinach, green beans and pears&#151all of which are popular baby food choices. To protect your baby from ingesting synthetic pesticides, choose certified organic produce. For more info, check out this list of the top 10 foods to eat organically.

Delaying the introduction of solid foods until baby is 6 months old is recommended in order to allow better development of the digestive system.

And always use caution when using canned baby formula, as it has been found to contain dangerous chemicals.
Get more information here.

Read more: Family, Babies, Smart Shopping

By Terri Hall-Jackson, Care2 Green Living contributing writer

Terri Hall

Terri Hall lives in the Hudson Valley with her family. In addition to writing, Terri works with public television and radio stations/networks in the area of new media, and leads workshops on authentic and empowered living.

20 comments

+ add your own
2:01AM PDT on Apr 26, 2012

Thanks for sharing.

1:59AM PST on Feb 9, 2012

Thank you

8:33AM PST on Dec 18, 2011

thanks.

1:22PM PDT on Nov 1, 2011

Good information to know. Thanks Terri.

2:59PM PDT on Oct 23, 2011

Some good information. Just remember not to rush it. No peanut butter or peanut products before age two to avoid allergies.

3:38PM PDT on Oct 1, 2011

thanks

12:43AM PDT on Sep 22, 2011

Thanks for the article.

4:45AM PST on Dec 16, 2010

Thanks for the info.

1:39AM PDT on Aug 19, 2010

thanks!

2:35AM PDT on Aug 16, 2010

thankyou

add your comment

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

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