In 1928, the first can of baby food was sold by Gerber, says The New York Times. Instead of feeding homemade baby food, increasing numbers of parents turned to cans of strained, puréed fruits and vegetables. Available and affordable almost everywhere, canned baby food—along with breast milk and formula—soon nourished babies throughout the United States.
Today, many babies continue to subsist on pre-packaged foods. In an effort to regain control over what goes into their little ones’ bodies, some parents have brought baby food back into the home, creating tasty, nutritious meals using fresh ingredients and a few simple tools … and it doesn’t end there. Parents who desire a purer lifestyle have embraced the use of cloth diapers, all-natural cleaning products and homemade skin-care items, too.
What You’ll Find
The Basics: Consult Natural Baby™ for most of your little one’s needs. “Be Good to Baby” details the benefits of making your baby’s food, and “ABCs and 123s of Baby Food” explains the process from start to finish as well as cooking tips and equipment.
Recipes: There are recipes to feed your child every step of the way, from his or her first puréed meals (“Stage 1 Recipes”) to finger foods to grab and enjoy as a toddler (“Finger Food Recipes for Toddlers”). If you’re a fan of all-natural juices and smoothies, check out “Blend, Baby, Blend” for recipes and preparation tips.
Natural Baby Care: We’ve got you covered outside of the kitchen, too, with information on cloth diapers (“Cloth Diaper Basics”), breast-feeding (“Nature’s Milk”) and safe, natural home-cleaning products (“Clean the Green Way”).
Contents
Be Good to Baby
Why should you make your child’s food?
By Kyra Kirkwood
ABCs and 123s of Baby Food
Check out these helpful tips about gear and steps to begin making baby food at home.
By Nicole Sipe
Nature’s Milk
Learn about the health benefits that breast-feeding offers.
By Elizabeth McCaughey
Feeding the 6- to 9-Month-Old Baby
Stage 1 foods are all about exploring and having fun.
By Nicole Sipe
Cloth Diaper Basics
Discover the benefits of using cloth diapers for your baby.
By Lindsay Evans
Cooking for Your 9- to 12-Month-Old Child
Now you can begin feeding more complex foods.
By Lindsay Evans
Stage 2 Recipes
These recipes are ideal for 9- to 12-month-old babies.
By Lindsay Evans
Controversial Foods
You need to avoid some foods until checking with your doctor.
By Elizabeth McCaughey
Feeding Your Stage-3 Baby
Learn how and what to feed your 12- to 18-month-old.
By Kyra Kirkwood
Stage 3 Recipes
Try these meals with your 12- to 18-month-old baby.
By Kyra Kirkwood
The Dirty Dozen
Watch for the risk of pesticide residue on these fruits and vegetables.
By Amy K. Hooper
Finger Foods for Toddlers
Make mealtime a hands-on experience while introducing tastes and textures.
By Nancy Mann Jackson
Finger Food Recipes
Make healthy, easy-to-grasp foods for kids learning to use their hands.
By Nancy Mann Jackson
Blend, Baby, Blend
Juices and smoothies make healthy eating easy for you and your sprout.
By Kyra Kirkwood
Food Allergies Explained
Which foods should you avoid feeding your baby?
By Laura Doering
On the Go
These food-storage tips can keep your child happy and the backseat mess to a minimum.
By Laura Doering
Clean the Green Way
Use all-natural products for a safe home.
By Elizabeth McCaughey
Set a Skin-care Routine
Use natural, nonirritating products on your baby’s fragile skin.
By Lindsay Evans
Storage Solutions
Save time by refrigerating or freezing homemade baby food for later use.
By Laura Doering
Resources
Food for Thought
All Publications