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Saturday, September 8, 2012

Baby food


Baby food is any food, other than breast milk or formula, which is made specifically for infants roughly between the ages of four to six months to 2 years. The food comes in multiple varieties and tastes, can be produced by many manufacturers, or may be table food that the rest of the family is eating, mashed up. Because infants lack teeth, many different baby foods are designed for ease of eating; they are either a soft, liquid paste or an easily chewed food. Babies typically move to consuming baby food once nurture or formula is not sufficient for the child's appetite. Babies do not need to have teeth to transition to eating solid foods. 

Breast milk or principle is the only food your newborn needs. Within four to six months, however, your baby will begin to develop the coordination to move solid food from the front of the mouth to the back for swallowing. At the same time, your baby's head control will improve and he or she will learn to sit with support — essential skills for eating solid foods. Babies begin eating liquid style baby food, sometimes mixed with rice cereal and procedure, or breast milk. Pureed vegetables and fruits are an example of liquid style baby food.  

Your baby is 7-8 months old, he/she can eat '2' baby foods, which include single ingredient and combination foods that are strained, instead of being pureed. Examples are Beech-Nut Naturals Stage 2 Apples & Bananas, Gerber 2nd Foods Garden Vegetables, Heinz Strained Vegetables, and Earth's Best Corn and Butternut Squash.

 When your baby is 9-12 months old, he should be ready for '3' baby foods. These foods have more texture and small pieces to encourage chewing. Examples of '3' foods include Beech-Nut Naturals Stage 3 Chicken Lasagna, Gerber 3rd Foods Broccoli & Carrots with Cheese, Heinz Vegetables Beef and  Junior Foods, and Earth's Best Chunky Orchard Fruit . These jars of baby food are easy to spot because they are usually bigger than stage 1 and 2 baby foods, since your baby likely has a bigger appetite by the time he is ready for these foods. 

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