Organic lifestyle for baby?

Question

I'm 24 and pregnant with my first child (single mom by choice), and I am attempting to live an organic lifestyle. I'm not doing as well with it as I was prior to being pregnant, but I am curious if there are any other moms out there who feed their children only organic food. I struggle with my weight some (have been both anorexic, and then overweight at different points), and have heard that during the first few years of life your eating habits are formed, and I want my child to have an easier time with food than I've had. I just have such an unhealthy relationship with food, and don't want my child to deal with the same issues. An opinions?

Answer 1

Well, congratulations on being pregnant. And for trying to take a healthier approach to eating for you and the baby. Yes, you do very much influence your child's eating habits and provide the eating behavior modeling for your child. And they will watch what you do, and be more influenced by that than by anything you say. I think when the time comes for your baby to start eating solid food, organic food is actually better for them. That's providing you can find it, and that the fresh foods are actually fresh. Gerber has a line of organic baby foods, but truth be told they are pretty conscientious about all the baby food. It comes to their factory directly from the farmer, and he's been contracted to grow for them. The farmer also has to accept their guidelines for growing the veggies they will be using. So as long as the baby food isn't containing preservatives and such, you could still feel good about what you are feeding your baby even if it's missing the "organic" label specifically. Before the baby is born, why not get with a registered dietician to help you design a diet that will work for you, which is healthy and well balanced. Then you will be modelling the behaviors you want baby to pick up from day one. Most children are curious to try whatever mom is eating- I know that was always the easiest way to get mine to try a new food. If you eat it, chances are good they will too. And please, don't apply the same fat standards you would apply to yourself to your growing child. Babies have a lot of growing to do that first couple years, and they actually do need a lot more fat than we do, in order to do it all. Trust your pedicatrician for guidance on the eating and weight, and don't worry if baby looks pudgy from time to time. They tend to pudge and grow, pudge and then grow. When mine were ready to make the leap from baby food to toddler food, I used part of the meal the rest of us were going to eat, and a food processor. I've tried to make primarily organic choices for the entire family, and that made me even more conscientous- since the toddler would also be eating it. Sometimes, though, I've been faced with not so fresh produce which was organic and fresh/frozen items that were not organic. Since in the end I wanted them to have the nutrition, in those cases I would choose the non-organic item. Nowdays it's getting easier, with the big companies adding organic things to their lines. Just keep in mind that as long as you control yourself, and model the behavior you want them to copy you will be doing all you can expect to do. Try to keep your personal bugaboos about food to yourself, and not project the worries onto the child. I think it can be done, but don't get too upset if you find yourself walking the line like I do, and sometimes having to choose the non-organic. And remember not to focus on the food/weight part, at least not where the child can see or hear. Good luck, and have have a happy healthy baby.

Answer 2

It's less expensive and there is actually more variety, I think to make your own. You get several servings out of a single vegetable or piece of fruit. I second the idea of freezing in ice cube trays. If you freeze it, it can be used for up to a year but it's best within 3-4 months, so the shelf life is pretty good. If you start feeding your baby at 6 months, then by 4 months later, he would be eating more table foods than baby food, anyway. By the way, you don't have to give cereal if you don't want to. Many people start with mashed avocado now. And if you have the money, then organic is DEFINITELY worth it. If you don't, it's not the end of the world.

Answer 3

My sister-n-law and brother have two kids (one is hers from a previous relationship, one is theres), and they try to live on a healthy, not 100% organic, diet. They love the store Trader Joe's. The store sells healthy foods, mostly organic, for a reasonable price.

To keep yourself on the right track, talk to your doctor and a dietician. Both can set you and the baby up on a healthy diet.