We previously talked about your baby’s very first food. Whether it may be breast milk or formula, this was just the beginning of your baby’s culinary experience. The next step comes somewhere between four and six months of age. Consult with your pediatrician first before starting to try out baby food. Your baby will let you know too, they know best when they are ready. Some signs to look for – your baby turning six months old; your baby has doubled his/her birth weight; he/she is staring at people while they eat ‘grown up’ food.

Once you decide it is time to start your baby on solids, you should take a moment or two to learn what options are available to you. Like anything in life, each of the options has pros & cons. Take the time to learn about them so you can make the best decision for you & your baby.

Readymade foods are convenient. They are designed specifically for babies, so the taste should be acceptable by most babies. If you are not a ‘kitchen person’, readymade food is a great solution that will introduce your baby to a variety of tastes and ingredients. The down side of readymade foods is that they can burn a hole in your wallet. Also, to have extended shelf lives, they must contain preservatives, which affect both their nutritional value and taste.

Making baby food at home it easier that you imagine! You don’t have to buy special products and in comparison with readymade food, the expense is dramatically lower. The benefits of making your own baby food is that you know & control what goes in it, and when it was made. Once you & your baby have experimented and you know what foods get the green light, you can pre make them & freeze, so you don’t have to cook every day.

As with anything new give both yourself & your baby time to experiment.  Whatever your decision is, remember, this is just another taste in your baby’s culinary road. In no time, your baby will be eating what you do, just in smaller pieces…