The Daily Balance

I tend to get a little ahead of myself. It’s a tragic downfall actually. If the Mister and I make plans, I get SO excited about said plans that I start to play it out in my mind — what I’ll wear, what I’ll order to eat, etc. If for whatever reason these plans don’t pan out, expect chaos. Seriously.

I’m getting better, but it’s still a struggle.

Same goes with my plans for Bean. I’ve shared our experience and preconceived notions on the swing, remember?

Ever since I got pregnant, I would smile with pride when explaining to others that I was going to make Bean’s baby food. OF COURSE I wanted to provide the highest quality, organic ingredients for my little one. OF COURSE I wanted to know where the food had come from. OF COURSE I wanted to be the perfect supermommy.

When I shared my plans with my pediatrician, he didn’t look at me with wonder and awe. What’s wrong with him, I thought?! Isn’t he impressed I’m willing to go the extra mile for Bean?

Taken straight from my pediatrician’s website: It is not necessarily healthier to make your own baby food because the FDA regulates the use of preservatives and pesticides more carefully for baby food than it does for the food that the rest of us eat. For example, pesticides like Alar have been eliminated from all baby foods.

So you mean making my own baby food isn’t healthier? And if the food is contiminated it’s MY fault? And I have to be extra, extra careful?

Yikes.

And as fast as I had ordered all the make-your-own-baby-food cookbooks and fun accessories, I started researching jarred baby food.

Because the Mister and I still feel rather strongly about quality of food, we decided to go with organic brands, such as Earth’s Best, Gerber Organics or Nature’s Basket (Giant Eagle organic brand).

Now instead of spending my spare time whipping up purreed food, I get to spend my time playing with my little monster.

win-win

If you are a mom/dad, do you make your own baby food? Why or why not?

4 Responses to “Why I’m not making my own baby food”

1. Amie said:

   I have been buying the gerber organic baby foods too. People assume that I’m going to make my own baby food just because I’m exclusively breastfeeding but I have no interest in it. Now, I am going to tell everyone who asks that my reason is making your own baby food isn’t healthier and talk about how the FDA baby food regulations!

   Posted on September 19, 2011 at 4:43 pm | Reply
2. Diana @ frontyardfoodie said:

   I haven’t ever bought baby food because A. it’s a mega ripoff….B. I definitely don’t trust the FDA and C. making baby food is uber easy.

   I started Avery on solids when he turned six months and we started with a sweet potato. Believe it or not he liked the soft little chunks the best! I gave purees occasionally but mostly I just mashed up food. We did bananas, sweet potatoes, oatmeal, avocados and such at first and now that he’s one we do all sorts of food!

   Posted on September 20, 2011 at 10:31 am | Reply
3. Brianne said:

   I agree with Diana. I have never purchased baby food and I don’t spend time make purees, I just mash up simple food. Once he got a couple teeth I just mashed up what we had and didn’t add salt or sugar to his dish.

   Although the FDA may regulate pesticides lots of baby food has additives and since the food is not fresh is doesn’t have as many vitamins as homemade food. Also since we buy organic for us our baby food doesn’t have pesticides either. I maybe spend 30 mins a week making baby food every couple of weeks.

   Posted on September 20, 2011 at 1:47 pm | Reply
4. life and kitchen said:

   I made baby food for a little bit but no longer do because organic produce is so expensive around here that I can buy Earth’s Best for cheaper than the actual produce. And, obviously, grabbing a jar is much easier than making the food, so it saves me time. And Lily loves Earth’s Best, so it works for us! I wait until it goes on sale and stock up

   Posted on September 20, 2011 at 3:25 pm | Reply