Baby food
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Baby food is any food that is made specifically for infants, roughly between the ages of six months to two years. The food comes in many varieties, with different manufacturers and tastes. A common trait of the many different baby foods is that they are designed for ease of eating; either a soft, liquidy paste or an easily chewed food. This is due to the fact that infants lack teeth and experience in eating.
Each baby is different: some may need food other than breast milk or infant formula sooner than others, and as there is no Baby Food Pyramid, it is hard to tell the nutritional requirements of any given baby. Babies typically move to consuming baby food once nursing or formula is not sufficient for the child's appetite. A baby usually starts to eat solid food once the child has enough teeth to adequately chew.
It is often recommended to give a baby food at around 6 months of age, but babies differ greatly. Signs of readiness include the ability to sit without help and the display of active interest in food that others are eating. A baby may be started directly on normal family food if attention is given to choking hazards. Because breastmilk takes on the flavor of foods eaten by the mother, these foods are especially good choices.
One may wish to introduce only one new food at a time, leaving a few days in between to notice any reactions that would indicate a food allergy or sensitivity. This way if a baby is unable to tolerate a certain food then it can be determined which food is causing the reaction.
It has traditionally been common to start infants on solid food from 4+ months onwards - however current research and WHO/UNICEF "Baby Friendly" guidelines recommend only breastmilk until 6 months of age.
Some adults consume baby food because they enjoy its taste.
History
From Cookery for Children, Sarah Josepha Hale, 1852 [link]:
Commercial baby foods
Commercial prepared baby foods were first prepared by Dorothy Gerber in 1927 [link].
Note that many commercial baby foods, particularly meats, are largely filler material like cornstarch[[Citing sources citation needed]].
External links
- [Infant nutrition information] from Seattle Children's Hospital.
See also
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