Feeding Your Baby

I have such a hard time when I read articles on what to feed babies and when.  So often they say to start babies on cereal.  I am completely opposed to feeding my little ones cereal until after they are 1 years old.

Studies show that babies do not have the digestive capability to digest grains until 18 months.  In my opinion, cereal is fed to babies as a way to keep them feeling full longer so they will sleep longer.  That sounds great, sleep…But what is it doing to the baby?  Did we really decide to have children so we could sleep easier?

I have always gone against the tradition when it comes to feeding my children.  I made all my own baby food, and currently do now for the littlest one.  I find that I prefer to start with fruit.  I understand that fruit is sweeter and people have the fear that if you start with fruit they won’t eat their veggies.  I believe that is a myth.  it is all about offering them a variety.

I start them off on fruit because it is a pre-digested food.  Your body does not have to work hard to process fruit.  babies do not have all of the digestive enzymes that adults do and we need to think about that when we first start to offer food.  Fruit is easier on their body.

My children are great little eaters.  For the most part they eat all their fruits and veggies.  Of course they have their likes and dis-likes, but they are well fed and I have no worries about them going to a 5-star restaurant and ordering off of the menu.

It is so easy to make baby food.  When you are doing fruit, peel it, blanch it and then blend it.  The younger they are, the more liquid from blanching you add to make it watery.  As they get older and used to eat, you stop adding liquid and just blend.  Once blended, put it in ice cube trays to freeze.  A ziploc baggie works great for storing once the cubes are frozen.  This is also a great way to determine how much they are eating per sitting.

Veggies work pretty much the same way.  Most vegetables need to be boiled and not blanches.  Butternut squash was always a favorite.  Simply cut and bake for an hour and blend.  It truly is as sweet if not sweeter than any fruit you will offer.

So if your up to making your own food, you’ll save a ton of money and know exactly what your baby is getting.  Good luck, have fun!