WHAT are the best food choices for your baby when you start introducing solids? Do you go for convenience, or do you obsess about knowing exactly what goes into your child’s body?

Some mothers wonder if home-made baby food is better than commercial baby food. Paediatrician at Gateway Plaza Dr Anona Griffith says that it is all a matter of choice.

“Choosing the appropriate foods for your baby can be a difficult decision for many parents, but whether you choose to make your own or go for organic-type bottled baby foods, it’s really up to you. Each has their advantages and disadvantages,” Dr Griffith reasoned.

Addressing parents who choose to make their own baby foods, Dr Griffith said that many Caribbean families have the benefit of fresh fruits and vegetables available all year round. She underscored that even with seasonality, a variety of fruits, vegetables and staples can be found in abundance.

“Home-made baby food allows the use of readily available foods at the peak of freshness. It also allows baby to be introduced to the typical flavours associated with his culture, as the foods prepared would be the same as those of the rest of the household. Additionally, there is the added advantage of not having to add preservatives or any other artificial products,” Dr Griffith said.

She pointed out that, in contrast, the available flavours in internationally produced commercial baby foods lack a Caribbean blend and often lose nutrients in preparation.

“The jarred variety may not include the foods typically found in certain cultures and as such may differ in flavours from those prepared at home. In addition, the jarred product, even though it uses foods at the peak of freshness and optimal nutritional value, require pasteurisation, which not only prolongs its shelf life but may also destroy some of the heat-sensitive nutrients.”

But she said that the need for a convenient, readily available, adequately portioned product cannot be ignored.

“Especially for working and single parents, a grab-and-go nutritious snack for children in its appropriate portion is offered with the jarred variety of baby foods. For hand preparation of infant food, parents often are challenged by the time needed for preparation, knowing exactly how much to portion for the child per serving, as well as finding the best equipment to facilitate ease of preparation and storage. Home-made baby foods also have a significantly shorter shelf life since they don’t contain preservatives,” Dr Griffith outlined.

Addressing one other major concern parents have with shelved baby foods — the source of food and vegetables — Dr Griffith said now fewer parents have to worry about their children consuming genetically modified and artificially flavoured foods.

“Many companies, having heard the concerns of parents, are now going for the alternative — organic foods. The only catch with this is that they are more expensive. However, admittedly, there will never be full reassurance for parents, and so many will opt for home preparation,” Dr Griffith said.

She advised parents who will go for home-made food to consider important elements such as source of food, starches and vegetables, as well as to ensure that for each meal they aim to nourish their babies with balanced healthy options in all the food groups.

— Penda Honeyghan