Once your baby is beginning to eat solid food, you might be wondering what food is best to keep them healthy and strong. There are so many brands and types of baby food, as a parent it can become impossible to decide what is right for your child. Plus, some parents take it upon themselves to shame other parents who don’t do the same as them. At the end of the day, though, the decision as to what to feed your child is yours and yours alone to make.
If you are seeking advice, though, here you will find some guidelines to feeding your baby healthy solid food when they begin to wean off milk. Let’s get started.
Make your own vs shop-bought baby food
The Baby Food Industry is a huge one, worth billions worldwide, but does that mean you should be paying into it? Many parents are highly opinionated about feeding their children shop-bought or home-made baby food, but at the end of the day, most parents go for a mixture of both. Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of each choice, plus some advice for parents struggling with what to do.
Shop-bought baby food
Pre-manufactured baby food is perfectly safe for babies, and is nothing to worry about on a deep level. Many parents, particularly when both parents work full time and don’t have all day to spend in the kitchen blending fruits and vegetables together, find that they mainly feed their babies store-bought baby food. This is a quick, easy and tasty way to give your baby the nutrients they need to thrive.
Home-made baby food
A lot of parents opt for making their own baby food, and in truth, this is an ideal way to feed your baby. Not only do you know exactly what is in everything your baby eats, you can ensure they eat fresh food as much as possible, packed with vitamins and minerals that will help their bodies grow. That is not to say that pre-made baby food can’t give your baby what they need – it can! – but all-natural, home-made food is always a healthier choice.
Combining the two
If you feel a lot of pressure to feed your baby a totally home made food diet, but you simply can’t find the time and resources to do so, don’t feel bad. There’s no reason to feel like a failure because other parents, who might have more money and time, can do that. You are perfectly capable of feeding and taking care of your baby, so make sure you aren’t beating yourself up about food choices.
For most parents, it is achievable to combine the two and feed their baby a mixture of store-bought and homemade foods. This gives you the ease of not having to prepare every single meal from scratch, but also allows your baby to eat fresh ingredients that benefit their immune system and growth.
At the end of the day, your baby’s health is down to you. Make the right choice for your family, and you’re doing just enough!
