Healthy Baby Food Recipes

Having a child is a joy, and making sure that they get the healthiest start in life is your gift to them. Many people will find themselves sucked into buying baby food from the shelves, but you needn't do this as it can be expensive and lacking in the fullest nutritional properties.

If you are going to buy pre-made baby food at you local super store, then organic and natural are probably the best kind to buy. However making your own can be simple and quick and better for your child. It will also give your child a greater experience of different kinds of food. It is also important to know that your child may grow to be less fussy later in life if you feed them a good range of food at an early age.

♥ Talking to your Paediatrician

It is absolutely necessary to get as much information from a professional source as you possibly can. Another good place to get information on feeding your baby is in Mother and Baby magazines as these will be a great place for first-hand information and some tried and tested recipes. Also, ask other women who have been or are mothers - they'll have some great ideas to share with you!

♥ Blending Food Together

Investing in a blender or processor at an early stage is important. This means that your baby can eat the same food as you and be part of a family approach to eating.

Check out how to make applesauce for a tasty snack for your newborn. Don't forget that you can freeze this in ice cube trays for your convenience, or store in jars in the fridge.

♥ Testing for Allergies

The easy way to test for allergies is to introduce one new food every week and keep alert to any reactions they may be having. Of course, if your baby does seem to react to some foods, always go and have a check up with your doctor.

♥ Introduction of Solid Foods

This will probably be around the age of about 5 months. A very general guideline is the following: only breast milk or formula up to the age of 5 months, then up to the age of 8 months you can puree fruit and vegetables and some cereals also, then up to 1 year old you can start to introduce meat and dairy products. A fairly good regulator of when your baby is ready to eat solid food is if they are able to keep their head up and sit up without your support or when their birth weight is doubled.

Each mum will feel differently about how they want to raise their child and feed their baby, so go with your maternal instinct. And remember that the most important thing you can do for your baby is to feed it your milk, this is the way nature intended it to be.

Baby Breakfast - Apple, Pumpkin and Oatmeal
- Halve, de-seed and peel 1 pumpkin. Cut into cubes.
- Core and peel 3 apples, and cut these into cubes.
- Pop these in a steamer, or in a steaming basket. Bring the water to the boil (if using traditional method) and cook until soft.
- Puree in a blender, then add a cup of cooked oatmeal (boil together oats and water, until its the correct consistency). Mix together and serve with a sprinkle of cinnamon (7months+).

Check out the excellent website Wholesome Baby Food, for loads of advice and recipes on feeding your baby. Or try Annabel Karmel for nutrition and answers to all your queries.

Learn more and find other tasty baby food recipes at:

• DIY Vegan Baby Food at SImply Pure Vegan Baby
• How to Handle Challenging Eaters at Natural Parents Network