Why do alot of parents nowadays feed their babies almost exclusively from jars and tins?

Question

Wouldn't it be cheaper and better for baby to feed fresh food?

Answer 1

Yes, absolutely!! A baby who is *ready* for solid food is ready for food, and not so-called "baby food" mush.

The problem started a generation or two ago... Doctors were telling mothers that science had improved on nature and that mothers shouldn't nurse their babies. Instead, they should give this even better product they called formula.

Those same wonderful folks who brought you the formula that *wasn't* nutritious enough for babies stepped right up and started taking food and making it into mush. By processing it enough, just barely enough nutrition could be absorbed out of these so that babies didn't starve to death.

Today, doctors *know* (although won't always admit) that human milk is best for human babies. Formulas have improved to the point where most of them most of the time will provide acceptable nutrition for babies. So babies no longer *need* solids at 2 weeks old. In fact, it is well-known (and again, not always admitted) that babies should *not* have solids until they are *ready* for them. At that point, they can eat food instead of mush.

Well...formula was missing significant nutrients--either they hadn't yet been discovered, they weren't known to be necessary to raise a healthy baby, or nobody knew *how much* was needed. So a baby fed on formula alone could suffer serious malnutrition. Other foods were needed *very* early in life.

In the meantime, however, manufacturers have convinced mothers that even if they *don't* buy the jars and cans, they have to "make baby food"! A baby who is ready for solids doesn't need mush. You can offer a baby a piece of banana, and she/he can eat it. You don't need to even mash it with a fork. Or baby will be thrilled to get a little spoonful of cooked brown rice from the same pot that you are making it in for your own dinner. You can give a baby a bit of grated or lightly cooked apple or carrot in *pieces* and not spend hours cooking, mashing, processing, and freezing it first. But so many people have been misled by corporations whose primary goal is profits.

Answer 2

Personally I can make a weeks worth of baby food for my baby in less than an hour, and for less than $10. I make a great vegetable "mash" and freeze it in baby sized containers, one for each day, and prepare more as necessary. I think basically feeding from jars is lazy parenting or convenience for those who work as well as raise kids. Stay at home moms really have no excuse. Its amazing how many moms whine about having "no time". With a good "schedule" you can have time for anything. I have 2 boys at home under 5, and am due to have another in 8 weeks, and I have a super clean home, all the chores are done, do all my yardwork and still find time for 2 hours of reading time each afternoon to myself. My partner is often overseas for work (currently I haven't seen him since march), so it is possible to have kids, and have a life, without falling apart. The only time I use jarred or canned food is if travelling. And I agree, fresh is best.

Answer 3

I completly disagree with others that have previously answered your question. I have a 7 month old baby girl . Making your own baby food is more expensive rather than just buying it already made. However making it fresh daily can be a little healthier for the child if you have some good techniques. I do both whatever i have time for. I will say that the banannas from the jar that i fed my baby today were actually good because i tasted it myself.

Answer 4

Definitely out of convenience alone. I disagree that it isn't cheaper to make your own food, it just takes time. For early weaning with my firstborn I made weeks and weeks worth of baby food in advance for a tiny amount of cash, compared to jarred food. Not sure about this time around though, with a 2 year old and a new baby!

Answer 5

My daughter never did like baby food in jars so she always ate what I was eating. My son is now 3 months old, and I will feed him the same way. I know that I would not want to eat that nasty smelling jarred stuff.

Answer 6

It is not really cheaper to make baby food..I have a 9 month old and a 20 month old preparing fresh baby food is darn near impossible...Jarred is good enough for me.

Answer 7

My son never cared for the jarred crap, so I just mashed what we were eating. It worked really well, he is a great eater. Loves foods like broccoli, avacado, fresh fruits and veggies.

It is easy, definitely cheaper and much better for baby... I don't know why so many people don't make their own baby food.

Answer 8

Convenience. Baby food is OK...I've used all different brands and have never seen any preservatives, dyes, etc. in them. I tried the Earth's Best organic food with my second son, and he hated it, so we went back to Gerber.

I have my hands full with a 28 month old and a 12 month old, and I don't really have time to stand and make homemade babyfood when I'm also trying to cook dinner, do laundry, clean up toys, pay bills, etc. :)

Answer 9

I bought baby food for my older two children, with the middle two were born, I spent twenty dollars on a baby food grinder and made their baby good. I think they enjoyed it just fine, and it was nice cause they ate the same food we did. Introducing table foods was a lot easier, they were already eating them. I guess it is mostly personal choice.

Answer 10

They can eat the same food that you eat put it in the blender with some water make sure there is nothing that they can choke on.
I think it is All about Convenince in this day and Age