Very young babies have poor control of their throat and tongue muscles. This makes swallowing difficult and can cause choking or gagging. The risk of allergies may increase if baby’s first foods are introduced too soon. Some studies have suggested that it can led to obesity.
Introducing food to your baby is the beginning of a healthy adventure in food. You are not limited to only starting out with cereals. Many babies like the taste of sweet Potato or other nutrient dense foods even more. Preparing your own homemade baby food isn’t as difficult as you may think. With the right tools, it is quite simple.
- Making baby food using fresh, all-natural ingredients has many benefits, including:
- Increased nutritional value from fresh produce
- Elimination of additives
- Can be modified for any diet needs
- Lower costs
- Tastes better
Some ideal first foods when introducing solids at 4 to 6 months include
- Apple Unsweetened applesauce, or tiny apple chunks that have been softened by cooking in the microwave
- Avocado diced into small, bite size pieces
- Banana mashed or cut into slices which have then been halved or quartered
- Baby carrots, green beans, peas and squash
- Baked or boiled sweet potatoes, in tiny chunks
- Plums, peaches, pears, and apricots, gently cooked if necessary
- Pear juice is easier to digest so it makes a great first juice.
- To minimize the risk of allergies, it’s a good idea to wait until your baby is at least a year old before introducing citrus fruits (including oranges, lemons, and grapefruit) kiwi, strawberries, peanuts and peanut butter, eggs, soy products (including soy milk and tofu), and cow’s milk (including cheeses, yogurt, and ice cream). If there is a family history of food allergy, consult your doctor or allergist for advice on when to start your baby on these more-allergenic foods.
- Babies under a year should not be given honey or corn syrup as they carry the risk of botulism.
Great web sites that I found on baby food recipes
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