Society seems to be a bit mixed up these days when it comes to “baby food”. You see, most parents tend to think there is “food”, and then there is “baby food”. Flavorless jars of highly treated food, processed rice “treats” that melt in the baby’s mouth instead of teaching chewing, packaged vegetable juice so your baby doesn’t need to taste the vegies they are eating.
These are just a few of the food like baby products sold to us each and every day.
Do you want to know a secret? We don’t have to buy them! That is right, we don’t have to spend an extra penny on these food like products. Instead, we can do what others have done for thousands of years. We can feed our babies food. You know, food, like you or I would eat. That’s right.
Your baby is real, right? Then why would you feed your baby anything but real food? You child is much more likely to come out of that picky toddler age loving real food if he had it as a baby. The best part is real food can save you money.
Getting Started with Wholesome Baby Food
Wholesome Baby Food is a great which gives a wide variety of baby food options as well as guidelines for each age. A quick reference for those with some food background or an in depth guide for those unlearning the baby food misconception. This site is a great starting point regardless of your level of knowledge if you would like to feed your real baby real food.
The next step is to find what works best for your family and your child. Each child is different; here is a look at three mothers and their journey through introducing real food to their babies.
Heather’s Story
Heather of Rockstew started out like many who want to feed real food for their baby. When she wanted to streamline the procces of making food for her daughter, she turned to a crockpot to create a wonderful variety of soft, fresh, foods which she would freeze. She also found that her daughter loved spices from an early age. Heather’s daughter is just over one year now, and shows a love for a wide variety of foods. Want to try her system, but don’t have a crockpot? Get one with a removable stone insert for the most flexibility and convenience, such as the Hamilton Beach 8 Quart Oval Slow Cooker
.
Jenny’s Story
Jenny of Nourished Kitchen found that her son did not like to be spoon fed, and that the introduction to food was a rough one. That was, until, she stumbled upon “Baby Led Weaning”, an approach that bypasses not only the packaged food like baby products, but also the soft foods altogether. Jenny’s son is now a little boy who has anything but the typical food outlook, and for the better. Learn more about Baby-Led Weaning
from Gill Rapley in his book which introduced it.
My Story
I knew I wanted quick and easy real food for Samantha. I also knew that my husband would be feeding her at times, and he would not be making any of her foods. I believed strongly that if I would not eat a food, I would not feed it to my daughter. Being aware of baby led weaning, I gave it a try. However, Samantha was just too excited about eating, and continually broke off choke sized pieces to eat. She loved the purees I made her, taking the spoon from my hand and eating it. I never once put the spoon in her mouth. I placed it in front of her mouth, and allowed her to feed herself. I often had to use two spoons, one for her to feed herself with, and one for me to reload. I relied heavily on frozen fruits and veggies, which I pureed and refroze in these handy containers with covers in the Fresh Baby So Easy Baby Food Kit
. It was quick, simple, and I loved her food as much as she did. Over time, she started eating pieces of bread, and other foods. She now loves to help me cook every night (at 14 months), and eats pretty much whatever is put in front of her.
Your Story
It is your turn now. How are you going to feed your baby? Giving her real food will set her up to love real food. Tell me what you plan on doing or what worked for you in the comments below.
