Debunking Baby Food Myths

Take a stroll down the baby food aisle at your local grocery store and you might be overwhelmed by all the options. Parents tend to believe that there's something special about commercially made baby food, says Dr. Brown. That's a myth; in fact, most of the regular food on your table every night is probably just fine for your infant to eat.

But parents are afraid to try feeding their babies food from their plates. Dr. Brown offers this reassurance: "It's perfectly fine to offer food with your spices and the way you've prepared the foods so that your baby learns to acquire your palate."

By pureeing food in a blender for your baby, you control exactly what your infant eats. "None of the baby food manufacturers have been found to be completely honest or accurate about what is in their products," warns Dr. Charles Shubin, Director of Childrens Health Center and Mercy FamilyCare.

Just be careful with the food preparation; practice good food hygiene, especially when making food for infants, who often have sensitive digestive systems. Always wash your hands, scrub bowls and utensils thoroughly, keep food hot or cold as indicated, and cook food thoroughly.

Also, remember to keep textures and size of the food items safe so that they're not choking hazards. "Fruit offered to your baby should be stewed and strained to a creamy consistency" to start, says Lanou. Dr. Brown agrees, and offers this advice to her patients: "You're working your way progressively down on the textures: puree down to chunky and then bite-sized pieces," says Dr. Brown.