What’s Better Homemade Or Store-Bought Baby Food?

Infants should receive only breastmilk during their first six months of life, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Depending on when your baby is developmentally ready, you can introduce baby foods around six months of age. When your baby is ready, they will sit upright with good head control, show interest in food, and open their mouth when offered food.

You can try combining the new food with what the baby already enjoys. When it comes to baby food, you can either make them at home or buy baby food products in India from stores. Though these store-bought foods are healthy and beneficial for babies, it is always better to check the ingredients present in the food.

Baby cereal is one of the most common first foods. You can start with single-ingredient cereals such as rice, oatmeal, or barley. A good source of iron is iron-fortified cereal, which is an essential first food for infants. The following tips can help you:

• You should provide soft, pureed foods. Also, you should avoid foods that could cause choking hazards, such as grapes and oranges.
• You should not give honey or cereal sweetened with honey to infants under 12 months of age due to botulism risk.
• Offer fruit puree instead of juice since it’s high in sugar and low in nutrients and may cause obesity.
• The baby may need up to ten attempts before accepting a new food.

A baby’s first experience with solids is exciting for both parents and baby. However, choosing the right baby food can be as daunting as choosing the right type of clothing or even more. As you introduce solids in the form of purées, you may be wondering if it’s best to use store-bought jars and pouches or to make them yourself in your kitchen? Find out which baby food is healthier and what parents need to know about baby food.

Which Is Healthier, Store-Bought Or Homemade Baby Food?

There is no need to worry about whether jarred or homemade baby food is healthy for your child. Many baby foods sold today contain natural and organic ingredients, as well as minimal additives. A jar of bananas and blueberries, for example, is likely to contain just bananas and blueberries, along with some lemon juice for flavor.

You can also make your own baby food if you prefer to use local ingredients, which is also a great idea. By making your own baby food, you can create new flavor combinations and introduce your child to a wider variety of foods than what is normally found in store-bought jars of baby food.

Buying Processed Baby Food VS Making Your Own

Jarred and homemade foods both have their advantages and disadvantages. Below are the advantages and disadvantages of buying processed food and home food for babies.

Advantages Of Homemade Baby Food

• Healthy and Delicious: It’s common to heat jarred baby foods to extreme temperatures to kill bacteria, which can also harm the nutrients. You can boost the immune system of your baby throughout the year by making homemade baby food with seasonal, fresh ingredients.

• Processed Less: The nutrients in homemade baby food are more intact because it is not processed like jarred items. Jarred baby foods can be thickened with starches to maintain their freshness, but they lack flavor. Homemade meals are much better for your baby in this regard.

• Budget-Friendly: You only have to pay for the ingredients you use; there are no manufacturing or packaging costs. You can save money and make food for your baby by combining different veggies and fruits.

• Well-Known Ingredients: You can prepare your baby food using fresh veggies and fruits, and hence you will know the ingredients that you put in the food. The baby can eat with the family and share the food.

Cons Of Homemade Baby Food

• Time Consuming: Making homemade baby food can take a lot of time. Although you aren’t preparing a three-course meal, making store-bought food is much faster and easier.

• Spoils Quickly: Homemade varieties tend to spoil more quickly. You can leave store-bought baby food on the shelf for more than a year without opening them. However, homemade baby food spoils very quickly. When stored in the fridge, it only lasts for a few days.

• Food Safety Remains a Concern: Premature children are more likely to suffer from foodborne illnesses. While making baby food at home, you need to use clean utensils and wash your hands.

• Ingredients Can Be Expensive To Buy: Some recipes require high-quality and specialized ingredients, which can be expensive. Additionally, suppose you cook for just yourself or a couple. In that case, you tend to purchase larger quantities of certain ingredients than you require because the bottles, containers, and packages aren’t small enough.

Benefits Of Store-Bought Baby Food

• Convenient: It can be time-consuming to steam and cook fruits and vegetables, which is why jarred baby food is a major time-saver for many busy parents. You can use optimal baby food for your child as it is healthy and has beneficial nutrients in it.

• Shelf-Life of the Product is Longer: The shelf life of unopened jars of commercial baby food is greater than a year, so there’s no rush to eat banana mash before it spoils.

• You Do Not Need to Invest in Additional Gadgets: It is not necessary to purchase a fancy baby food maker in order to make homemade purées, but many families do find themselves investing in new kitchen gadgets to make life easier.

Downsides of Store-Bought Baby Food

• It Can Be Costly: The price of jarred baby food can be high. But it also depends upon the manufacturer. There are some manufacturers who provide baby foods at an affordable price.

• It’s Less Eco-Friendly: There are some commercial baby food products that can be recycled, but sometimes the jars and pouches will end up in the landfill. However, not all companies are the same. There are some manufacturing companies available in the markets that offer environmentally friendly products.

Final Words

That’s all about baby food. All you need to ensure is that the food is safe and tastes good for your baby. Store-bought and homemade baby food both have benefits, so choose what makes the most sense for your child.