Baby Food

Are you expecting a new bundle of joy? And, do you need advice on the types of baby food you should feed your precious little one? In addition, do you want to know what type of food you should serve at a baby shower?

A child’s first bite of solid food is an important milestone for any parent. Solid food is often introduced into the baby’s diet between 4 and 6 months, and this is while the child is still being breastfed. Like all the big “firsts” in your baby’s life, this milestone is one that should be remembered as it opens the doorway to your baby’s growth and development. It is important to choose only the most wholesome and nutritious foods for the soon-to-be-mothers, as well as for the baby - so as to ensure their good health. We have a guide to help you choose both safe and tasty food ideas for a baby shower and good baby recipes for you to try out to satisfy your little one’s taste buds.

 

Baby Shower Food

When choosing food for a baby shower, one should consider both the needs of the mother, as well as those of the guests attending the shower. The diet of an expecting mom affects her baby and her breast milk. This is why doctors often recommend that expecting mommies continue to take a prenatal vitamin supplement during pregnancy and also after the pregnancy while she is breastfeeding. You can make the baby shower extra fun by adding exciting and colorful food. There are so many ideas you can choose from when picking which baby shower food to use. You can choose from healthy baby snacks, juicy mocktails (for the mom to be who cannot consume alcohol), meat and cheese balls, traditional ham sandwiches and a lot more.

 

Baby Shower Food Ideas

Choosing appropriate, yet tasty food does not have to be boring. Here are some exciting food and drink ideas for a baby shower:

  • Mocktails
    Mocktails are perfect for everyone who is joining in the fun and showing support to the expecting mother. Choose between Pineapple-Mint Mojito Mocktails, Lime Zingers, Raspberry Sherbet Party Punch and Mock Champagne.
  • Baby Potato Bites
    Baby/Mini sized foods are cute and appetizing. Tasty baby potato bites are made with baby potatoes, salmon, fresh chives and sour cream.
  • Gluten-Free Desserts
    These desserts, which are gluten-free, are not only healthy and accommodating to those who do not enjoy a gluten diet, but are also convenient and easy to make. Try gluten-free strawberry shortcake for a girl’s baby shower and gluten-free blueberry shortcake for a boy’s shower.
  • Food With Cartoon Characters
    Food with cartoon characters on them, like cakes with Barbie or Sesame Street characters are cute and fun treats for everyone to enjoy.
  • Layered Strawberry Jell-O Cups
    Jell-O is enjoyed by everyone from the kids to the adults. Strawberry Jell-O mix, cool whip and strawberries are used to make colorful and delicious layered strawberry Jell-O cups.
  • Fun Cakes and Cupcakes
    Cakes and cupcakes in the shape of baby blocks, baby rattles and pacifiers are always in demand.

  

What Are Appropriate Baby Food Recipes? 

Allergens are an important point to consider when choosing appropriate baby food recipes. When it comes to safety, it is crucial to take note of your family history with food. For instance, has there been an incident with an allergy for eggs, nuts or fish? If so, slowly introduce these food items to your baby. Potentially allergenic foods should be given to the toddler three to four days apart so that you can watch out for a reaction to the food. Remember, food should also be mashed or diced into smaller pieces to avoid your baby choking or struggling to swallow food.

Including all the necessary vitamins that your baby need is very important when choosing food recipes. Full cream dairy milk should be given to kids up until the age of two, as they require the minerals and vitamins to develop. However, after the age of 2, baby food can be low fat if the baby is overweight. Obviously, you should always consult your doctor before making changes. Make sure to include lots of fresh fruit that is packed with nutrients. Vitamin C is an important antioxidant that will help your baby’s immune system. Oranges, kiwis and guavas are high in vitamin C.

 

Homemade Baby Food

Many parents opt to choose an organic baby food recipe because it is more planet-friendly, not genetically modified and does not contain additives like tartrazine, aspartame and MSG. It also often tastes better than regular processed food. The benefits of organic and homemade food are endless, however, the price list for these food products are often quite steep. A nourishing and hearty puree, home-made by mom, with the delicious flavors of fruits and spices is a perfect dish for your little canadian – it will have all the taste that matches its colorful and visual appeal. 

Just remember that you need to be careful when puréeing hot food. Let it cool slightly before adding it to the blender. Then remove any plastic inserts from the blender top and replace it with a towel. This can reduce the pressure inside the blender so your kitchen does not end up in a horrible mess.

Making homemade baby food is a good way to cut the costs of buying products that are packaged and it is guaranteed to be healthier and much, tastier for your little one - and maybe even for you! Here are some appropriate homemade baby food recipes:

  • Banana Puree (or Peach, Apple and Strawberry)
    Ingredients:
    • 1 Banana
    Method:
    • Peel a small banana and mash with a fork.
    • During the first stages of weaning, add a little milk if necessary to thin down the consistency and add a familiar taste.
    • Serve with breast milk or formula if serving as a first food’s breakfast.
  • Rice Meal for Babies
    Ingredients:
    • 1/2 cup short grain brown rice (I like to use organic brown rice)
    Method:
    • Place the brown rice in a spice grinder or blender for between 45 seconds and 1 minute or until finely ground.
    • Bring 1/2 cup of water to the boil and sprinkle in 2 tbsp of the ground brown rice.
    • Whisk continuously for 30 seconds and then occasionally for between 4 and 5 minutes or until the mixture is thick and creamy to prevent any lumps from forming.
  • Beets and Blueberry Mash
    Ingredients:
    • 2 medium organic beets, scrubbed well with water, peeled and chopped into small cubes
    • 1/2 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
    Method:
    • Rinse beets well with water and remove skin with a potato peeler or knife.
    • Chop into one-inch cubes and place into a medium saucepan, along with the blueberries.
    • Add just enough water to cover the tops of the beets and the blueberries.
    • Cook on a medium to a high heat for between 10 and 15 minutes, or until the beets are tender.
    • Pour into a food processor or blender and blend until smooth.

 

Best Baby Food Maker

There are many baby food processors, grinders, blenders and mills available to make baby food. These baby food makers save you time and money as you can use these products quickly to make tasty treats - even when on a tight budget. Baby food makers are a trend due to the fact that parents like knowing exactly which ingredients have gone into their baby’s first foods. In addition, parents want to be able to pack in all of the healthiest and freshest food they want.

A baby food maker is often considered the best, as blenders are similar to food processors and turn anything you put inside of them into a puree for toddlers. They are simpler to use than steamers or mills and are often more affordable. Some suggested popular baby food makers include:

  • Beaba Babycook
  • Baby Brezza Baby Foodmaker
  • Cuisinart BFM-1000 Baby Food Maker and Bottle Warmer
  • Babymoov Nutribaby

 

Wholesome Baby Food

Ideally, your baby’s diet should include a balance of nutritious and wholesome baby food such as fruit, vegetables, whole and enriched grains and cereals, milk and other dairy products, meat, fish, poultry and other protein sources. A child’s meals and snacks should include a variety of foods from each group. You should serve food with a variety of colours, each one of which has all of its own nutritious advantages. Dark green leafy vegetables, deep orange vegetables and colourful fruits are often considered to contain the highest amount of vitamins and minerals. Make sure to check the label of baby food items to see if they contain any unnecessary additives or MSG additives and choose low sugar content to prevent diabetes and obesity from a young age.

The best diet for your baby is often an organic one. Baby food bought from your local store often includes preservatives and sugars. Rather choose grass-fed and pastured food if possible. Other good wholesome foods for your toddler include apples, peaches, nectarines, strawberries, grapes, celery, spinach, sweet bell peppers and cucumbers.

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