The post Introducing Solid Foods to your Baby appeared first on All Mum Said.
]]>What age should you start introducing solid foods to your baby? This is a very common question for new mothers. Obviously each child is different but on average it is when your baby is around 4 months to 6 months old. The questions then turn to what to feed them? What brands offer the most nutritional food for my baby? How much do they eat? As you answer one question, you will have another to back it up. This is normal and introducing solid foods to your baby is both scary and exciting.
How do you know when your baby is ready for solid foods? It is often by them exhibiting curiosity to what you are eating and opening their mouth when offered food. They should be able to control their head and neck along with being able to sit aided. My children often tried to grab food out of my hands to try, I took this as a sign they wanted more than just milk. They started solids around 4 months.
Babies initially won’t be interested in eating for long durations as they get full very quickly or get distracted. This is completely normal. Infants often start with 1-2 teaspoons and can be increased as their appetite does.
What brand is best? I have 3 children (with another on the way) and we tried so many brands of baby food. This was to be expected because you want the best for your child and parents will go to great lengths to ensure they are giving their baby not only the greatest quality available but also nutrition and flavour. As I said we tried lots of brands; Heinz, Rafferty’s Garden, Ella’s Kitchen, Bellamy’s, Only Organic and any other brand you will find on the supermarket shelf. While all these brands are good and offer great benefits; for one reason or another we always came back to Heinz.
I like the fact that even though Heinz is convenient for busy parents; the new recipes contain no preservatives, artificial colours or flavours which makes them delicious and nutritious meals for little tummies. They are more than just convenient,they consist of just the good stuff. My kids always loved the Heinz recipes and I’m sure baby number 4 will be no exception, especially as Heinz continue to improve and keep relevant with modern requirements of both nutrition and families expectations. The new flavours and recipes are approved by nutritionists who are passionate about flavours and are mums themselves.So you can guarantee the consideration taken into the production process at every point in their country Victoria kitchen is fantastic. From the sourcing of quality ingredients, to how they are steamed cooked and taste tested to ensure quality and flavour.
Why do parents use pre-packaged baby foods? As a result of our busy lifestyles, work, children, etc. parents don’t always have time every single day to make a special batch of baby food. Well I don’t anyway. This is why I relied on the convenience of nutritional jar and pouch foods on many occasions. I didn’t feel guilty by not having prepared each of their meals from scratch as I was confident it was good for my infant and I had trust in the brand I was feeding to my children. Instead of feeling ‘mother’s guilt’, I got to enjoy and bond with my baby over the excitement of learning to eat different foods and textures.
Is home cooked or pre-packaged better? My children enjoyed both and all three of them are happy and healthy. They also have a relaxed mother who thanks to having the option of convenient pre-packaged trusted quality and nutritious meals, never felt overwhelmed by the pressure of having to ensure they had a perfect home cooked lunch/dinner every day. Of course when I had time I would cook in bulk and freeze baby food but variety is a must to keep little ones excited and interested. I found mashed potato, pumpkins and carrots were an easy option as each time it was served to the family the baby could enjoy it as well. There is no right or wrong answer for this one, it comes down to parents’ preference. Introducing solid foods to your baby can be daunting but it can also be the perfect time for some additional bonding.
What else should I know? While checking the latest recipes suitable for introducing solid foods to your baby, I discovered that on the Heinz for baby website they also have page dedicated to infant nutrition and health. It shares tips on nutrition, how to start feeding your baby solids, what foods to initially offer and much more. There is also a page of recipes that incorporate Heinz baby food but that also offer your child a whole new experience of flavours and textures for each specific age. This is not only a great tool for expanding their taste buds but it also encourages them to try new foods from a young age. As both my husband and I are chefs this is something we have always encouraged in our home. The Heinz for Baby Facebook page also regularly shares tips to help make this transition a smooth one for both you and your infant.
Your child will not like everything they try but if they don’t try or aren’t given the opportunity to trial new flavours they could become a very fussy eater. Keep in mind that if your baby doesn’t like something at first don’t push it, just try again at a later date.
The joy on their very messy little faces is one that I will treasure forever.
What do you food do you feed your baby? Home cooked, pre-packaged or a mix of both?
This post is sponsored by Heinz.
The post Introducing Solid Foods to your Baby appeared first on All Mum Said.
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